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[[Image:Stalin-140508 27880t.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The brutal proponent of atheism [[Joseph Stalin]] of the Soviet Union.  Professor R. J. Rummel is the scholar who first coined the term democide (death by government). Rummel's mid estimate is that communism under Stalin, Mao and other dictators caused the death of approximately 110 million people between 1917 and 1987.<ref>http://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/COM.ART.HTM</ref> ]]  

[[Image:Stalin-140508 27880t.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The brutal proponent of atheism [[Joseph Stalin]] of the Soviet Union.  Professor R. J. Rummel is the scholar who first coined the term democide (death by government). Rummel's mid estimate is that communism under Stalin, Mao and other dictators caused the death of approximately 110 million people between 1917 and 1987.<ref>http://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/COM.ART.HTM</ref> ]]  

The '''history of atheism''' can be dated to as early as the 5th century B.C. [[Diagoras of Melos]] was a 5th-century BC. [[Greek]] atheist, poet and [[sophism|sophist]].  

The '''history of atheism''' can be dated to as early as the 5th century B.C. [[Diagoras of Melos]] was a 5th century BC. [[Greek]] atheist, poet and [[sophism|sophist]].  

The word ''[[atheism]]'' itself  was not coined until the 16th century.<ref>http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atheism</ref>  

The word ''[[atheism]]'' itself  was not coined until the 16th century.<ref>http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atheism</ref>  

''See also:'' [[Golden Age of Freethought]]

''See also:'' [[Golden Age of Freethought]]

The [[Golden Age of Freethought]] describes the 19th-century United States socio-political movement which promoted [[freethought]].  Generally speaking, the period from 1875 to 1914 is referred to as "the high-water mark of freethought as an influential movement in American society".<ref>Jacoby, Susan. ''Freethinkers: A History of American Secularism''. New York, NY: Metropolitan Books, p. 151</ref>

The [[Golden Age of Freethought]] describes the 19th century United States socio-political movement which promoted [[freethought]].  Generally speaking, the period from 1875 to 1914 is referred to as "the high-water mark of freethought as an influential movement in American society".<ref>Jacoby, Susan. ''Freethinkers: A History of American Secularism''. New York, NY: Metropolitan Books, p. 151</ref>

Politically, the atheist movement has leaned left in its politics (See: [[Secular left]] and [[Atheism and politics]]).  Secular leftist [[utopia]]nism and its exalted view of human nature did not line up with the horrors of the [[World War I]]. The Golden Age of Freethought ended at the start of [[World War I]].

Politically, the atheist movement has leaned left in its politics (See: [[Secular left]] and [[Atheism and politics]]).  Secular leftist [[utopia]]nism and its exalted view of human nature did not line up with the horrors of the [[World War I]]. The Golden Age of Freethought ended at the start of [[World War I]].