Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Center for Inquiry

2016-01-27T07:13:16Z

RAbraham:

[[File:Paul Kurtz.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|[[Paul Kurtz]] was the founder of the Center for Inquiry. ]]
The '''Center for Inquiry''' (CFI) is a nonprofit organization. Its main mission is to foster a secular society based on [[Secular humanism|secular humanist]] values. CFI has headquarters in the United States and also has number of locations around the world.

The founder of the Center for Inquiry was [[Paul Kurtz]].

== Infighting within Center for Inquiry and ouster of Paul Kurtz ==

''See also:'' [[Atheist factions]]

Currently, there is an ideological struggle within the [[secular humanism]] faction of atheism concerning how militant the movement should be which primarily arose post [[New Atheism]] movement which is a more militant form of atheism. (see also: [[Militant atheism]] and [[Atheist factions]]). Paul Kurtz was against the secular humanism movement becoming more militant but some newer followers of secular humanism disagree with Kurtz.<ref name="godless">[http://www.buffalonews.com/2010/04/18/1023513/redirecting-a-long-life-of-godlessness.html Redirecting a Long Life of Godlessness]</ref>

On October 10, 2010, a contentious exchange between members of the [[Secular Humanism]] faction of atheism founded by Paul Kurtz and the atheist Ron Lindsay was caught on tape.[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hniP6Ivr5g Video - Part one][http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U22xTou2Wgc Video - Part 2] During the exchange Ron Lindsay said that infighting has been occurring within the Secular Humanism faction of atheism for years.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U22xTou2WgcPaul Kurtz and Ron Lindsay Argument Audio Part Two]</ref> A Paul Kurtz supporter said that Kurtz was censored by Ron Lindsay and his supporters and driven out of the organization that he founded (Center for Inquiry).<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U22xTou2Wgc Kurtz and Ron Lindsay Argument Audio Part Two]</ref> Lindsay claimed, however, that Kurtz voluntarily resigned from the organization he founded and Kurtz was never censored. Furthermore, Lindsay said that Kurtz's idea of a "planetary federation" was impractical. <ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U22xTou2Wgc Kurtz and Ron Lindsay Argument Audio Part Two]</ref> Kurtz countered that he was never allowed to publish why he resigned from the organization and that he was censored by the organization that he founded.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U22xTou2Wgc Kurtz and Ron Lindsay Argument Audio Part Two]</ref>

== Atheist Sikivu Hutchinson's criticism of RDF and Center for Inquiry merger ==
[[File:Skivu Hutchinson speaking at Center For Inquiry.JPG|thumbnail|350px|right|[[Sikivu Hutchinson]] speaking ath the Center for Inquiry. ]]

''See also:'' [[Western atheism and race]]

Atheist [[Sikivu Hutchinson]] wrote:
{{cquote|The recent merger of the secular organization Center for Inquiry (CFI) and the [[Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science|Richard Dawkins Foundation]] (RDF) has been dubbed atheism's supergroup moment. Acknowledging the two organizations' outsized presence in the atheist world, Religion News Service acidly declared it a "royal wedding". The partnership, which gives Richard Dawkins a seat on the CFI board, smacks of a vindication of Dawkins' toxic, reactionary brand of [http://www.salon.com/2013/08/10/richard_dawkins_does_it_again_new_atheisms_islamophobia_problem/ damn-all-them-culturally-backward-Western-values-hating- Muslims] New Atheism. As one of the most prominent global secular organizations, CFI's [http://www.centerforinquiry.net/about/corporate_governance all-white board] looks right at home with RDF's [https://richarddawkins.net/boardandstaff/ lily white board] and staff.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sikivu-hutchinson/atheismsowhite-atheists-o_b_9078736.html #AtheismSoWhite: Atheists of Color Rock Social Justice] by Sikivu Hutchinson</ref>}}

== David Gorski at Scienceblogs criticism of the Center for Inquiry ==

''See also:'' [[Atheist nonprofit scandals]]

