Changes

*Samples, Kenneth R. (Fall 1991 and Winter 1992). [http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/cri/cri-jrnl/web/crj0131a.html "Putting the atheist on the defensive"] ''Christian Research Institute Journal'', p. 7.</ref>  [[Paul Edwards (philosopher)|Paul Edwards]], who was a prominent atheist and editor of the ''[[Encyclopedia of Philosophy]]'', defined an atheist as "a person who maintains that there is no God."<ref>Samples, Kenneth R. (Fall 1991 and Winter 1992). [http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/cri/cri-jrnl/web/crj0131a.html "Putting the atheist on the defensive"] ''Christian Research Institute Journal'', p. 7.</ref> See also: [[Strong atheism]]

*Samples, Kenneth R. (Fall 1991 and Winter 1992). [http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/cri/cri-jrnl/web/crj0131a.html "Putting the atheist on the defensive"] ''Christian Research Institute Journal'', p. 7.</ref>  [[Paul Edwards (philosopher)|Paul Edwards]], who was a prominent atheist and editor of the ''[[Encyclopedia of Philosophy]]'', defined an atheist as "a person who maintains that there is no God."<ref>Samples, Kenneth R. (Fall 1991 and Winter 1992). [http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/cri/cri-jrnl/web/crj0131a.html "Putting the atheist on the defensive"] ''Christian Research Institute Journal'', p. 7.</ref> See also: [[Strong atheism]]

Beginning in the latter portion of the 20th century and continuing beyond, many [[agnosticism|agnostics]] and atheists have argued that the definition of atheism should be a lack of belief in God or gods.<ref name="CRI">Samples, Kenneth R. (Fall 1991 and Winter 1992). [http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/cri/cri-jrnl/web/crj0131a.html "Putting the atheist on the defensive"] ''Christian Research Institute Journal'', p. 7.</ref><ref name="Divine">Day, Donn R. (2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20140906135211/http://www.thedivineconspiracy.org/athart3.htm "Atheism - etymology"]. ''The Divine Conspiracy'' website/atheism articles (unk. publisher). Archived at ''Internet Archive'' on September 6, 2014.</ref><ref>Craig, William Lane (July 16, 2012). [http://www.reasonablefaith.org/definition-of-atheism "The proper definition of atheism"]. ''Reasonable Faith'' website/Media/Reasonable faith podcast (Dallas TX: Reasonable Faith). See [[William Lane Craig]].</ref><ref>Britain is a less religious country than the United States, and the Oxford-dictionaries-based ''Lexico.com'' offers both the narrow/broad definitions of atheism (as noted in a previous footnote, the ''Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary'', which is a traditional American dictionary, offers a more narrow definition of atheism similar to the definition that major encyclopedias of philosophy use). ''Lexico.com'' and other Oxford dictionaries: "Disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods". (Oxford University Press [OUP] [2019]. [https://www.lexico.com/definition/atheism "Atheism"]. ''Lexico.com'' [Oxford, UK: OUP].)</ref> See: [[Attempts to dilute the definition of atheism#Purpose of attempting to dilute the definition of atheism|Purpose of redefining atheism]] and [[Weak atheism]]

Beginning in the latter portion of the 20th century and continuing beyond, many [[agnosticism|agnostics]] and atheists have argued that the definition of atheism should be a lack of belief in God or gods.<ref name="CRI">Samples, Kenneth R. (Fall 1991 and Winter 1992). [http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/cri/cri-jrnl/web/crj0131a.html "Putting the atheist on the defensive"] ''Christian Research Institute Journal'', p. 7.</ref><ref name="Divine">Day, Donn R. (2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20140906135211/http://www.thedivineconspiracy.org/athart3.htm "Atheism - etymology"]. ''The Divine Conspiracy'' website/atheism articles (unk. publisher). Archived at ''Internet Archive'' on September 6, 2014.</ref><ref>Craig, William Lane (July 16, 2012). [http://www.reasonablefaith.org/definition-of-atheism "The proper definition of atheism"]. ''Reasonable Faith'' website/Media/Reasonable [[faith]] podcast (Dallas TX: Reasonable Faith). See [[William Lane Craig]].</ref><ref>Britain is a less religious country than the United States, and the Oxford-dictionaries-based ''Lexico.com'' offers both the narrow/broad definitions of atheism (as noted in a previous footnote, the ''Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary'', which is a traditional American dictionary, offers a more narrow definition of atheism similar to the definition that major encyclopedias of philosophy use). ''Lexico.com'' and other Oxford dictionaries: "Disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods". (Oxford University Press [OUP] [2019]. [https://www.lexico.com/definition/atheism "Atheism"]. ''Lexico.com'' [Oxford, UK: OUP].)</ref> See: [[Attempts to dilute the definition of atheism#Purpose of attempting to dilute the definition of atheism|Purpose of redefining atheism]] and [[Weak atheism]]

Atheism has been examined by many disciplines in terms [[Atheism statistics|of its effects]] on individuals and [[Atheism and culture|on societies]] and these effects will be covered below.

