ateism

Atheism is the absence of belief in deities or the view that gods do not exist. The term is used to describe a stance on belief rather than knowledge; some define atheism as a positive assertion that no gods exist (strong or explicit atheism), while others describe it as a lack of belief in any deity (weak or implicit atheism). Atheism is distinct from agnosticism, which addresses what can be known about gods, whereas atheism concerns what one believes about gods.

Historically, criticism of religious claims can be traced to ancient skeptics, and modern atheism developed in Europe during the Enlightenment and the freethought movement. The 19th and 20th centuries saw the rise of scientific naturalism, secularism, and organized atheist or secularist groups. In contemporary discourse, atheism is often linked with humanism and secular ethics, though atheists hold diverse philosophical views.

Self-described atheists constitute varying shares of the population by country, higher in parts of Europe and East Asia and lower in many predominantly religious regions. Atheism intersects with broader secular or liberal agendas, including church-state separation, freedom of belief, and science education. Attitudes toward atheism range from social acceptance to discrimination in some locales.

Many atheists ground ethics in secular philosophy, social contract theory, or concern for well-being rather than divine command. Debates about morality, meaning, and the origin of the universe continue within and outside atheism. Various organizations advocate for secularism and freethought, and atheism remains a central element in broader discussions of religion and society.