David Gorski at Scienceblogs wrote about atheist/skeptic organizations and financial mismanagement:
{{cquote|In any case, this makes me wonder: What is it about rationalist/skeptic groups that make them seemingly have such a hard time running their organizations well from a financial standpoint? After all, just a couple of months ago the Center for Inquiry (CFI) sent out letters desperately begging for more contributions. The reason was that CFI had one large benefactor whose yearly contribution funded approximately 20-25% of the yearly CFI budget. As clueless as I may be about finances, even I know that you don’t use such donations to run the operating expenses of an organization, because you can’t count on them from year to year and it’s too big a chunk. You use this money for special short-term projects and a rainy day fund. Not surprisingly, when this mysterious donor stopped donating earlier this year, suddently CFI was in deep doo-doo from a financial standpoint, prompting the desperate plea for donations and deep budget cuts. I realize that the down economy has played havoc with many nonprofit and charitable organizations, but these issues with skeptical organizations seem to go beyond just that.<ref>[http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2010/10/24/richard-dawkins-sues-josh-timonen/ Richard Dawkins sues Josh Timonen], Posted by David Gorski on October 24, 2010</ref>}}

==References==
{{reflist|3}}

[[Category: Atheism]]

Atheism and the origin of the universe

2016-01-26T21:44:41Z

RAbraham:

[[Image:Bvfgdtre.jpg|right|thumbnail|right|200px|Atheist [[Stephen Hawking]] asserted: "Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing".<ref>[http://creation.com/stephen-hawking-god Hawking atheopathy] by Jonathan Sarfati</ref>]]
Although many [[Atheism|atheists]] indicate that they do not know how the universe came into being, some prominent atheists claim that the universe came into existence from nothing.<ref>[http://canadafreepress.com/article/atheists-respond-to-my-challenge-to-put-up-or-shut-up/ Atheists Respond to my Challenge to Put Up or Shut Up!] by Dr. Don Boys</ref><ref>[https://dailyevidence.wordpress.com/2011/07/31/%E2%80%9Catheists-do-not-claim-that-nothing-created-everything-%E2%80%9D/ “Atheists do not claim that nothing created everything.”]</ref> See also: [[Atheism and beliefs]] and [[Atheist worldview]]

[[Jonathan Sarfati]] wrote about atheist [[Stephen Hawking]] claiming the universe came from nothing: "However, [http://creation.com/loving-god-with-all-your-mind-logic-and-creation logic] doesn’t seem to be his strong point; ‘self-creation’ is self-contradictory. Something can do something — including create—only if it exists; something not yet existing has no power to do anything, including create itself."<ref>[http://creation.com/stephen-hawking-god Hawking atheopathy] by Jonathan Sarfati</ref>

The [[steady state theory]], which posited an eternal universe, was formerly advocated by atheist cosmologists, but it has fallen out of disfavor.

== Prominent atheists claiming the universe came from nothing ==
[[File:Victor J. Stenger.jpg|thumbnail|left|200px|[[Victor J. Stenger]] ]]

''See also:'' [[Atheists and supernatural beliefs]]

Atheist Stephen Hawking claims: "Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing".<ref>[http://creation.com/stephen-hawking-god Hawking atheopathy] by Jonathan Sarfati</ref> Hawking further claims that the universe “popped into existence without violating the known laws of Nature".<ref>[http://canadafreepress.com/article/atheists-respond-to-my-challenge-to-put-up-or-shut-up/ Atheists Respond to my Challenge to Put Up or Shut Up!] by Dr. Don Boys</ref>

Atheist [[Victor J. Stenger]] wrote: "Assuming the universe came from nothing, it is empty to begin with…".<ref>[https://dailyevidence.wordpress.com/2011/07/31/%E2%80%9Catheists-do-not-claim-that-nothing-created-everything-%E2%80%9D/ “Atheists do not claim that nothing created everything.”]</ref>

The atheist philosopher Quinton Smith indicated “the most reasonable belief is that we came from nothing, by nothing, and for nothing."<ref>[http://canadafreepress.com/article/atheists-respond-to-my-challenge-to-put-up-or-shut-up/ Atheists Respond to my Challenge to Put Up or Shut Up!] by Dr. Don Boys</ref>

Wayne Jackson wrote at the ''Christian Courier'' regarding Victor J. Stenger's hypothesis that the universe came from nothing:
{{Cquote|First, in defiance of one of the most elementary principles of logic, the atheist suggests that “something” (e.g., the Universe) came from “nothing;” that zero plus zero equals something greater than zero.