Atheism has been examined by many disciplines in terms [[Atheism statistics|of its effects]] on individuals and [[Atheism and culture|on societies]] and these effects will be covered below.

As far as individuals adopting an [[Atheist worldview|atheistic worldview]], atheism has [[causes of atheism|a number of causal factors]] and these will be elaborated on below as well.

As far as individuals adopting an [[Atheist worldview|atheistic worldview]], atheism has [[causes of atheism|a number of causal factors]] and these will be elaborated on below as well.

As of March 2025, data compiled by the [[Center for the Study of Global Christianity]] at [[Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary]] indicates that there are 831,000 less atheists in the world than a year ago.<ref>

As of March 2025, data compiled by the [[Center for the Study of Global Christianity]] at [[Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary]] indicates that there are 831,000 fewer atheists in the world than a year ago.<ref>

*[https://www.gordonconwell.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/01/Status-of-Global-Christianity-2025.pdf Status of Global Atheism/Christianity, 2025, in the Context of 1900–2050] (831,000 less atheists in the world than a year ago. See subsequent source)

*[https://www.gordonconwell.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/01/Status-of-Global-Christianity-2025.pdf Status of Global Atheism/Christianity, 2025, in the Context of 1900–2050] (831,000 fewer atheists in the world than a year ago. See subsequent source)

*[https://gordonconwell.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2019/04/StatusofGlobalChristianity20191.pdf Status of Global Atheism/Christianity/other religions, 2019, in the Context of 1900–2050]</ref> On March 15, 2024, Frontier Partners International reported concerning [[global atheism]]: "Simultaneously, atheism, which once saw a peak around 1970 with 165 million adherents, is on the decline. The current growth trend for atheism is -0.12 percent, with their number falling from 147 million in 2020 to 146 million in 2024."<ref>[https://www.frontierpartners.org/global-christianity-surges Global Christianity surges beyond projections in 2024], LiCAS.news • Mar 15, 2024, Frontiers Partners International, 2024</ref> The world's atheists have a below replacement level of births (See: [[Atheism and fertility rates]]). See also: [[Global atheism statistics]] and [[Desecularization]]

*[https://gordonconwell.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2019/04/StatusofGlobalChristianity20191.pdf Status of Global Atheism/Christianity/other religions, 2019, in the Context of 1900–2050]</ref> On March 15, 2024, Frontier Partners International reported concerning [[global atheism]]: "Simultaneously, atheism, which once saw a peak around 1970 with 165 million adherents, is on the decline. The current growth trend for atheism is -0.12 percent, with their number falling from 147 million in 2020 to 146 million in 2024."<ref>[https://www.frontierpartners.org/global-christianity-surges Global Christianity surges beyond projections in 2024], LiCAS.news • Mar 15, 2024, Frontiers Partners International, 2024</ref> The world's atheists have a below replacement level of births (See: [[Atheism and fertility rates]]). See also: [[Global atheism statistics]] and [[Desecularization]]

See: [[History of Atheism|History of atheism]] ]]

See: [[History of Atheism|History of atheism]] ]]

The [[History of Atheism|history of atheism]] can be dated to as early as the 5th century B.C. [[Diagoras of Melos]] was a 5th-century B.C. [[Greek]] atheist, poet and [[Sophism|Sophist]]. Since then many [[schools of atheist thought]] have developed.  

The [[History of Atheism|history of atheism]] can be dated as early as the 5th century B.C. [[Diagoras of Melos]] was a 5th-century B.C. [[Greek]] atheist, poet and [[Sophism|Sophist]]. Since then many [[schools of atheist thought]] have developed.  

===Atheism and why do atheists state they disbelieve?===

===Atheism and why do atheists state they disbelieve?===

In comparison to many religious groups, which have many meetings/conferences in numerous places in a given day or week that are convenient to attend, atheist meetings and [[atheist conferences]] are sparse.  One of the causes of this situation is the apathy of many atheists (see: [[Atheism and apathy]] and [[Atheism and motivation]]).  

