1 Atheism Atheists do not believe in any god, and their strong claims are of importance just like the ones of the other religions. Notably, being a follower of this religion is not a choice, but as a result of what one knows and the manner he or she reasons. As in many religions, such as Christianity, atheists take responsibility, and there are various benefits of being a follower. The number of atheists in the U.S. has been on the rise. Notably, 3.1% of the adults claim that they are atheists when asked about their religions. Besides, an additional 4% are agnostics. Most of the Atheists are male and other individuals at middle age. About 53% of the Americans believe that it is not a must to believe in God to be moral, whereas 45% argues that faith in God is essential in shaping good values (Lipka n.p.). Indeed, Atheism has undergone some developments from the time it was established, and the followers of the religion practice different rituals and beliefs, which differ from those of the Christians. The Carvaka Indian School was the most atheistic and materialistic in the 6th century. The institution was against the doctrine of Vedas and the notion that a creationist god exists. Notably, other Indian philosophies that were atheistic include the Purva Mimamsa as well as Orthodox Classical Samkhya schools. Although Buddhism, as well as Jainism, rejected the belief of an individual god, they are not Atheists. In western countries, Atheism can be dated back to the times of pre-Socratic Greek philosopher who introduced the concept that the universe can be viewed as a self-reliant scheme (Baggini 110). Diagoras of Melos is believed to be the first atheist who strongly criticized Christianity and mysticism. The atomist philosophers who lived in the 5th century tried to portray the world in a mundane way without referring to spiritual and mystical. Remarkably, Epicurus expounded the problem of Evil that is against the belief that there will be life after death. In ancient times, Atheism faced some difficulties with the executions of Anaxagoras and Socrates in the 5th century (Kennedy 13). In the 1st century, Lucretius a follower of Epicurus claimed that gods were not concerned with humanity and cannot affect the natural world. The meaning of atheism changed over the classical antiquity (Arguments for Atheism). At that time, Christians were labelled as atheists as they did not believe in the pagan Roman gods (Bremmer). However, the situation was reversed when Christianity became the state religion of Rome under the leadership of Emperor Theodosius in 381 AD. In the 19th century, Atheism religion was still active even with the absence of Napoleon. The religion was present, and people were practicing it. Percy Shelley was kicked out of Oxford in 1811 for his atheist opinions (Wroe 43). Besides, the early feminists of England and the U.S. considered religion as a barrier to women’s’ rights. In the 19th century, after concentrating on the natural w.

1. 1
Atheism
Atheists do not believe in any god, and their strong claims
are of importance just like the ones of the other religions.
Notably, being a follower of this religion is not a choice, but as
a result of what one knows and the manner he or she reasons. As
in many religions, such as Christianity, atheists take
responsibility, and there are various benefits of being a
follower. The number of atheists in the U.S. has been on the
rise. Notably, 3.1% of the adults claim that they are atheists
when asked about their religions. Besides, an additional 4% are
agnostics. Most of the Atheists are male and other individuals at
middle age. About 53% of the Americans believe that it is not a
must to believe in God to be moral, whereas 45% argues that
faith in God is essential in shaping good values (Lipka n.p.).
Indeed, Atheism has undergone some developments from the
time it was established, and the followers of the religion
practice different rituals and beliefs, which differ from those of
the Christians.
The Carvaka Indian School was the most atheistic and
materialistic in the 6th century. The institution was against the
doctrine of Vedas and the notion that a creationist god exists.
Notably, other Indian philosophies that were atheistic include
the Purva Mimamsa as well as Orthodox Classical Samkhya
schools. Although Buddhism, as well as Jainism, rejected the
belief of an individual god, they are not Atheists. In western
countries, Atheism can be dated back to the times of pre-
Socratic Greek philosopher who introduced the concept that the
universe can be viewed as a self-reliant scheme (Baggini 110).
Diagoras of Melos is believed to be the first atheist who
strongly criticized Christianity and mysticism. The atomist

