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Atheists sometimes condemn religious desires for exclusive reward (and the punishment of others) such as are found in all religious texts.  

Atheists sometimes condemn religious desires for exclusive reward (and the punishment of others) such as are found in all religious texts.  

== Origins ==

== Origins ==

An atheist would claim that Atheism has existed for as long as man.  That man evolved, then Religion was invented by man.

An atheist would claim that Atheism has existed for as long as man.  That man evolved, then Religion was invented by man.

A Christian would claim it can be traced back to specific date, as Adam and Eve believed in God so at some point somebody must have stopped beliving.

A Christian would claim it can be traced back to specific date, as Adam and Eve believed in God so at some point somebody must have stopped believing.

== Christian View of Origins ==

=== Christian View of Origins ===

It is difficult to trace the origins of atheism as a result of the incomplete historic record. It is known that ancient Greece produced a theory of materialism as early as the 5th century BC.  Materialism is a philosophical position that the material is all that exists. Therefore, it automatically excludes immaterial beings. In addition to materialism the Greeks also considered Spiritualism, in which the material world is an illusion and only spirit exists, as well as dualism, in which both the material and the spiritual exist (e.g. Christianity). It is important to note that while many atheists are strict materialists, some are not. As an example, some philosophical systems generally regarded as religions (i.e. Buddhism) lack deities and thus could be regarded as "atheistic faiths," or forms of non-materialistic atheism. In any case, it is likely impossible to determine the true origins of atheism as it was presumably the default belief of most humans prior to the development of religion.

It is difficult to trace the origins of atheism as a result of the incomplete historic record. It is known that ancient Greece produced a theory of materialism as early as the 5th century BC.  Materialism is a philosophical position that the material is all that exists. Therefore, it automatically excludes immaterial beings. In addition to materialism the Greeks also considered Spiritualism, in which the material world is an illusion and only spirit exists, as well as dualism, in which both the material and the spiritual exist (e.g. Christianity). It is important to note that while many atheists are strict materialists, some are not. As an example, some philosophical systems generally regarded as religions (i.e. Buddhism) lack deities and thus could be regarded as "atheistic faiths," or forms of non-materialistic atheism. In any case, it is likely impossible to determine the true origins of atheism as it was presumably the default belief of most humans prior to the development of religion.

The writer of the Book of Psalms knew of atheists and atheism and registered disapproval in Psalm 14:  "The Fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." The book of Psalms precedes the 5th century BC by hundreds of years {{fact}}.

The writer of the Book of Psalms knew of atheists and atheism and registered disapproval in Psalm 14:  "The Fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." The book of Psalms precedes the 5th century BC by hundreds of years {{fact}}.

== Prejudice Against Atheists ==

== Prejudice Against Atheists ==

However this is not the case around the world, in the United Kingdom 2001 census 14.6% of the population identify themselves as having no religious beliefs.  The percentage of non practising people is likely much higher than this.  It is rare to find discrimination against Atheists in the United Kingdom, in private life or the public eye.

However this is not the case around the world, in the United Kingdom 2001 census 14.6% of the population identify themselves as having no religious beliefs.  The percentage of non practising people is likely much higher than this.  It is rare to find discrimination against Atheists in the United Kingdom, in private life or the public eye.