Thank Goodness by Dan Dennett

Thank Goodness by Dan Dennett

This is a piece that came out in 2006 written by one of the "New Atheists" (and a Tufts professor!) on the phrase "Thank God." It was written after an emergency hospital experience.

"I saw with greater clarity than ever before in my life that when I say "Thank goodness!" this is not merely a euphemism for "Thank God!" (We atheists don't believe that there is any God to thank.) I really do mean thank goodness! There is a lot of goodness in this world, and more goodness every day, and this fantastic human-made fabric of excellence is genuinely responsible for the fact that I am alive today. It is a worthy recipient of the gratitude I feel today, and I want to celebrate that fact here and now."

Article