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[File:Implict atheism and explicit atheism.png|thumbnail|A diagram showing the relationship between the definitions of [[weak atheism]]/[[strong atheism]] and Implicit/explicit atheism.  See also: [[Definition of atheism]] ]]

[[File:Implict atheism and explicit atheism.png|thumbnail|A diagram showing the relationship between the definitions of [[weak atheism]]/[[strong atheism]] and Implicit/explicit atheism.  See also: [[Definition of atheism]] ]]

'implicit atheism''' and 'explicit atheism''' are types of [[atheism]] coined by the atheist George H. Smith. Smith belonged to the [[Objectivism|objectivist]] school of atheist thought.<ref>[http://www.anthonyflood.com/smithatheism.htm Rebuttal of George S. Smith's book Atheism: The Case Against God]</ref> See also: [[Schools of atheist thought]].

'''Implicit atheism''' and '''explicit atheism''' are types of [[atheism]] coined by the atheist George H. Smith. Smith belonged to the [[Objectivism|objectivist]] school of atheist thought.<ref>[http://www.anthonyflood.com/smithatheism.htm Rebuttal of George S. Smith's book Atheism: The Case Against God]</ref> See also: [[Schools of atheist thought]].

Implicit atheism as defined by Smith is "the absence of theistic belief without a conscious rejection of it", while explicit atheism is "the absence of theistic belief due to a conscious rejection of it".ref Smith, George H. (1979). Atheism: The Case Against God. Buffalo, New York: Prometheus. pp. 13–18. ISBN 0-87975-124-X.</ref>

 

The concept of implicit atheism is related to the concept of [[weak atheism]]. Weak atheism is an individual merely lacking a belief in God/gods. Using this broad definition of definition of ateism, there are atheists who assert that babies are atheists.ref>[https://carm.org/are-babies-born-atheists Are babies born atheists?] by Matt Slick</ref   

Implicit atheism as defined by Smith is "the absence of theistic belief without a conscious rejection of it", while explicit atheism is "the absence of theistic belief due to a conscious rejection of it".<ref> Smith, George H. (1979). Atheism: The Case Against God. Buffalo, New York: Prometheus. pp. 13–18. ISBN 0-87975-124-X.</ref>

 

The concept of implicit atheism is related to the concept of [[weak atheism]]. Weak atheism is an individual merely lacking a belief in God/gods. Using this broad definition of definition of atheism, there are atheists who assert that babies are atheists.<ref>[https://carm.org/are-babies-born-atheists Are babies born atheists?] by Matt Slick</ref>  

 

The concept of explicit atheism is related to the term [[strong atheism]]. Strong atheism (sometimes called "positive atheism" by its adherents), is a type of [[atheism]] that denies that God/gods exists.

The concept of explicit atheism is related to the term [[strong atheism]]. Strong atheism (sometimes called "positive atheism" by its adherents), is a type of [[atheism]] that denies that God/gods exists.

A number of [[Christianity|Christians]/[[theism|theists]] argue that atheists/[[agnosticism|agnostics]] are attempting to redefine the word atheism and make its definition unnecessarily broader (See [[Definition of atheism]]).  

 

= Diminished usefulness of the terms implicit/explicit atheism ==

A number of [[Christianity|Christians]]/[[theism|theists]] argue that atheists/[[agnosticism|agnostics]] are attempting to redefine the word atheism and make its definition unnecessarily broader (See [[Definition of atheism]]).  

As can be seen below, due to various research findings in the [[social science]]s, global [[desecularization]], the increase of religious immigration to the [[Western World]] and other developments, the usefulness of the terms implicit and explicit atheism has diminished.refhttp://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/19/opinion/sunday/does-everything-happen-for-a-reason.html ''Does everything happen for a reason?'']</ref>ref>[http://creation.com/children-see-the-world-as-designed Children see the world as designed].</ref><ref name="exist">Unruh, Bob (July 19, 2014).  [http://www.wnd.com/2014/07/science-writer-atheists-might-not-exist "Scientists: atheists might not exist"].  WorldNetDaily.  Retrieved on February 21, 2015./ref>ref>

 

== Diminished usefulness of the terms implicit/explicit atheism ==

 

