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Line 14: − − == Origins == − − Atheism has probably been around almost as long as theism, although in recorded history it has been a minority view in the western hemisphere, although amongst literati in pre-modern China, for instance, it was the default position, with moral guidance instead coming from Confucian teachings. Some atheists - notably, [[Richard Dawkins]] - contest that all religious are atheists with regard to Gods of other religions, and that atheism is therefore not a minority, but a default.
move up "origins" section
'''Atheism''', as defined by the ''Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy'' and the ''Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy'', is the denial of the existence of any [[God]]. <ref>http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/atheism-agnosticism/</ref> <ref>http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/1998</ref> The term "atheism" also includes uncertainty about whether God exists or not, that is, people who never believe in God or actively deny His existence (see also [[agnosticism]]).
'''Atheism''', as defined by the ''Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy'' and the ''Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy'', is the denial of the existence of any [[God]]. <ref>http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/atheism-agnosticism/</ref> <ref>http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/1998</ref> The term "atheism" also includes uncertainty about whether God exists or not, that is, people who never believe in God or actively deny His existence (see also [[agnosticism]]).
== Origins ==
Atheism has probably been around almost as long as theism, although in recorded history it has been a minority view in the western hemisphere, although amongst literati in pre-modern China, for instance, it was the default position, with moral guidance instead coming from Confucian teachings. Some atheists - notably, [[Richard Dawkins]] - contest that all religious are atheists with regard to Gods of other religions, and that atheism is therefore not a minority, but a default.
Well-known atheists include [[Joseph Stalin]], [[Bertrand Russell]], [[Ayn Rand]], [[Richard Dawkins]] and [[Douglas Adams]].
Well-known atheists include [[Joseph Stalin]], [[Bertrand Russell]], [[Ayn Rand]], [[Richard Dawkins]] and [[Douglas Adams]].
Such morality is not necessarily the morality of an atheist, it is merely an ethical system built without God- equally used and useful (if Hume and Kant are correct) to theists and skeptics alike. As such, the misconception that atheists have no moral system is just that.
Such morality is not necessarily the morality of an atheist, it is merely an ethical system built without God- equally used and useful (if Hume and Kant are correct) to theists and skeptics alike. As such, the misconception that atheists have no moral system is just that.
== Atheist Population ==
== Atheist Population ==