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The ''Encyclopedia Britanica'' (Edinborough 1771) in its article on [[atheism]] declared; "Many people both ancient and modern have pretended to atheism or have been reckoned atheists by the world, but it is justly questioned whether any man seriously adopted such a principle. [[Atheism and pretentiousness|These pretentions]] therefore must be [[Atheism and arrogance|founded on pride]] or affection."<ref>[The Repressive Denials of Atheism in Britain in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries] by David Berman, Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy: Archaeology, Culture, History, Literature Vol. 82C (1982), pp. 211-246. Published by: Royal Irish Academy https://www.jstor.org/stable/25506089</ref>

The ''Encyclopedia Britanica'' (Edinborough 1771) in its article on [[atheism]] declared; "Many people both ancient and modern have pretended to atheism or have been reckoned atheists by the world, but it is justly questioned whether any man seriously adopted such a principle. [[Atheism and pretentiousness|These pretentions]] therefore must be [[Atheism and arrogance|founded on pride]] or affection."<ref>[The Repressive Denials of Atheism in Britain in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries] by David Berman, Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy: Archaeology, Culture, History, Literature Vol. 82C (1982), pp. 211-246. Published by: Royal Irish Academy https://www.jstor.org/stable/25506089</ref>

It has been asserted by various theists that atheists do not exist. Sir [[Francis Bacon]] wrote in his essay ''Of Atheism'':

It has been asserted by various theists that atheists do not exist. Sir [[Francis Bacon]] wrote in his essay ''Of Atheism'': "The [[Bible|Scripture]] saith, The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God; it is not said, The fool hath thought in his heart; so as he rather saith it, by rote to himself, as that he would have, than that he can thoroughly believe it, or be persuaded of it....It appeareth in nothing more, that atheism is rather in the lip, than in the heart of man."<ref>http://www.bartleby.com/3/1/16.html</ref>

{{cquote|The [[Bible|Scripture]] saith, The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God; it is not said, The fool hath thought in his heart; so as he rather saith it, by rote to himself, as that he would have, than that he can thoroughly believe it, or be persuaded of it....It appeareth in nothing more, that atheism is rather in the lip, than in the heart of man.<ref>http://www.bartleby.com/3/1/16.html</ref>}}

In addition, Christian [[philosophy|philosophers]] and [[Christian apologetics|apologists]] Dr. [[Cornelius Van Til]] and Dr. [[Greg Bahnsen]] argued there are no atheists and that atheists are actively suppressing their belief and knowledge of God and enigmatically engage in self-deception.<ref>[http://www.cmfnow.com/articles/PA191.htm Van Til and Self-deception] by Dr. Greg Bahnsen</ref> The [[England|English]] poet Edward Young wrote in his famous work ''Night Thoughts'' that "By night, an atheist half-believes a God."<ref>http://www.bartleby.com/100/224.html</ref> See also: [[Atheism and presuppositional apologetics]]

In addition, Christian [[philosophy|philosophers]] and [[Christian apologetics|apologists]] Dr. [[Cornelius Van Til]] and Dr. [[Greg Bahnsen]] argued there are no atheists and that atheists are actively suppressing their belief and knowledge of God and enigmatically engage in self-deception.<ref>[http://www.cmfnow.com/articles/PA191.htm Van Til and Self-deception] by Dr. Greg Bahnsen</ref> The [[England|English]] poet Edward Young wrote in his famous work ''Night Thoughts'' that "By night, an atheist half-believes a God."<ref>http://www.bartleby.com/100/224.html</ref> See also: [[Atheism and presuppositional apologetics]]