In comparison to many religious groups, which have many meetings/conferences in numerous places in a given day or week that are convenient to attend, atheist meetings and [[atheist conferences]] are sparse.  One of the causes of this situation is the apathy of many atheists (see: [[Atheism and apathy]] and [[Atheism and motivation]]).  

Most [[atheist organizations]] are relatively small in terms of active participants as most atheists are apathetic about organized atheism (see: [[Atheism and apathy]]). An exception is the [[Communist Party of China]] which requires its members be atheists (see: [[Atheism and China]] and [[Atheism and communism]]). At the same time, due to the explosive [[growth of Christianity in China]], there are now more Christians in China than Chinese who belong to the Communist Party of China (see also: [[East Asia and global desecularization]]).<ref>[https://www.dw.com/en/in-xi-we-trust-is-china-cracking-down-on-christianity/a-42224752 In Xi we trust - Is China cracking down on Christianity?], DW News</ref>

Most [[atheist organizations]] are relatively small in terms of active participants as most atheists are apathetic about organized atheism (see: [[Atheism and apathy]]). An exception is the [[Communist Party of China]], which requires its members be atheists (see: [[Atheism and China]] and [[Atheism and communism]]). At the same time, due to the explosive [[growth of Christianity in China]], there are now more Christians in China than Chinese who belong to the Communist Party of China (see also: [[East Asia and global desecularization]]).<ref>[https://www.dw.com/en/in-xi-we-trust-is-china-cracking-down-on-christianity/a-42224752 In Xi we trust - Is China cracking down on Christianity?], DW News</ref>

In recent times, the number of people attending atheist conferences has grown smaller.<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/tippling/2017/07/13/10923/ Whoever I Don’t Like Is Ruining the Atheist Movement] by Jeremiah Traeger

In recent times, the number of people attending atheist conferences has grown smaller.<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/tippling/2017/07/13/10923/ Whoever I Don’t Like Is Ruining the Atheist Movement] by Jeremiah Traeger

{{cquote|A senior Chinese advisor on religious affairs has said the country should promote atheism throughout society, in remarks that appear to reflect a deepening campaign to reinforce traditional Marxist values in China — and could add to concern about official attitudes among believers in the country’s five officially recognized religions.<ref>[http://www.ibtimes.com/senior-chinese-religious-advisor-calls-promotion-atheism-society-2363850 Senior Chinese Religious Advisor Calls For Promotion Of Atheism In Society], ''International Business Times''</ref>}}

{{cquote|A senior Chinese advisor on religious affairs has said the country should promote atheism throughout society, in remarks that appear to reflect a deepening campaign to reinforce traditional Marxist values in China — and could add to concern about official attitudes among believers in the country’s five officially recognized religions.<ref>[http://www.ibtimes.com/senior-chinese-religious-advisor-calls-promotion-atheism-society-2363850 Senior Chinese Religious Advisor Calls For Promotion Of Atheism In Society], ''International Business Times''</ref>}}

=== Russian revolution caused the most notable spread of atheism ===

=== Russian Revolution caused the most notable spread of atheism ===

According to the [[University of Cambridge]], historically, the "most notable spread of atheism was achieved through the success of the 1917 [[Russian Revolution]], which brought the [[Marxism-Leninism|Marxist-Leninists]] to power."<ref name="Marxism-Leninism">{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728215151/http://www.investigatingatheism.info/marxism.html|title=Investigating atheism: Marxism|publisher = [[University of Cambridge]]|quote=The most notable spread of atheism was achieved through the success of the 1917 Russian Revolution, which brought the Marxist-Leninists to power. For the first time in history, atheism thus became the official ideology of a state.|year=2008|accessdate=July 17, 2014}}</ref>  

According to the [[University of Cambridge]], historically, the "most notable spread of atheism was achieved through the success of the 1917 [[Russian Revolution]], which brought the [[Marxism-Leninism|Marxist-Leninists]] to power."<ref name="Marxism-Leninism">{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728215151/http://www.investigatingatheism.info/marxism.html|title=Investigating atheism: Marxism|publisher = [[University of Cambridge]]|quote=The most notable spread of atheism was achieved through the success of the 1917 Russian Revolution, which brought the Marxist-Leninists to power. For the first time in history, atheism thus became the official ideology of a state.|year=2008|accessdate=July 17, 2014}}</ref>  

Christian apologist Gregory Koukl wrote relative to [[Atheism and Mass Murder|atheism and mass murder]] that "the assertion is that religion has caused most of the killing and bloodshed in the world.