As can be seen below, due to various research findings in the [[social science]]s, global [[desecularization]], the increase of religious immigration to the [[Western World]] and other developments, the usefulness of the terms implicit and explicit atheism has diminished.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/19/opinion/sunday/does-everything-happen-for-a-reason.html ''Does everything happen for a reason?'']</ref><ref>[http://creation.com/children-see-the-world-as-designed Children see the world as designed].</ref><ref name="exist">Unruh, Bob (July 19, 2014).  [http://www.wnd.com/2014/07/science-writer-atheists-might-not-exist "Scientists: atheists might not exist"].  WorldNetDaily.  Retrieved on February 21, 2015.</ref><ref>

*[http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London]

*[http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London]

*[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/2011/05/eric-kaufmann-shall-religious-inherit.html Eric Kaufmann: Shall The Religious Inherit The Earth?]

*[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/2011/05/eric-kaufmann-shall-religious-inherit.html Eric Kaufmann: Shall The Religious Inherit The Earth?]

*[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/search/label/atheist%20demographics Eric Kaufmann's Atheist Demographic series]

*[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/search/label/atheist%20demographics Eric Kaufmann's Atheist Demographic series]

*[http://fora.tv/2010/09/05/Eric_Kaufmann_Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth Eric Kaufmann: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?, Australian Broadcasting Corporation]</ref>  

*[http://fora.tv/2010/09/05/Eric_Kaufmann_Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth Eric Kaufmann: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?, Australian Broadcasting Corporation]</ref>  

= Apathy, purpose and religiosity/cognitive processing ===

=== Apathy, purpose and religiosity/cognitive processing ===

 

''See also:'' [Atheism and purpose]]

[[Image:Cherry Blossom Japan.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Even in atheistic [[Japan]], researchers found that Japanese children see the world [[Intelligent design|as designed]].<ref>[http://creation.com/children-see-the-world-as-designed Children see the world as designed]</ref>]]

[image:Cherry Blossom Japan.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Even in atheistic [[Japan]], researchers found that Japanese children see the world [[Intelligent design|as designed]].<ref>[http://creation.com/children-see-the-world-as-designed Children see the world as designed]</ref>]]

While some individuals give more thoughtful deliberation on the issue of the [[Arguments for the existence of God|existence of God]] and the purpose of life than others (see: [[Atheism and apathy]] and [[Apatheism]]), it is common for atheists/[[agnosticism|agnostics]] to dwell on the issue of purpose (see: [[Atheism and purpose]]).<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/19/opinion/sunday/does-everything-happen-for-a-reason.html ''Does everything happen for a reason?'']</ref>  

While some individuals give more thoughtful deliberation on the issue of the [[Arguments for the existence of God|existence of God]] and the purpose of life than others (see: [[Atheism and apathy]] and [[Apatheism]]), it is common for atheists/[[agnosticism|agnostics]] to dwell on the issue of purpose (see: [[Atheism and purpose]]).<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/19/opinion/sunday/does-everything-happen-for-a-reason.html ''Does everything happen for a reason?'']</ref>  

Also, notable atheists have had the characteristic of variability and instability when it came to maintaining thoughts in accordance with atheism. For example, [[Jean-Paul Sartre]] was one of the leading proponents of atheism of the 20th Century.  He was one of several popularizers of the [[philosophy]] of [[existentialism]].  

Also, notable atheists have had the characteristic of variability and instability when it came to maintaining thoughts in accordance with atheism. For example, [[Jean-Paul Sartre]] was one of the leading proponents of atheism of the 20th Century.  He was one of several popularizers of the [[philosophy]] of [[existentialism]].  

Yet, Jean-Paul Sartre made this candid confession:

Yet, Jean-Paul Sartre made this candid confession:

{cquote|As for me, I don’t see myself as so much dust that has appeared in the world but as a being that was expected, prefigured, called forth. In short, as a being that could, it seems, come only from a creator; and this idea of a creating hand that created me refers me back to God. Naturally this is not a clear, exact idea that I set in motion every time I think of myself. It contradicts many of my other ideas; but it is there, floating vaguely. And when I think of myself I often think rather in this way, for wont of ''being able to think otherwise''.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=BGU7LZ2bQ4cC&pg=PA109&lpg=PA109&dq=As+for+me,+I+don%E2%80%99t+see+myself+as+so+much+dust+that+has+appeared+in+the+world+but+as+a+being+that+was+expected,+prefigured,+called+forth.+In+short,+as+a+being+that+could,+it+seems,+come+only+from+a+creator;+and+this+idea+of+a+creating+hand+that+created+me+refers+me+back+to+God.&source=bl&ots=die9xMUdsB&sig=3dAJOK34aBalYieFKcJLdGpwFjY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=NXhqVMSmHMexyASUyYKIBw&ved=0CCwQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=As%20for%20me%2C%20I%20don%E2%80%99t%20see%20myself%20as%20so%20much%20dust%20that%20has%20appeared%20in%20the%20world%20but%20as%20a%20being%20that%20was%20expected%2C%20prefigured%2C%20called%20forth.%20In%20short%2C%20as%20a%20being%20that%20could%2C%20it%20seems%2C%20come%20only%20from%20a%20creator%3B%20and%20this%20idea%20of%20a%20creating%20hand%20that%20created%20me%20refers%20me%20back%20to%20God.&f=false ''Escape from God: The Use of Religion and Philosophy to Evade Responsibility'' By Dean Turner, page 109]</ref

{{cquote|As for me, I don’t see myself as so much dust that has appeared in the world but as a being that was expected, prefigured, called forth. In short, as a being that could, it seems, come only from a creator; and this idea of a creating hand that created me refers me back to God. Naturally this is not a clear, exact idea that I set in motion every time I think of myself. It contradicts many of my other ideas; but it is there, floating vaguely. And when I think of myself I often think rather in this way, for wont of ''being able to think otherwise''.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=BGU7LZ2bQ4cC&pg=PA109&lpg=PA109&dq=As+for+me,+I+don%E2%80%99t+see+myself+as+so+much+dust+that+has+appeared+in+the+world+but+as+a+being+that+was+expected,+prefigured,+called+forth.+In+short,+as+a+being+that+could,+it+seems,+come+only+from+a+creator;+and+this+idea+of+a+creating+hand+that+created+me+refers+me+back+to+God.&source=bl&ots=die9xMUdsB&sig=3dAJOK34aBalYieFKcJLdGpwFjY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=NXhqVMSmHMexyASUyYKIBw&ved=0CCwQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=As%20for%20me%2C%20I%20don%E2%80%99t%20see%20myself%20as%20so%20much%20dust%20that%20has%20appeared%20in%20the%20world%20but%20as%20a%20being%20that%20was%20expected%2C%20prefigured%2C%20called%20forth.%20In%20short%2C%20as%20a%20being%20that%20could%2C%20it%20seems%2C%20come%20only%20from%20a%20creator%3B%20and%20this%20idea%20of%20a%20creating%20hand%20that%20created%20me%20refers%20me%20back%20to%20God.&f=false ''Escape from God: The Use of Religion and Philosophy to Evade Responsibility'' By Dean Turner, page 109]</ref>}}

Even in atheistic [Japan]], researchers found that Japanese children see the natural world [[Intelligent design|as designed]] and purposeful and believe some kind of intelligent being is behind that purpose.ref>[http://creation.com/children-see-the-world-as-designed Children see the world as designed].</ref>

 

One of the most popular arguments for God's existence is the [[teleological argument]]. Derived from the Greek word ''telos'', which refers to purpose or end, this argument hinges on the idea that the world gives evidence of being designed, and concludes that a divine designer must be posited to account for the orderly world we encounter. See also: [[Evolution]] and [[Intelligent design]] and [Creation science]]

Even in atheistic [[Japan]], researchers found that Japanese children see the natural world [[Intelligent design|as designed]] and purposeful and believe some kind of intelligent being is behind that purpose.<ref>[http://creation.com/children-see-the-world-as-designed Children see the world as designed].</ref>

[Image:Evolution.jpg|alt=evolution darwin theory|right|thumb|200px|Late in [[Charles Darwin|Charles Darwin's]] life, Darwin told the Duke of Argyll that he frequently had overwhelming thoughts that the natural world was the [[Intelligent design|result of design]].ref>http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/teleological-arguments/notes.html/ref> In a letter to [[Asa Gray]], Darwin confided: "...I am quite conscious that my speculations run quite beyond the bounds of true [[science]]."<ref>http://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/entry-2109ref>]

 

