Atheists with surnames starting L to M, sortable by the field for which they are mainly known and nationality.
| Name | Dates | Known as / for | Who | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landis, JohnJohn Landis | 1950– | American Film Director | Director of movies such as The Blues Brothers, An American Werewolf in London and Animal House. | "I'm an atheist and I certainly don't believe or care about Satan or Jesus". Stated in a radio interview on BBC 5, 29 Oct 2010. | |
| Larsson, StiegStieg Larsson | 1954–2004 | Swedish journalist | Author of the Millennium Trilogy and the founder of the anti-racist magazine Expo. Larsson specifically requested that no religious ceremonies should be held at his funeral. | "I was an atheist and won't feel any better because of religious ceremonies". | |
| Laporte, LeoLeo Laporte | 1956– | American technology broadcaster, author, and entrepreneur. | Owner and operator of the netcast network, TWiT.tv. | "I'm an atheist. I certainly don't hate Christians, even if I don't share their beliefs. I was a believer at one time - who knows, I may find cause some day to believe again." | |
| McGowan, BarryBarry McGowan | 1961– | Author of How to Separate Church & State | |||
| Lee, BruceBruce Lee | 1940–1973 | Chinese martial artist, actor, and taoist philosopher | Author of books like The Tao of Jeet Kune Do and star of film movies like The Big Boss and Enter the Dragon. | John Little states that Lee was an atheist. When asked in 1972 what his religious affiliation was, he replied "none whatsoever." Also in 1972, when asked if he believed in God, he responded, "To be perfectly frank, I really do not." | |
| Lee, GeddyGeddy Lee | 1953– | Singer | Lead singer and front man of Canadian progressive rock band Rush. | "I consider myself a Jew as a race, but not so much as a religion. I’m not down with religion at all. I’m a Jewish atheist, if that’s possible… I celebrate the holidays in the sense that my family gets together for the holidays and I like being a part of that. So I observe the 'getting together' aspect. | |
| Lewis, MichaelMichael Lewis | 1960– | American financial journalist and non-fiction author | Liar's Poker, Moneyball, The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game and The Big Short | Lewis self-identified as an atheist in his nonfiction book Boomerang. While researching the book, he speaks with a priest. Priest: "But what is your religion?" Lewis: "I don't have one." Priest: "But you believe in God?" Lewis: "No." |
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| MacFarlane, SethSeth MacFarlane | 1973– | American comedian, actor, writer, producer, singer | Creator of Family Guy, American Dad, The Cleveland Show | "I do not believe in God. I'm an atheist. I consider myself a critical thinker, and it fascinates me that in the 21st century most people still believe in, as George Carlin puts it, 'the invisible man living in the sky'" | |
| Marois, PaulinePauline Marois | 1949– | Canadian politician | Premier of Quebec (2012-) | ||
| McKellen, Sir IanSir Ian McKellen | 1939– | Actor | English actor and gay rights activist. | "I have been reluctant to lobby on other issues I most care about - nuclear weapons (against), religion (atheist), capital punishment (anti), AIDS (fund-raiser) because I don't want to be forever spouting, diluting the impact of addressing my most urgent concern: legal and social equality for gay people worldwide." | |
| Montoya, MelissaMelissa Montoya | 1980– | Public Figure, Activist | Founding member of the National Atheist Party, a 527 organization, currently serving as Assistant state chapter leader for the state of CA. Community organizer and Freethought leader. Environmental activist and an assistant to state assembly member Steve Fox - CA 36th. | "I deny the holy spirit and denounce the hate and fear taught in the bible. Keep your creepy imaginary friends to yourself!" "As a wee little one I was not told about the gods. It was not until later that I was informed of these magical creatures and their stories. I investigated the claims and found them wanting in irreconcilable ways and struggled to find my place for some time..." | |
| Mao Zedong, Mao Zedong | 1893–1976 | Politician | Chinese military and political leader, who led the Communist Party of China to victory in the Chinese Civil War, and was the leader of the People’s Republic of China from its establishment in 1949 until his death in 1976. Under his leadership, China officially became an atheist state. | "Mao is not only a historical figure, of course, but is part of the (tattered) web of legitimacy on which the People's Republic rests. He is part of the founding mythology of the Chinese government, the Romulus and Remus of "People's China," and that's why his portrait hangs in Tiananmen Square. Even among ordinary Chinese, Mao retains a hold on the popular imagination, and some peasants in different parts of China have started traditional religious shrines honoring him. That's the ultimate honor for an atheist - he has become a god." | |
| Sean MurphySean Murphy | 1960– | American comics writer/artist | Hellblazer: City of Demons, Joe the Barbarian, American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest | Discussing his series Punk Rock Jesus in 2012: "Over my evolution from Catholic to atheist, I've inhabited a number of different outlooks, and many of the characters embody those roles." |
Famous quotes containing the word list:
“Weigh what loss your honor may sustain
If with too credent ear you list his songs,
Or lose your heart, or your chaste treasure open
To his unmastered importunity.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)