Ellen Johnson, President van de organisatie American Atheists van 1995 tot 2008, activiste voor de rechten van atheïsten en scheiding van kerk en staat in de Verenigde Staten.

Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumoured by many. Do not believe in anything because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find anything that agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.

~ Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)