Any brute will demand his right to be a law unto himself, beating his wife and his children as he pleases, and defend that right with his father’s ri… - Kage Baker

That wasn't very godly, Alec calls up to him.
And what has God to do with me? Nicholas shouts back. No voices speak to me out of any burning bush. No word at all. Hideous vacancy, monstrous indifference, and a senseless universe!
Well, says Alec cautiously, I would think that was a good thing. Shouldn't you have grown out of this by now? What do you want meaning in the universe for, anyway? Nothing means anything! We're just here to go along for the adventure.

When will you stop this metaphysical nonsense? said Edward wearily. But I suppose you've no other way to look at the matter, born as you were in an age of superstitious piety.

Oh, that's childish, says Nicholas in disgust.
Well, so what? says Alec. We happen to be children.