Carl Sagan, Amerikaanse astronoom en populariseerder van wetenschap.

Only because the people see
So much in land and sky
For which they do not know the cause,
They think Divinities are working there.
If they could but see that
Nothing can be created from nothing,
Then they would advance one more step
Toward the answer that they seek:
Those eternal elements became
Everything that is,
Without interference from Gods.

~ Lucretius, 60 v. Chr.