The evolutionist [Charles Darwin]] wrote in his private notebooks that he was a [[materialism|materialist]], which is a type of atheist.  In his autobiography Charles Darwin wrote about the diminishment of his religious faith and Darwin stated that he was an agnostic.<ref>http://www.update.uu.se/~fbendz/library/cd_relig.htm/ref>  Darwin's worldview is best described as [agnosticism]]/[[weak atheism]] (see: [http://www.conservapedia.com/Charles_Darwin#Religious_Views_of_Charles_Darwin religious views of Charles Darwin) ]<ref[http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/1877 Darwin’s real message: have you missed it?]</ref><ref>American Scientist May 1977:323</ref

One of the most popular arguments for God's existence is the [[teleological argument]]. Derived from the Greek word ''telos'', which refers to purpose or end, this argument hinges on the idea that the world gives evidence of being designed, and concludes that a divine designer must be posited to account for the orderly world we encounter. See also: [[Evolution]] and [[Intelligent design]] and [[Creation science]]

[[Image:Evolution.jpg|alt=evolution darwin theory|right|thumb|200px|Late in [[Charles Darwin|Charles Darwin's]] life, Darwin told the Duke of Argyll that he frequently had overwhelming thoughts that the natural world was the [[Intelligent design|result of design]].<ref>http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/teleological-arguments/notes.html</ref> In a letter to [[Asa Gray]], Darwin confided: "...I am quite conscious that my speculations run quite beyond the bounds of true [[science]]."<ref>http://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/entry-2109</ref>]]  

The evolutionist [[Charles Darwin]] wrote in his private notebooks that he was a [[materialism|materialist]], which is a type of atheist.  In his autobiography Charles Darwin wrote about the diminishment of his religious faith and Darwin stated that he was an agnostic.<ref>http://www.update.uu.se/~fbendz/library/cd_relig.htm</ref>  Darwin's worldview is best described as [[agnosticism]]/[[weak atheism]] (see: [http://www.conservapedia.com/Charles_Darwin#Religious_Views_of_Charles_Darwin religious views of Charles Darwin) ]<ref>[http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/1877 Darwin’s real message: have you missed it?]</ref><ref>American Scientist May 1977:323</ref>

The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy states:

The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy states:

{cquote|In 1885, the Duke of Argyll recounted a conversation he had had with Charles Darwin the year before Darwin's death:  

{{cquote|In 1885, the Duke of Argyll recounted a conversation he had had with Charles Darwin the year before Darwin's death:  

In the course of that conversation I said to Mr. Darwin, with reference to some of his own remarkable works on the Fertilization of [[Orchid]]s, and upon The [[Earthworm]]s, and various other observations he made of the wonderful contrivances for certain purposes in nature — I said it was impossible to look at these without seeing that they were the effect and the expression of Mind. I shall never forget Mr. Darwin's answer. He looked at me very hard and said, “Well, that often comes over me with overwhelming force; but at other times,” and he shook his head vaguely, adding, “it seems to go away. ”(Argyll 1885, 244)<ref>[http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/teleological-arguments/notes.html Notes to Teleological Arguments for God's Existence]</ref>}}

In the course of that conversation I said to Mr. Darwin, with reference to some of his own remarkable works on the Fertilization of [[Orchid]]s, and upon The [[Earthworm]]s, and various other observations he made of the wonderful contrivances for certain purposes in nature — I said it was impossible to look at these without seeing that they were the effect and the expression of Mind. I shall never forget Mr. Darwin's answer. He looked at me very hard and said, “Well, that often comes over me with overwhelming force; but at other times,” and he shook his head vaguely, adding, “it seems to go away. ”(Argyll 1885, 244)<ref>[http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/teleological-arguments/notes.html Notes to Teleological Arguments for God's Existence]</ref>}}

On October 17, 20014, the ''New York Times'' published an article entitled ''Does everything happen for a reason?'' which declared:

On October 17, 2014, the ''New York Times'' published an article entitled ''Does everything happen for a reason?'' which declared:

{cquote|But research from the Yale Mind and Development Lab, where we work, suggests that this can’t be the whole story. In one series of studies, [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0010027714001358 recently published in the journal Cognition], we asked people to reflect on significant events from their own lives, such as graduations, the births of children, falling in love, the deaths of loved ones and serious illnesses. Unsurprisingly, a majority of religious believers said they thought that these events happened for a reason and that they had been purposefully designed (presumably by God). But many [[atheism|atheists]] did so as well, and a majority of atheists in a related study also said that they believed in fate — defined as the view that life events happen for a reason and that there is an underlying order to life that determines how events turn out.

