ateos

Ateos is the plural form of the noun and adjective ateo in Spanish and other Romance languages, used to describe a person who does not believe in the existence of God or gods. The masculine singular is ateo, the feminine singular atea, the masculine plural ateos, and the feminine plural ateas. The term appears in everyday speech as well as in sociology, philosophy, and religious studies.

The word derives from Greek atheos, literally “without a god,” from a- (without) + theos (god). It entered Latin and then Romance languages, acquiring its current gendered forms through standard inflection in Spanish and Portuguese, among others.

Usage and nuance: In contemporary contexts, ateos is typically a neutral descriptive label for non-believers, though tone can vary by context and speaker. It is distinct from agnostic, which concerns knowledge rather than belief, and from antitheistic or strong atheism, which oppose belief in gods. Some people who identify as non-religious prefer terms such as secular, humanist, or non-believer rather than “atheist.”

Demographics and culture: The visibility and social acceptance of atheism vary widely by country and culture. In many Western nations, non-religious identities have grown alongside secular movements, while in other regions social or legal pressures can make open identification as atheist more difficult.

History: Atheistic ideas exist across cultures and eras, from ancient philosophical critiques of superstition to modern secularist and humanist movements. Contemporary discussions often address the relationship between religion, science, education, and civil rights for non-believers.

See also: atheism; secularism.