Victor Stenger, an atheistic professor at the University of Hawaii, admits that “everyday experience and common sense” supports the concept that something cannot come from nothing. Nevertheless, he suggests that “common sense is often wrong, and our normal experiences are but a tiny fraction of reality” (26-27). If you want to be an atheist, you must put your “common sense” on the shelf!<ref>[https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/687-folly-of-atheism-the The Folly of Atheism] by Wayne Jackson</ref>}}

== The 1st and 2nd law of thermodynamics and the universe having a beginning ==

According to Ohio State University professor Patrick Woodward, the [[First Law of Thermodynamics]] "simply states that energy can be neither created nor destroyed (conservation of energy)."<ref>[https://chemistry.osu.edu/~woodward/ch121/ch5_law.htm 1st Law of Thermodynamics], Ohio State University, Professor Pat Woodward (teaches for the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry[https://chemistry.osu.edu/faculty/woodward])</ref>

The [[Christian apologetics]] website ''Why believe in God?'' declares about the [[Second Law of Thermodynamics]]:
{{cquote|The second law of thermodynamics, or the law of increased [[entropy]], says that over time, everything breaks down and tends towards disorder - entropy! Entropy is the amount of UNusable energy in any systems; that system could be the earth's environment or the universe itself. The more entropy there is, the more disorganisation and chaos.

Therefore, if no outside force is adding energy to an isolated system to help renew it, it will eventually burn out (heat death). This can be applied to a sun as well as a cup of tea - left to themselves, both will grow cold. You can heat up a cold tea, you cannot heat up a cold sun. NOTE: when a hot tea in an air tight room goes cold (loses all it's energy) not only do we NOT expect the process to reverse by natural causes (ie. the tea will get hot again), but both room temp and tea temp will be equal. Keep that in mind as you read the next paragraph.

Look at it like this, because the energy in the universe is finite and no new energy is being added to it (1st law), and because the energy is being used up (2nd law), the universe cannot be infinite. If our universe was infinite but was using up a finite supply of energy, it would have suffered 'heat death' a long time ago! If the universe was infinite all radioactive atoms would have decayed and the universe would be the same temperature with no hot spots, no bright burning stars. Since this is not true, the universe must have begun a finite time ago.<ref>[http://www.whybelieveingod.net/istheuniverseinfinite.htm Is the Universe Infinite? Past beliefs and implications], Why believe in God? website</ref>}}

Thus, the First Law of Thermodynamics and the Second Law of Thermodynamics point to the [[universe]] having a beginning.<ref>
*[http://www.creationencounter.com/space/lawsofscience.php CAN LAWS OF SCIENCE EXPLAIN THE ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE?]
*[http://cavern.uark.edu/~cdm/creation/universeorigin.htm Evidence for the Supernatural Creation of the Universe] by Patrick R. Briney, Ph.D.
*[http://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=9&article=3704 The Laws of Thermodynamics Don't Apply to the Universe!] by Jeff Miller, Ph.D.
*[http://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=9&article=2106 God and the Laws of Thermodynamics: A Mechanical Engineer’s Perspective] by Jeff Miller, Ph.D.
*[http://creation.com/if-god-created-the-universe-then-who-created-god If God created the universe, then who created God?] by Jonathan Sarfati, Ph.D.
*[http://creation.com/eternal-universe Has the universe always existed?]</ref>

== Theistic implications of the 1st and 2nd laws of thermodynamics ==

In the articles below, [[Theism|theists]] point out that the First Law of Thermodynamics and the Second Law of Thermodynamics point to the universe having a divine origin:

*[http://www.creationencounter.com/space/lawsofscience.php Can the laws of science explain the origin of the universe?]

*[http://cavern.uark.edu/~cdm/creation/universeorigin.htm Evidence for the Supernatural Creation of the Universe] by Patrick R. Briney, Ph.D.

*[http://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=9&article=3704 The Laws of Thermodynamics Don't Apply to the Universe!] by Jeff Miller, Ph.D.

*[http://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=9&article=2106 God and the Laws of Thermodynamics: A Mechanical Engineer’s Perspective] by Jeff Miller, Ph.D.

*[http://creation.com/if-god-created-the-universe-then-who-created-god If God created the universe, then who created God?] by Jonathan Sarfati, Ph.D.

*[http://creation.com/eternal-universe Has the universe always existed?]

