Anhydrataateists

Anhydrataateists is a fictional philosophical and cultural movement described in speculative fiction, world-building guides, and game lore. The name fuses anhydro- (without water) with atheist, signaling a worldview that treats the symbolism of dryness and empirical reasoning as central to understanding reality rather than any theistic framework. In many narratives, Anhydrataateists are portrayed as advocates of naturalism who reject supernatural explanations while emphasizing clarity, restraint, and resilience in thought and life.

Beliefs: They hold that reality can be understood through observation, reason, and scientific methods, and they reject deities or miracles as explanations. Dryness functions as a metaphor for intellectual discipline and ethical seriousness. They critique water-centric mythologies as cultural artifacts that shape ritual and power, while endorsing human welfare, ecological stewardship, and social cooperation as the core of ethics.

Practices and organization: The movement is typically depicted as decentralized, with informal networks of scholars and hobbyists rather than a centralized church. Practices emphasize rational discourse, public education on science and sustainability, and, in some settings, symbolic metaphors of dryness such as seasonal retreats during droughts or discussions framed around water scarcity to highlight resource ethics. Rituals, when present, tend toward secular ceremonies that celebrate inquiry rather than worship.

History and influence: Origin stories vary by author, but most accounts place the birth of Anhydrataateists in late modern or speculative-future societies grappling with climate stress and information overload. In fiction, the group is used to explore tensions between credulity and skepticism, as well as the social implications of environmental governance. Critics argue that the label reduces complex belief systems to a single symbol; supporters see value in a provocative lens for examining secular ethics.

See also: atheism, secularism, environmental ethics, fictional religions.