{{cquote|But research from the Yale Mind and Development Lab, where we work, suggests that this can’t be the whole story. In one series of studies, [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0010027714001358 recently published in the journal Cognition], we asked people to reflect on significant events from their own lives, such as graduations, the births of children, falling in love, the deaths of loved ones and serious illnesses. Unsurprisingly, a majority of religious believers said they thought that these events happened for a reason and that they had been purposefully designed (presumably by God). But many [[atheism|atheists]] did so as well, and a majority of atheists in a related study also said that they believed in fate — defined as the view that life events happen for a reason and that there is an underlying order to life that determines how events turn out.

 

These atheists’ responses weren’t just the product of living in America’s highly religious society. [http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/2153599X.2013.782888#.VGptUsn6dl6 Research done at Queen’s University in Belfast] by the psychologists Bethany Heywood and Jesse Bering found that [[British atheism|British atheists]] were just as likely as American atheists to believe that their life events had underlying purposes, even though Britain is far less religious than America.

These atheists’ responses weren’t just the product of living in America’s highly religious society. [http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/2153599X.2013.782888#.VGptUsn6dl6 Research done at Queen’s University in Belfast] by the psychologists Bethany Heywood and Jesse Bering found that [[British atheism|British atheists]] were just as likely as American atheists to believe that their life events had underlying purposes, even though Britain is far less religious than America.

In other studies, scheduled to be published online next week in the journal Child Development, we found that even young children show a bias to believe that life events happen for a reason — to “send a sign” or “to teach a lesson.” This belief exists regardless of how much exposure the children have had to religion at home, and even if they’ve had none at all.ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/19/opinion/sunday/does-everything-happen-for-a-reason.html ''Does everything happen for a reason?'']</ref>}}

 

= Atheism and the brain ====

In other studies, scheduled to be published online next week in the journal Child Development, we found that even young children show a bias to believe that life events happen for a reason — to “send a sign” or “to teach a lesson.” This belief exists regardless of how much exposure the children have had to religion at home, and even if they’ve had none at all.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/19/opinion/sunday/does-everything-happen-for-a-reason.html ''Does everything happen for a reason?'']</ref>}}

''See also:'' [Atheism and the brain]] and [Denials that atheists exist]]  

 

[File:Cerebellum.jpg|left|thumb|200px|The human brain is the most complex physical entity in the universe.<ref>[http://creation.com/the-human-body-gods-masterpiece The Human Body: God's Masterpiece]</ref><ref>[http://creation.com/the-human-body-gods-masterpiece The Enigmatic Human Brain] by Wallace G. Smith</ref><ref>[http://www.creationmoments.com/radio/transcripts/most-complex-structure The Most Complex Structure], Creation Moments</ref>]]

==== Atheism and the brain ====

 

''See also:'' [[Atheism and the brain]] and [[Denials that atheists exist]]  

[[File:Cerebellum.jpg|left|thumb|200px|The human brain is the most complex physical entity in the universe.<ref>[http://creation.com/the-human-body-gods-masterpiece The Human Body: God's Masterpiece]</ref><ref>[http://creation.com/the-human-body-gods-masterpiece The Enigmatic Human Brain] by Wallace G. Smith</ref><ref>[http://www.creationmoments.com/radio/transcripts/most-complex-structure The Most Complex Structure], Creation Moments</ref>]]

As noted above, implicit atheism as defined by Smith is "the absence of theistic belief without a conscious rejection of it", while explicit atheism is "the absence of theistic belief due to a conscious rejection of it".

As noted above, implicit atheism as defined by Smith is "the absence of theistic belief without a conscious rejection of it", while explicit atheism is "the absence of theistic belief due to a conscious rejection of it".