== Abrahamic religions, the eternal nature of God and a common atheist misunderstanding ==
[[File:Safarti3.jpg|alt=evolutionary theory opponent|thumb|260px|right|[[Jonathan Sarfati]] wrote about the eternal nature of God and the question "If God created the universe, then who created God?": "A number of sceptics ask this question. But God by definition is the uncreated creator of the universe, so the question ‘Who created God?’ is illogical, just like ‘To whom is the bachelor married?’".<ref>[http://creation.com/if-god-created-the-universe-then-who-created-god If God created the universe, then who created God?] by Jonathan Sarfati, Ph.D.</ref>]]
The [[Abraham]]ic religions of [[Christianity]], [[Judaism]] and [[Islam]] maintain that [[God]], who is eternal, supernaturally created the universe. The physicist Gordon Van Whyden wrote in his book ''Thermodynamics'': "The author has found that the 2nd law tends to increase his conviction that there is a creator who has the answer for the future destiny of man and the universe."<ref>[http://www.creationencounter.com/space/lawsofscience.php CAN LAWS OF SCIENCE EXPLAIN THE ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE?]</ref>

A classic [[Arguments for the existence of God|argument for the existence of God]] is the [[cosmological argument]]. According to the cosmological argument, every event in our [[universe]] necessarily has a cause. However, it is impossible that there should be an unending chain of causes going back. Therefore, there necessarily must be a cause ''distinct'' from the universe as we know it which is capable of causing all things and is itself uncaused. Atheism denies that that [[First Cause|first cause]] is God.

The [[Arguments for the existence of God#Kalam cosmological argument|Kalam cosmological argument]] is a modern formulation of the cosmological argument which rooted in the Ilm al-Kalam heritage within medieval Islamic scholasticism.

Christians point out that the question "Who created God", which is often posed by atheists, is an illogical question.<ref>[http://creation.com/who-created-god Who created God] by Don Batten</ref><ref>[http://creation.com/if-god-created-the-universe-then-who-created-god If God created the universe, then who created God?] by Jonathan Sarfati, Ph.D.</ref><ref>[http://www.compellingtruth.org/who-created-God.html Who created God]</ref>

Jonathan Sarfati wrote about the eternal nature of God and the question "If God created the universe, then who created God?": "A number of sceptics ask this question. But God by definition is the uncreated creator of the universe, so the question ‘Who created God?’ is illogical, just like ‘To whom is the bachelor married?’".<ref>[http://creation.com/if-god-created-the-universe-then-who-created-god If God created the universe, then who created God?] by Jonathan Sarfati, Ph.D.</ref>

Many atheists do not have a firm understanding of [[theology]], so they may be unaware of the eternal nature of God which is a part of Christian, Jewish and Islamic theology.

== Lawrence Kraus, the origin of the universe and the fallacy of equivocation ==

''See also:'' [[Atheism and equivocation]]

David Darling in the science magazine New Scientists wrote:
{{Cquote|What is a big deal - the biggest deal of all - is how you get something out of nothing! Don't let the cosmologists try to kid you on this one. They have not got a clue either... 'In the beginning,' they will say, 'there was nothing - no time, space, matter or energy. Then there was a [[Quantum mechanics|quantum]] fluctuation from which...' Whoa! Stop right there. You see what I mean? First there is nothing, then there is something. And the cosmologists try to bridge the two with a quantum flutter... Then they are away and before you know it, they have pulled a hundred billion galaxies out of their quantum hats.<ref>[http://www.creationencounter.com/space/lawsofscience.php CAN LAWS OF SCIENCE EXPLAIN THE ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE?]</ref>}}
[[File:Lawrence Krauss at American Atheists conference.jpg|left|thumbnail|300px|right|Atheist [[Lawrence Krauss]] speaking at an [[American Atheists]] conference. ]]
The [[CARM|Christian Apologetics and Research Ministy]] (CARM) points out that the atheist [[Lawrence Krauss]] uses the [[logical fallacy]] of [[equivocation]] in his failed attempt to explain the origin of the universe.

CARM declares:
{{cquote|But I have a bone to pick with Dr. Krauss about his latest book, A Universe from Nothing, which has the subtitle Why there is something rather than nothing? Those having taken an intro to philosophy class will recognize that Krauss’ subtitle is a rendition of the most basic philosophical question of existence, which has been attributed to truth seekers such as Gottfried Leibniz who asked, “Why do we have something rather than nothing at all?”....