2. philosophers who lived in the 5th century tried to portray the
world in a mundane way without referring to spiritual and
mystical. Remarkably, Epicurus expounded the problem of Evil
that is against the belief that there will be life after death. In
ancient times, Atheism faced some difficulties with the
executions of Anaxagoras and Socrates in the 5th century
(Kennedy 13). In the 1st century, Lucretius a follower of
Epicurus claimed that gods were not concerned with humanity
and cannot affect the natural world.
The meaning of atheism changed over the classical
antiquity (Arguments for Atheism). At that time, Christians
were labelled as atheists as they did not believe in the pagan
Roman gods (Bremmer). However, the situation was reversed
when Christianity became the state religion of Rome under the
leadership of Emperor Theodosius in 381 AD. In the 19th
century, Atheism religion was still active even with the absence
of Napoleon. The religion was present, and people were
practicing it. Percy Shelley was kicked out of Oxford in 1811
for his atheist opinions (Wroe 43). Besides, the early feminists
of England and the U.S. considered religion as a barrier to
women’s’ rights. In the 19th century, after concentrating on the
natural world, Darwin eliminated the obstacles that were
preventing people from not believing in God. He is the one who
made it possible to be an intellectually fulfilled atheist
(Dembski).
In the 20th century, Atheism was recognized by several
philosophies, such as secular humanism, Marxism, and
objectivism. Besides, there was a political advancement of the
religion when Soviet Russia became the world’s first atheistic
state. Afterwards, the Albanian administration announced the
closure of all other religions, and by 1970, all nations that were
behind Iron Curtain were all atheistic. In the current world,
some countries, such as China, Russia, France, Germany,
Vietnam, Japan, have registered the most significant number of
non-believers. In 2015, 11% of the world’s total population
were atheists (Mehta n.p.). Over time, the number of people

3. who claim to be not supporting any religion has been
increasing.
Various Aesthetic religions are against the existence of God.
Firstly, the Rationalism approaches life from reason and
evidence. Religion encourages all ideas that can be tested by
experience. Since people are encouraged to think for
themselves, they have diverse ideas. Rationalists believe that
there is no evidence of God and the current state of the world is
a result of the evolution theory. Also, they argue that people
should have their fundamental rights together with other
animals since they are all living. The rationalists also encourage
an open society where everyone can express his or her views
without any barriers ("Religion: Atheism n.p."). Their logo is
based on Rodins, the thinker.
Secondly, Unitarian Universalism is a religious movement
that most atheists fit in. The group supports the importance of
one's freedom of belief. Notably, it started in the 18th century
as a demonstration against some Christian doctrines. Members
are free to develop their concepts of Gods, which are
meaningful to them. In their churches, they do not mention God
but emphasize human, ethical and social issues. The religion
claims that there is only life that we are currently living in.
Notably, Unitarian Universalism argues that there is wisdom in
most of the religions and each type is essential on what it can
tell about the universe as well as humanity.
Thirdly, Postmodernism does not focus on the issues that
Christians terms as essential. The religion believes that there
are no universal religions or ethical laws, and the current
cultural context shapes everything at a particular place, time,
and community. In general, the group believe that religion is a
human-made phenomenon. The members of the religion select
the bits of various spiritualties and create their internal spiritual
world ("Religion: Atheism n.p.").
For instance, some Japanese considers the ideas of Shinto as
well as Buddhist in their religious life. Besides, in India there
exist individuals who believe in Buddhism together with other

4. tribes.
Furthermore, the fourth religion under Atheism is
Secularism that focuses on education. They believe that
religious schools damage the prospects of a harmonious and
diverse community. Secularists are not against the right to have
religious faith but on the acts of providing special treatment to
particular religious beliefs and organizations. They believe that
the provisions of the numerous laws are enough to protect
individuals from assaults. Notably, they attribute the reduced
number of numbers of individuals who attend church to their
diminished faith. Some of the secularists are believers, and they
believe that they should not be treated in a special way due to
their religion ("Religion: Atheism n.p."). Charles Bradlaugh was
the founder of the Britains’s National Secular society.
Lastly, Humanism approaches the world, thoughts, as well
as hopes in a positive way. The followers believe that
knowledge and ethical principles to abide by are derived from
human and rational thinking. Notably, they are against the
notion that gods reveal knowledge. Many humanists claim that
paranormal beings are not in existence. Instead, the physical
universe is the only thing that exists. Besides, they trust that
one can use science to understand the world in a better way, and
people live once ("Religion: Atheism"). Besides, they trust that
individuals’ history, personal experience, and thoughts are the
significant source s of moral codes.
In addition, Atheists practice various rituals. Atheists'
weddings allow more personalization in comparison to religious
ones. In many nations, Humanist weddings ceremonies are not
legal, and a civil ceremony is a requirement. Moreover, religion
welcomes new babies into both the family and society. In the
funerals, the life of the dead is remembered as well as the
reflections on their contributions to the world. (Weddings and
Civil Partnerships)
Christians and Atheists share some beliefs. Notably, the two
adopt the notion that the bible is unreliable. Many atheists
ridicule the numerous supernatural stories in the bible.

