"My atheism, like that of Spinoza, is true piety towards the universe and denies only gods fashioned by men in their own image, to be servants of their human interests"

This quote by George Santayana speaks to the idea of real piety towards deep space, and the rejection of gods developed by people in their own image. Santayana's atheism resembles that of Spinoza, in that it is a type of reverence for deep space, rather than a rejection of religion. By rejecting gods developed by people, Santayana is rejecting the concept that human beings can control or manipulate deep space to serve their own interests. Rather, he is promoting for a more modest method to deep space, one that acknowledges its power and mystery. He is recommending that true piety is found in accepting deep space as it is, instead of trying to flex it to our will. This quote speaks to the concept that human beings ought to not try to manage deep space, however rather accept it and discover reverence in its charm and complexity.