You would think that by the title of Krauss’ book he answers the question that Leibniz posed, but he doesn’t. Instead, he redefines what ‘nothing’ is. ‘Nothing’ to Dr. Krauss would be empty space or the quantum vacuum....

Dictionary.com defines ‘nothing’ as:

1. no thing; not anything; naught: to say nothing.
2. no part, share, or trace (usually followed by of ): The house showed nothing of its former magnificence.
3. something that is nonexistent.
4. nonexistence; nothingness: The sound faded to nothing.

But, I think the best definition of ‘nothing’ is Aristotle’s: “Nothing is what rocks dream about.”

Why does Krauss attempt to redefine ‘nothing’? Because Krauss is an atheist and a fairly acerbic one at that. He not only doesn’t believe in God but also doesn’t like God. Here is the problem Krauss faces: If nothing is really nothing and we have something (the universe) from a real nothing, then it points to the universe having a beginning. And as Stephen Hawking has observed, “Many people do not like the idea that time has a beginning, probably because it smacks of divine intervention.”

The problem is that empty space and/or the quantum vacuum aren’t nothing; they’re something. So Krauss’ book does absolutely ‘nothing’ to answer Leibniz’s question and leaves his readers no better off than they were before where the issue of the origin of the universe is concerned.

All the scientific evidence points to the universe exploding out of true nothingness, but atheists like Krauss hate this truth.<ref>[https://carm.org/lawrence-krauss-atheist-definition-of-nothing Lawrence Krauss and the Atheist Definition of Nothing], by Robin Schumacher, edited by Matt Slick</ref>}}

The philosopher of science and physicist David Albert, in a review for ''The New York Times'', wrote:
{{cquote|He complains that “some philosophers and many theologians define and redefine ‘nothing’ as not being any of the versions of nothing that scientists currently describe,” and that “now, I am told by religious critics that I cannot refer to empty space as ‘nothing,’ but rather as a ‘quantum vacuum,’ to distinguish it from the philosopher’s or theologian’s idealized ‘nothing,’ ” and he does a good deal of railing about “the intellectual bankruptcy of much of theology and some of modern philosophy.” But all there is to say about this, as far as I can see, is that Krauss is dead wrong and his religious and philosophical critics are absolutely right. Who cares what we would or would not have made a peep about a hundred years ago? We were wrong a hundred years ago. We know more now. And if what we formerly took for nothing turns out, on closer examination, to have the makings of protons and neutrons and tables and chairs and planets and solar systems and galaxies and universes in it, then it wasn’t nothing, and it couldn’t have been nothing, in the first place. And the history of science — if we understand it correctly — gives us no hint of how it might be possible to imagine otherwise.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/25/books/review/a-universe-from-nothing-by-lawrence-m-krauss.html?_r=0 On the Origin of Everything: ‘A Universe From Nothing],’ by Lawrence M. Krauss By DAVID ALBERT, ''The New York Times'', MARCH 23, 2012</ref>}}

=== Richard Dawkins' endorsement of Krauss' book ''A Universe from Nothing''===

The [[New Atheism|new atheist]] and agnostic [[Richard Dawkins]] wrote about Krauss' book ''A Universe from Nothing'', "The title means exactly what it says. And what is says is devastating."<ref>[http://www.bethinking.org/is-there-a-creator/a-universe-from-someone-against-lawrence-krauss A Universe From Someone: Against Lawrence Krauss] by Peter S. Williams</ref>

Dawkins wrote about the origin of the universe, “The fact that life evolved out of nearly nothing, some 10 billion years after the universe evolved literally out of nothing, is a fact so staggering that I would be mad to attempt words to do it justice.<ref>[http://canadafreepress.com/article/atheists-respond-to-my-challenge-to-put-up-or-shut-up/ Atheists Respond to my Challenge to Put Up or Shut Up!] by Dr. Don Boys</ref><ref>[http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/r/richarddaw363339.html Richard Dawkins quote]</ref>