Below are relevant quotes from a science magazine/journal:

Below are relevant quotes from a science magazine/journal:

“Atheism is psychologically impossible because of the way humans think... They point to studies showing, for example, that even people who claim to be committed atheists tacitly hold religious beliefs, such as the existence of an immortal soul.” - Graham Lawton in the ''New Scientist''<ref name="exist">Unruh, Bob (July 19, 2014).  [http://www.wnd.com/2014/07/science-writer-atheists-might-not-exist "Scientists: atheists might not exist"].  WorldNetDaily.  Retrieved on February 21, 2015.</ref>  science magazine. See also: [[Atheism and life after death]] and [[Atheism and death]]

“Atheism is psychologically impossible because of the way humans think... They point to studies showing, for example, that even people who claim to be committed atheists tacitly hold religious beliefs, such as the existence of an immortal soul.” - Graham Lawton in the ''New Scientist''<ref name="exist">Unruh, Bob (July 19, 2014).  [http://www.wnd.com/2014/07/science-writer-atheists-might-not-exist "Scientists: atheists might not exist"].  WorldNetDaily.  Retrieved on February 21, 2015.</ref>  science magazine. See also: [[Atheism and life after death]] and [[Atheism and death]]

“A slew of cognitive traits predisposes us to [faith]].”  - Pascal Boyer, in the British science journal ''Nature'' ref name="exist"/>

“A slew of cognitive traits predisposes us to [[faith]].”  - Pascal Boyer, in the British science journal ''Nature'' <ref name="exist"/>

=== Diminishment of conscious thinking and atheism =====

===== Diminishment of conscious thinking and atheism =====

[[File:Atheism and brain function - satirical graphic.png|thumbnail|right|200px|Satirical graphic used by the [[Freedom From Atheism Foundation]] (FFAF). The FFAF shared Dr. Joel McDurmon's article entitled ''Atheists embarrassed: study proves atheism uses less brain function'' with their supporters.<ref>[http://americanvision.org/12630/atheists-embarrassed-study-proves-atheism-uses-less-brain-function/ Atheists embarrassed: study proves atheism uses less brain function]</ref>]]  

[[File:Atheism and brain function - satirical graphic.png|thumbnail|right|200px|Satirical graphic used by the [[Freedom From Atheism Foundation]] (FFAF). The FFAF shared Dr. Joel McDurmon's article entitled ''Atheists embarrassed: study proves atheism uses less brain function'' with their supporters.<ref>[http://americanvision.org/12630/atheists-embarrassed-study-proves-atheism-uses-less-brain-function/ Atheists embarrassed: study proves atheism uses less brain function]</ref>]]  

Mr. Joel McDurmon at the organization American Vision wrote about a University of York study involving magnetism and brain function:

Dr. Joel McDurmon at the organization American Vision wrote about a University of York study involving magnetism and brain function:

{cquote|This has to be embarrassing . . . if you’re an atheist. A new study performed at the University of York used targeted magnetism to shut down part of the brain. The result: belief in God disappeared among more than 30 percent of participants.

{{cquote|This has to be embarrassing . . . if you’re an atheist. A new study performed at the University of York used targeted magnetism to shut down part of the brain. The result: belief in God disappeared among more than 30 percent of participants.

That in itself may not seem so embarrassing, but consider that the specific part of the brain they frazzled was the [[posterior medial frontal cortex]]—the part associated with detecting and solving problems, i.e., reasoning and logic.

That in itself may not seem so embarrassing, but consider that the specific part of the brain they frazzled was the [[posterior medial frontal cortex]]—the part associated with detecting and solving problems, i.e., reasoning and logic.

In other words, when you shut down the part of the brain most associated with logic and reasoning, greater levels of atheism result.<ref>[http://americanvision.org/12630/atheists-embarrassed-study-proves-atheism-uses-less-brain-function/ Atheists embarrassed: study proves atheism uses less brain function]</ref>}}

In other words, when you shut down the part of the brain most associated with logic and reasoning, greater levels of atheism result.<ref>[http://americanvision.org/12630/atheists-embarrassed-study-proves-atheism-uses-less-brain-function/ Atheists embarrassed: study proves atheism uses less brain function]</ref>}}

(To read about some of the functions of the posterior medial frontal cortex (pMFC), please read the article: [[Posterior medial frontal cortex]

(To read about some of the functions of the posterior medial frontal cortex (pMFC), please read the article: [[Posterior medial frontal cortex]])

==== Death anxiety and increased unconscious belief in God ====

==== Death anxiety and increased unconscious belief in God ====

''See also:'' [[Atheism and death]

''See also:'' [[Atheism and death]]

Another limitations of the terms implicit/explicit atheism is that they merely address conscious thinking and not unconscious thinking.  

Another limitations of the terms implicit/explicit atheism is that they merely address conscious thinking and not unconscious thinking.