Ricky Gervais gave a defense of atheism on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. The British comedian and actor is an outspoken atheist, and Colbert is somewhat of a rarity in comedic circles: a devout Catholic. Unlike similar conversations with Bill Maher, this was far more gracious than it was testy.

Ricky Gervais has never been shy about sharing his beliefs. (Photo: Getty Images)

So this is atheism in a nutshell, said Gervais. You say, Theres a god. I say, You can prove that? You say, No. I say, I dont believe you then. So you believe in one god, I assume but there are 3,000 to choose from So basically, you believe in you deny one less god than I do. You dont believe in 2,999 gods. And I dont believe in just one more.

Colbert explained that his gratitude for existence needs to be expressed and winds up being directed toward God. Gervais explained his gratitude for existence is displayed in an appreciation for scientific discovery. We want to make sense of nature and science. It is too unfathomable everything in the universe was once crunched in some small atom, said Gervais. But you dont know that, Colbert interjected. Youre just believing Stephen Hawking, and thats a matter of faith in his abilities. You dont know it yourself. Youre accepting that because someone told you.

Stephen Colbert is a rarity in comedic circles for his deep Catholic faith. (Photo: Getty Images)

Gervais then explained why Colberts argument wasnt compelling to him, and did so in such a succinct manner that Colbert had to give him credit. You see, if we take something like any fiction and any holy book and any other fiction and destroyed it, in 1,000 years time, that wouldnt come back just as it was, Gervais pointed out. Whereas if we took every science book and every fact and destroyed them all, in 1,000 years theyd all be back, because all the same tests would be the same result. Thats good, Colbert acknowledged. Thats really good.

Previously on Colbert: Jon Stewart Reveals Trumps Next Executive Order:

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Ricky Gervais and Stephen Colbert Debate Atheism - Yahoo TV (blog)