Christian apologist Gregory Koukl wrote relative to [[Atheism and Mass Murder|atheism and mass murder]] that "the assertion is that religion has caused most of the killing and bloodshed in the world.

There are people who make accusations and assertions that are empirically false. This is one of them."<ref name="Koukl">Koukl, Gregory (February 20, 2013). [https://www.str.org/articles/the-real-murderers-atheism-or-christianity#.XdaqONVOk2w "The real murderers:  atheism or Christianity?"] Stand to Reason.</ref>

There are people who make accusations and assertions that are empirically false. This is one of them."<ref name="Koukl">Koukl, Gregory (February 20, 2013). [https://www.str.org/articles/the-real-murderers-atheism-or-christianity#.XdaqONVOk2w "The real murderers:  atheism or Christianity?"] Stand to Reason.</ref>

Koukl details the number of people killed in various events involving theism and compares them to the much higher tens of millions of people killed under regimes which advocated atheism.<ref name="Koukl" />  As noted earlier, Richard Dawkins has attempted to [[Richard Dawkins, atheist atrocities, and historical revisionism|engage in historical revisionism concerning atheist atrocities]] and Dawkins was shown to be in gross error.

Koukl details the number of people killed in various events involving theism and compares them to the much higher tens of millions of people killed under regimes that advocated atheism.<ref name="Koukl" />  As noted earlier, Richard Dawkins has attempted to [[Richard Dawkins, atheist atrocities, and historical revisionism|engage in historical revisionism concerning atheist atrocities]] and Dawkins was shown to be in gross error.

Koukl summarized by stating:

Koukl summarized by stating:

<br />

<br />

The religious landscape of China is quickly changing, however, due to the rapid growth of Christianity. See also: [[China and atheism]] and [[Global atheism]] ]]

The religious landscape of China is quickly changing, however, due to the rapid growth of Christianity. See also: [[China and atheism]] and [[Global atheism]] ]]

In addition, in the atheistic and Communist Soviet Union, 44 anti-religious museums were opened and the largest was the 'The Museum of the History of Religion and Atheism' in [[Leningrad]]’s Kazan cathedral.<ref>Humphrey (December 16, 2008). [http://bedejournal.blogspot.com/2008/12/merry-anti-christmas.html "Merry Anti-Christmas!"] Quodlibeta.</ref>  Despite intense effort by the atheistic leaders of the Soviet Union, their efforts were not effective in converting the masses to atheism.<ref>Multiple references:

In addition, in the atheistic and Communist Soviet Union, 44 anti-religious museums were opened and the largest was the 'The Museum of the History of Religion and Atheism' in [[Leningrad]]’s Kazan Cathedral.<ref>Humphrey (December 16, 2008). [http://bedejournal.blogspot.com/2008/12/merry-anti-christmas.html "Merry Anti-Christmas!"] Quodlibeta.</ref>  Despite intense effort by the atheistic leaders of the Soviet Union, their efforts were not effective in converting the masses to atheism.<ref>Multiple references:

*Humphrey (December 16, 2008). [http://bedejournal.blogspot.com/2008/12/merry-anti-christmas.html "Merry Anti-Christmas!"] Quodlibeta.  

*Humphrey (December 16, 2008). [http://bedejournal.blogspot.com/2008/12/merry-anti-christmas.html "Merry Anti-Christmas!"] Quodlibeta.  

*Froese, Paul (March 2004). [http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bpl/jssr/2004/00000043/00000001/art00003?crawler=true "Forced secularization in Soviet Russia:  why an atheistic monopoly failed" [abstract&#93;].  ''Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion'', vol. 43, 1, pp. 35-50.  Abstract: Ingentaconnect</ref>

*Froese, Paul (March 2004). [http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bpl/jssr/2004/00000043/00000001/art00003?crawler=true "Forced secularization in Soviet Russia:  why an atheistic monopoly failed" [abstract&#93;].  ''Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion'', vol. 43, 1, pp. 35-50.  Abstract: Ingentaconnect</ref>

*[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/23/a-surprising-map-of-where-the-worlds-atheists-live/ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live], ''Washington Post'' By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey May 23, 2013</ref>  China is a Communist country. In 1999, the publication [[Christian Century]] reported that "China has persecuted religious believers by means of harassment, prolonged detention, and incarceration in prison or 'reform-through-labor' camps and police closure of places of worship." In 2003, owners of [[Bible]]s in China were sent to prison camps and 125 Chinese churches were closed.<ref>[http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=35818 "China sends Bible owners to labor camp"] (November 26, 2003). ''WorldNetDaily''.</ref>  China continues to practice religious oppression today.<ref>[http://www.epm.org/resources/2003/Jun/12/chinese-police-proudly-record-their-torture-christ/ Chinese Police Proudly Record Their Torture of Christians], By Voice of the Martyrs|June 12, 2003</ref>   