== Christian evangelist and author Ray Comfort on nothing creating everything ==
[[File:Ray Comfort Promo Picture.jpg|right|thumbnail|200px|[[Ray Comfort]] ]]
In his book ''Nothing Created Everything'', Christian evangelist [[Ray Comfort]] wrote:
{{Cquote|AS WE HAVE seen, man cannot create a grain of sand from nothing, let alone a living, breathing entity. He can manipulate, engineer, influence, or maneuver but he cannot create a green pea, sheep, chickens, a pig, a tree, or even a flea, from nothing. Again, we know that with all of his genius, man cannot create anything from nothing. So how intellectually preposterous is it to actually believe that in the beginning nothing created everything. Atheism is off the charts in human folly. By contrast, the [[Flat Earth|flat-earther]] is a real genius.<ref>''Nothing Created Everything: The Scientific Impossibility of Atheistic Evolution'' by Ray Comfort, page 43</ref>}}

In response to Richard Dawkins writing that the universe evolved literally out of nothing, [[Ray Comfort]] wrote:
{{Cquote|Anyone who tries to actually justify that nothing created everything has to be insane. This is a scientific impossibility. There’s no way to say it kindly, but such thoughts show that the atheist doesn’t think, and proves the Bible right when it says that the fool has said in his heart that there is no God.”<ref>[http://www.equip.org/bookstore/nothing-created-everything-the-scientific-impossibility-of-atheistic-evolution/ Nothing Created Everything]</ref>}}

== See also ==

*[[Cosmological argument]]

*[[Multiverse]]

*[[Anthropic principle]]

== External links ==

*[https://www.icr.org/article/6901 A Universe from Nothing?] by Jake Hebert, Ph.D.
*[http://www.bethinking.org/is-there-a-creator/a-universe-from-someone-against-lawrence-krauss A Universe From Someone: Against Lawrence Krauss] by Peter S. Williams

==References==
<references/>

[[Category: Atheism]]
[[Category: Cosmology]]

Cryptocurrency

2016-01-26T21:44:18Z

RAbraham: whoops

'''Cryptocurrency''' is an alternate form of currency which, like most modern money, has no actual value. It is not backed by gold or any other physical thing--instead, it is backed by the investment of others. Unbacked money is only worth the value people put into it, and cryptocurrency was designed with this in mind. Most of the kinds are based on the [[proof-of-work]] model, which meant that the value of the currency is based on the work others put into it. This work is done in the form of mining, which is the act of generating new blocks of crypocurrency. Only a few are based on the [[proof-of-stake]] model, in which it is earned by investing the currency itself.

==History==
On the evening of January 3, 2009, a person going by the name of Satoshi Nakamoto released [[Bitcoin]], the first-ever cryptocurrency. This [[Bitcoin]] system he had single-handedly created was composed in all of about thirty-one thousand lines of code. <ref>http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/10/10/the-crypto-currency</ref> This new [[Bitcoin]] met with some success, and before long there were other cryptocurrencies being created. Many of these use a similar base to that of [[Bitcoin]], including [[LiteCoin]].

==How it works==
===[[proof-of-work|Proof-of-Work]]===
In this system, an individual runs a "miner" program which works through complex calculations to eventually generate a large block of seeming gibberish--this block is an alt-coin. This block is saved to the user's "wallet," that is, a place of storage for this cryptocurrency. When the user is ready to spend this currency, it is sent to another user's wallet (using a [[wallet address]]) through a [[peer-to-peer]] system.<ref>https://www.cryptocoinsnews.com/bitcoins-future-proof-of-stake-vs-proof-of-work</ref><ref>https://bitcoinmagazine.com/articles/what-proof-of-stake-is-and-why-it-matters-1377531463</ref> 

===[[proof-of-stake|Proof-of-Stake]]===
In this system, an individual buys some of this cryptocurrency which has been originally generated. The user then "stakes" some or all of this as an investment. <ref>http://blackcoin.co</ref> As time passes, the individual receives a small amount of interest from the system. [[BlackCoin]] and [[PeerCoin]] are the best known [[proof-of-stake]] cryptocurrencies. Staking [[BlackCoin]] earns about 1% per year.<ref>https://bitcoinmagazine.com/articles/what-proof-of-stake-is-and-why-it-matters-1377531463</ref>