5. However, Rachel Held who is an author encourages the
believers to focus on the theological points that are taught by
the Scripture. Moreover, one of the primary reason that makes
Atheists be non-believers is the issue of evil and suffering. On
the other hand, Abrahamic religions have been faced by the
same dilemma wondering the manner evil exists with the
presence of God. As a result, many Christians, Muslims, and
Jews end up changing their religions. For instance, many
individuals may term God as an utter maniac because he allows
many miseries to strike the world, such as Cancer. However, for
some individuals, the issue of evil increases the faith in God,
whereas, the problem causes more destruction and disbelief in
others. In addition, many Atheists believe that a deed is right or
wrong based on its impacts on the well-being of humanity. As a
result, the view of morality follows some social norms since it
fails to consider God. The same problem faces Christians in
consideration that the Bible lacks the power of influencing
individuals. Some Christians judge their actions through
personal conscience, opinions, and preferences.
Furthermore, Atheists and believers agree that living
organisms may change over time for them to adapt to their
surrounding environment. However, differences arise with the
macroevolution issue since Atheists believe that the process
creates new life forms. The believers disagree with this as they
believe in the creator. Both religions agree that the universe
started from somewhere, which is commonly referred to as the
Bing Bang. Also, Atheists and believers share some objective
morals, such as the act of murder is wrong. There are good
people on both sides who have done great things to help the
world. Remarkably, the significant difference is that believers
believe in God whereas that is not the case among the atheists.
In summary, Atheism is a popular religion with many followers
all over the world. Just like Judaism, atheists have their reason
for associating themselves with their faith. Atheism was
founded before the 5th century. The regions had been faced by
many challenges in its journey of gaining its current popularity

6. including the execution of its leaders in the 5th century.
Recently, Atheism is an independent religion just like
Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Various religions fall under
Atheism, such as Rationalism, Unitarian Universalism,
Postmodernism, Secularism, and Humanism. As noted,
Believers and atheists share some beliefs, but their main
difference is that the former believes in God, whereas the latter
does not.
Works Cited
Baggini, Julian. Atheism. Sterling Publishing Company, Inc,
2009, p. 110.
Kennedy, J. B. The Musical Structure of Plato's Dialogues.
Routledge, 2014, p. 13.
Lipka, Michael. "10 Facts about Atheists". Pew Research
Center, 2016, www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/06/01/10-
facts-about-atheists/.
The Argument from Ignorance - Arguments for the Existence of
God - Arguments for Atheism,
www.argumentsforatheism.com/history.html.
Bremmer, J. N. (2006). Atheism in Antiquity. In M. Martin
(Ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Atheism (pp. 11-26).
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Dembski, William A., and Jonathan Wells. How to Be an
Intellectually Fulfilled Atheist. Foundation for Thought and
Ethics, 2008.
Mehta, Hemant. "Global Survey Finds 63% Of World’s
Population Is Religious, While 11% are “Convinced Atheists”".
Friendly Atheist, 2015,
friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2015/04/12/global-survey-
finds-63-of-worlds-population-is- religious-while-11-are-
convinced-atheists/.
"Religion: Atheism". BBC,
www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/atheism/.
Wroe, Ann. "The Necessity of Atheism: Two Hundred Years
Young". The Keats-Shelley Review, vol 26, no. 1, 2012, p.

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“Religions - Atheism: Weddings and Civil Partnerships.” BBC,
BBC, 27 Oct. 2009,
www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/atheism/ritesrituals/weddings.
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