*[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/23/a-surprising-map-of-where-the-worlds-atheists-live/ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live], ''Washington Post'' By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey May 23, 2013</ref>  China is a Communist country. In 1999, the publication [[Christian Century]] reported that "China has persecuted religious believers by means of harassment, prolonged detention, and incarceration in prison or 'reform-through-labor' camps and police closure of places of worship." In 2003, owners of [[Bible]]s in China were sent to prison camps and 125 Chinese churches were closed.<ref>[http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=35818 "China sends Bible owners to labor camp"] (November 26, 2003). ''WorldNetDaily''.</ref>  China continues to practice religious oppression today.<ref>[http://www.epm.org/resources/2003/Jun/12/chinese-police-proudly-record-their-torture-christ/ Chinese Police Proudly Record Their Torture of Christians], By Voice of the Martyrs|June 12, 2003</ref>   

The efforts of China's atheist leaders in promoting atheism, however, is increasingly losing its effectiveness and the number of Christians in China is rapidly growing (see: [[Growth of Christianity in China]]).  China's state sponsored atheism and atheistic indoctrination has been a failure and a 2007 religious survey in China indicated that only 15% of Chinese identified themselves as atheists.<ref>Briggs, David (January 23, 2011).  [http://life.nationalpost.com/2011/01/23/huffington-post-chinas-state-sponsored-atheism-a-failure/ "Huffington Post: China’s state-sponsored atheism a failure" [excerpt&#93;].  National Post website.</ref>

The efforts of China's atheist leaders in promoting atheism, however, are increasingly losing their effectiveness and the number of Christians in China is rapidly growing (see: [[Growth of Christianity in China]]).  China's state-sponsored atheism and atheistic indoctrination have been a failure and a 2007 religious survey in China indicated that only 15% of Chinese identified themselves as atheists.<ref>Briggs, David (January 23, 2011).  [http://life.nationalpost.com/2011/01/23/huffington-post-chinas-state-sponsored-atheism-a-failure/ "Huffington Post: China’s state-sponsored atheism a failure" [excerpt&#93;].  National Post website.</ref>

[[File:Martyred in the USSR Poster.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|The above photograph shows the Russian Nikolai Khmara, a new Baptist convert in the [[Soviet Union]], after his arrest by the [[KGB]]. He was tortured to death and his tongue cut out.<ref>[http://martyredintheussr.com/ Martyred in the USSR]</ref><ref>[http://www.anabaptists.org/books/russians/trs-1.html The Russians' Secret by Peter Hoover with Serguei V. Petrov, Speaking Without a Tongue, Chapter 1 (Pages 1-3)]</ref> ]]

[[File:Martyred in the USSR Poster.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|The above photograph shows the Russian Nikolai Khmara, a new Baptist convert in the [[Soviet Union]], after his arrest by the [[KGB]]. He was tortured to death and his tongue was cut out.<ref>[http://martyredintheussr.com/ Martyred in the USSR]</ref><ref>[http://www.anabaptists.org/books/russians/trs-1.html The Russians' Secret by Peter Hoover with Serguei V. Petrov, Speaking Without a Tongue, Chapter 1 (Pages 1-3)]</ref> ]]

Researchers estimate that tens of thousands of [[Falun Gong]] prisoners in Communist China have been killed to supply a financially lucrative trade in human organs and cadavers, and that these human rights abuses may be ongoing concern.<ref>[http://www.nyjournalofbooks.com/book-review/slaughter-mass-killings-organ-harvesting Review of: Ethan Gutmann, “''The Slaughter: Mass Killings, Organ Harvesting and China’s Secret Solution to Its Dissident Problem''”, (Prometheus Books, 2014).]</ref>

Researchers estimate that tens of thousands of [[Falun Gong]] prisoners in Communist China have been killed to supply a financially lucrative trade in human organs and cadavers, and that these human rights abuses may be an ongoing concern.<ref>[http://www.nyjournalofbooks.com/book-review/slaughter-mass-killings-organ-harvesting Review of: Ethan Gutmann, “''The Slaughter: Mass Killings, Organ Harvesting and China’s Secret Solution to Its Dissident Problem''”, (Prometheus Books, 2014).]</ref>

==== Religious persecution in North Korea ====

==== Religious persecution in North Korea ====