Atheism

AtheismImplicitExplicit3

Light Bends from the Beyond

Campolo Lecture

JSJoseSaramago

Epikouros BM 1843

Atheism is the absence of belief in the existence of deities. Unlike theism, which is the belief in one or more gods, atheism is not a belief system but rather a position or stance regarding theism. Atheists range from those who actively deny the existence of gods to those who simply do not believe in gods due to a lack of evidence. The concept of atheism varies across different cultures and languages, but it generally revolves around skepticism towards religious beliefs.

Definitions and distinctions

Atheism is often defined in terms of theism. The prefix a- in the word atheism originates from the Greek language and means "without", thus atheism translates to "without gods". There are two broad categories of atheism: explicit atheism and implicit atheism. Explicit atheism is the conscious rejection or denial of the existence of gods, often based on arguments against religious beliefs. Implicit atheism, on the other hand, refers to a lack of belief in gods without a conscious rejection of it, which can include young children and people who have never been exposed to the concept of a deity.

History

The history of atheism can be traced back to ancient civilizations, such as the Greeks and the Romans, where philosophical skepticism and materialism questioned the existence of deities and the supernatural. During the Enlightenment, atheism became more prominent as a result of scientific discovery and philosophical rationalism challenging traditional religious views. In the 20th century, atheism gained further recognition and acceptance within societies, particularly in secular countries.

Arguments for atheism

Arguments for atheism typically involve philosophical debate, scientific explanations of the universe, and criticisms of religious texts. Philosophical arguments often focus on the problem of evil, the argument from inconsistent revelations, and the argument from nonbelief. Scientifically, atheists may point to the lack of empirical evidence for the existence of deities and the ability of natural sciences to explain phenomena traditionally attributed to divine intervention.

Demographics

The global distribution of atheism varies widely. In some countries, particularly in Western Europe and East Asia, atheism is common and socially accepted. In other regions, such as the Middle East and North Africa, atheism is rare and can be associated with social stigma or even legal sanctions. Surveys and studies on religious belief indicate that the percentage of atheists is rising in many parts of the world, as societies become more secular and religious affiliation declines.

Atheism and society

The relationship between atheism and society is complex and varies by culture and geography. In secular societies, atheists often advocate for the separation of church and state and promote secularism as a means to ensure freedom of religion and freedom from religion for all citizens. In more religious societies, atheists may face discrimination or persecution. Atheism has also influenced various social and political movements, including humanism, rationalism, and secularism.

Criticism and opposition

Atheism has been criticized and opposed on various grounds. Some argue that atheism leads to moral relativism and a lack of ethical standards, while others claim that atheism is intellectually untenable or spiritually empty. Religious apologists often argue for the necessity of a deity or deities in explaining the existence of the universe, the complexity of life, or the presence of moral laws.

See also

• Agnosticism
• Secular humanism
• Freethought
• Irreligion