Can anyone identify this quote?

[Ipecac]

"Unless you assume a God, the question about life’s purpose is meaningless." supposedly said by Bertrand Russell.

I haven't been able to find any evidence that he ever wrote or said this. It's being used by Christians and I suspect it's taken wildly out of context, if he ever said it at all.

Thanks.

[mummymonkey]

Near the start of this famous debate an exchange takes place which may well be the source of this quote.

Link to debate (http://www.bringyou.to/apologetics/p20.htm)

[Ipecac]

Thanks, mummymonkey. That may be it. Here's the relevant section:

C: Would you agree with me that the problem of God is a problem of great importance? For example, would you agree that if God does not exist, human beings and human history can have no other purpose than the purpose they choose to give themselves, which -- in practice -- is likely to mean the purpose which those impose who have the power to impose it?

R: Roughly speaking, yes, though I should have to place some limitation on your last clause.


C is Father Frederick C. Copleston (Jesuit Catholic priest). R is of course Bertrand Russell (agnostic philosopher).

I think the quote I posted does fall under "quoted inaccurately and out of context." Sheesh.

[triadboy]

Just slightly out of context :rolleyes: