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[[Atheism]], as defined by the ''Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy'', the ''[[Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy]]'', and other [[philosophy]] reference works, is the denial of the existence of [[God]].<ref>Multiple references:

[[Atheism]], as defined by the ''Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy'', the ''[[Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy]]'', and other [[philosophy]] reference works, is the denial of the existence of [[God]].<ref>Multiple references:

*Smart, J. J. C. (August 8, 2011). [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/atheism-agnosticism "Atheism and agnosticism"]. ''The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy'' (Spring 2013 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.).  

*Smart, J. J. C. (August 8, 2011). [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/atheism-agnosticism "Atheism and agnosticism"]. ''The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy'' (Spring 2013 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.).  

*Merriam-Webster dictionary: Atheism -  a disbelief in the existence of deity; the doctrine that there is no deity. Origin of atheism: Middle French athéisme, from athée atheist, from Greek atheos godless, from a- + theos god [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atheism]

*Merriam-Webster dictionary: Atheism -  a disbelief in the existence of deity; the doctrine that there is no deity. Origin of atheism: Middle French athéisme, from athée atheist, from Greek atheos godless, from a- + theos god [https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atheism]

*Atheism: a + theos, denying god, (Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology-1966).[http://www.thedivineconspiracy.org/athart3.htm]

*Atheism: a + theos, denying god, (Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology-1966).[http://www.thedivineconspiracy.org/athart3.htm]

*Atheism: all are coined words from the Greek atheos, denying the gods, a word introduced into the Latin by [[Cicero]] in the form; atheos, a-, negative, prefix, and theos, a god, (Etymological Dictionary of English Language-1958)[http://www.thedivineconspiracy.org/athart3.htm]

*Atheism: all are coined words from the Greek atheos, denying the gods, a word introduced into the Latin by [[Cicero]] in the form; atheos, a-, negative, prefix, and theos, a god, (Etymological Dictionary of English Language-1958)[http://www.thedivineconspiracy.org/athart3.htm]

Prominent atheists/agnostics indicating that they repeatedly have thoughts that the world is designed/purposeful and research showing that many individuals in the general population of atheists/agnostics frequently have these thoughts also (See: [[Atheism and purpose]]).

Prominent atheists/agnostics indicating that they repeatedly have thoughts that the world is designed/purposeful and research showing that many individuals in the general population of atheists/agnostics frequently have these thoughts also (See: [[Atheism and purpose]]).

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 name="nytimes.com">[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 name="nytimes.com">[https://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>[https://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>

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>

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 name="nytimes.com">[http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/19/opinion/sunday/does-everything-happen-for-a-reason.html ''Does everything happen for a reason?'']</ref>}}

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 name="nytimes.com">[https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/19/opinion/sunday/does-everything-happen-for-a-reason.html ''Does everything happen for a reason?'']</ref>}}

=== Retention rate of atheists low in various populations ===

=== Retention rate of atheists low in various populations ===

Many atheists make the mistake of assuming religion is wholly irrational, relying on faith alone but, in a series of interviews recorded for DVD, the apologetics heavyweights from the list above demonstrate their ability to challenge us with reasoned arguments.<ref>[http://dorset-humanists1.blogspot.com/2012/06/philosophy-science-and-god-debate.html Philosophy, Science and the God Debate]</ref>}}

Many atheists make the mistake of assuming religion is wholly irrational, relying on faith alone but, in a series of interviews recorded for DVD, the apologetics heavyweights from the list above demonstrate their ability to challenge us with reasoned arguments.<ref>[http://dorset-humanists1.blogspot.com/2012/06/philosophy-science-and-god-debate.html Philosophy, Science and the God Debate]</ref>}}

Hector Hugh Munro (better known by the pen name Saki) wrote: "'[N]o one can be an unbeliever nowadays.  The [[Christian apologetics|Christian Apologists]] have left one nothing to disbelieve.'" - <ref>Saki (1913).  [http://www.gutenberg.org/files/555/555-h/555-h.htm ''The Unbearable Bassington''] (London:  John Lane), 6th ed., ch. 13.</ref>

Hector Hugh Munro (better known by the pen name Saki) wrote: "'[N]o one can be an unbeliever nowadays.  The [[Christian apologetics|Christian Apologists]] have left one nothing to disbelieve.'" - <ref>Saki (1913).  [https://www.gutenberg.org/files/555/555-h/555-h.htm ''The Unbearable Bassington''] (London:  John Lane), 6th ed., ch. 13.</ref>

In recent times, there has been a number of notable cases where atheists/agnostics have dodged debate offers (see: [[Atheism and cowardice]]).

In recent times, there has been a number of notable cases where atheists/agnostics have dodged debate offers (see: [[Atheism and cowardice]]).

On July 24, 2013, ''CNS News'' reported about [[global atheism]]:

On July 24, 2013, ''CNS News'' reported about [[global atheism]]:

{{cquote|Atheism is in [[Global atheism|decline worldwide]], with the number of atheists falling from 4.5% of the world’s population in 1970 to 2.0% in 2010 and projected to drop to 1.8% by 2020, according to a new report by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Mass."<ref>[http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/global-study-atheists-decline-only-18-world-population-2020 Global Study: Atheists in Decline, Only 1.8% of World Population by 2020]</ref>}}

{{cquote|Atheism is in [[Global atheism|decline worldwide]], with the number of atheists falling from 4.5% of the world’s population in 1970 to 2.0% in 2010 and projected to drop to 1.8% by 2020, according to a new report by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Mass."<ref>[https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/global-study-atheists-decline-only-18-world-population-2020 Global Study: Atheists in Decline, Only 1.8% of World Population by 2020]</ref>}}

Douglas S. Winnail wrote:  

Douglas S. Winnail wrote:  

Not only are religious thoughts often persistent in prominent atheists and the atheists population, but religion is often shown to be persistent in societies as well (see: [[Atheists and the endurance of religion]]).  

Not only are religious thoughts often persistent in prominent atheists and the atheists population, but religion is often shown to be persistent in societies as well (see: [[Atheists and the endurance of religion]]).  

Despite the efforts of [[militant atheism|militant atheists]] in the former [[Soviet Union]] and China to distinguish religion in their countries, religion is impossible to extinguish in a country.<ref>[http://www.thedivineconspiracy.org/Z3211C.pdf Forced Secularization in Soviet Russia: Why an Atheistic Monopoly Failed]</ref><ref>[http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21629218-rapid-spread-christianity-forcing-official-rethink-religion-cracks ''Cracks in the atheist edifice''], ''The Economist'', November 1, 2014</ref>

Despite the efforts of [[militant atheism|militant atheists]] in the former [[Soviet Union]] and China to distinguish religion in their countries, religion is impossible to extinguish in a country.<ref>[http://www.thedivineconspiracy.org/Z3211C.pdf Forced Secularization in Soviet Russia: Why an Atheistic Monopoly Failed]</ref><ref>[https://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21629218-rapid-spread-christianity-forcing-official-rethink-religion-cracks ''Cracks in the atheist edifice''], ''The Economist'', November 1, 2014</ref>

=== Multiple causes of atheism. Not just doubt ===

=== Multiple causes of atheism. Not just doubt ===

[[File:Shockofgod helmet.jpg|thumbnail|175px|right|Logo for the Shockofgod YouTube channel.

[[File:Shockofgod helmet.jpg|thumbnail|175px|right|Logo for the Shockofgod YouTube channel.

The Christian YouTube video creator [[Shockofgod]] repeatedly posed the question "What proof and evidence do have that proves that atheism is accurate and correct?" to atheists which was very upsetting to many YouTube atheists.<ref name="youtube.com">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjS__cWr0Y0 The question that is causing atheists to abandon atheism]</ref>]]

The Christian YouTube video creator [[Shockofgod]] repeatedly posed the question "What proof and evidence do have that proves that atheism is accurate and correct?" to atheists which was very upsetting to many YouTube atheists.<ref name="youtube.com">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjS__cWr0Y0 The question that is causing atheists to abandon atheism]</ref>]]

The atheist Francois Tremblay wrote in his essay ''Herding Cats: Why atheism will lose'':

The atheist Francois Tremblay wrote in his essay ''Herding Cats: Why atheism will lose'':

{{cquote|Another problem of atheism qua atheism is that it does not contain its own basis. What I mean by this is that atheism is a punctual, [[ontological]] belief, which is itself the implicit or explicit result of [[metaphysics|metaphysical]] and [[Atheism and epistemology|epistemological deductions]]. Any reply to an attack on this basis cannot come directly from atheism. Concentrating oneself only on being an atheist is like trying to build a house from the second floor up. It may look less costly on paper, and for people who only build houses in their imagination this may be a good way of seeing it, but it's not good enough for a serious endeavour. And most importantly, it's too fragile. I see too many religionists attacking atheism from the bottom and atheists being unable to adequately reply to the arguments. If the atheist cannot answer to his most fundamental beliefs on the nature of reality and cognition, then his atheism is worthless in terms of validation. It is nothing more than a big paper tiger, made from the finest cardboard.

{{cquote|Another problem of atheism qua atheism is that it does not contain its own basis. What I mean by this is that atheism is a punctual, [[ontological]] belief, which is itself the implicit or explicit result of [[metaphysics|metaphysical]] and [[Atheism and epistemology|epistemological deductions]]. Any reply to an attack on this basis cannot come directly from atheism. Concentrating oneself only on being an atheist is like trying to build a house from the second floor up. It may look less costly on paper, and for people who only build houses in their imagination this may be a good way of seeing it, but it's not good enough for a serious endeavour. And most importantly, it's too fragile. I see too many religionists attacking atheism from the bottom and atheists being unable to adequately reply to the arguments. If the atheist cannot answer to his most fundamental beliefs on the nature of reality and cognition, then his atheism is worthless in terms of validation. It is nothing more than a big paper tiger, made from the finest cardboard.