==Cryptocurrencies==
* [[42Coins]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[Anoncoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[ARCHcoin]]
* [[Asiccoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[BitBar]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[BitCoin]]
* [[BitShares]]
* [[BlackCoin]] ([[Proof-of-Stake]])
* [[Blakecoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[ByteCoin]]
* [[CatCoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[Chuck Norris Coin]]<ref>http://quickercoins.com/chuck-norris-coin</ref>
* [[ClamCoin]]
* [[CoinyeCoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[Copperlark]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[Counterparty]]
* [[CureCoin]] (awarded for folding proteins for medical research)<ref>https://www.curecoin.net</ref>
* [[DarkCoin]] (a.k.a. BitCoinDark)
* [[DashCoin]]
* [[DevCoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[DigiByte]]
* [[DogeCoin]]
* [[EarthCoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[Ethereum]]
* [[EZCoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[Factom]]<ref name="bravenewcoin">http://bravenewcoin.com</ref>
* [[FeatherCoin]]
* [[Franko]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[Freicoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[GridCoin]]
* [[InfiniteCoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[LiteCoin]]
* [[Lumens]]
* Magi
* [[MaidSafeCoin]]
* [[MintChip]]
* [[MintCoin]]
* [[Moin]]<ref>https://www.cryptospout.com</ref>
* [[Mooncoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[Monero]]<ref name="bravenewcoin">http://bravenewcoin.com</ref>
* [[NameCoin]]
* [[NeuCoin]]<ref name="bravenewcoin">http://bravenewcoin.com</ref>
* [[Novacoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[NuBits]]
* [[NXT]] ([[Proof-of-Stake]])
* Opal
* [[OpenCoin]] <ref>http://mashable.com/2013/07/08/bitcoin-alternatives/#LIUqa0O6dEq5</ref>
* [[PeerCoin]] ([[Proof-of-Stake]])
* [[PrimeCoin]]
* [[Protoshares]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* Quark<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[RippleCoin]]
* [[ReddCoin]] ([[Proof-of-Stake]])
* [[RubyCoin]]
* [[Stablecoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[StartCoin]]
* [[StorjCoin X]]
* [[Terracoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[VeriCoin]]
* [[YbCoin]]<ref name="bravenewcoin">http://bravenewcoin.com</ref>
* [[X-Coin]]

...and probably more!

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[category:cryptocurrency]]
[[category:Currency]]

Cryptocurrency

2016-01-26T21:43:47Z

RAbraham: ,

'''Cryptocurrency''' is an alternate form of currency which, like, most modern money, has no actual value. It is not backed by gold or any other physical thing--instead, it is backed by the investment of others. Unbacked money is only worth the value people put into it, and cryptocurrency was designed with this in mind. Most of the kinds are based on the [[proof-of-work]] model, which meant that the value of the currency is based on the work others put into it. This work is done in the form of mining, which is the act of generating new blocks of crypocurrency. Only a few are based on the [[proof-of-stake]] model, in which it is earned by investing the currency itself.

==History==
On the evening of January 3, 2009, a person going by the name of Satoshi Nakamoto released [[Bitcoin]], the first-ever cryptocurrency. This [[Bitcoin]] system he had single-handedly created was composed in all of about thirty-one thousand lines of code. <ref>http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/10/10/the-crypto-currency</ref> This new [[Bitcoin]] met with some success, and before long there were other cryptocurrencies being created. Many of these use a similar base to that of [[Bitcoin]], including [[LiteCoin]].

==How it works==
===[[proof-of-work|Proof-of-Work]]===
In this system, an individual runs a "miner" program which works through complex calculations to eventually generate a large block of seeming gibberish--this block is an alt-coin. This block is saved to the user's "wallet," that is, a place of storage for this cryptocurrency. When the user is ready to spend this currency, it is sent to another user's wallet (using a [[wallet address]]) through a [[peer-to-peer]] system.<ref>https://www.cryptocoinsnews.com/bitcoins-future-proof-of-stake-vs-proof-of-work</ref><ref>https://bitcoinmagazine.com/articles/what-proof-of-stake-is-and-why-it-matters-1377531463</ref> 

===[[proof-of-stake|Proof-of-Stake]]===
In this system, an individual buys some of this cryptocurrency which has been originally generated. The user then "stakes" some or all of this as an investment. <ref>http://blackcoin.co</ref> As time passes, the individual receives a small amount of interest from the system. [[BlackCoin]] and [[PeerCoin]] are the best known [[proof-of-stake]] cryptocurrencies. Staking [[BlackCoin]] earns about 1% per year.<ref>https://bitcoinmagazine.com/articles/what-proof-of-stake-is-and-why-it-matters-1377531463</ref>

==Cryptocurrencies==
* [[42Coins]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[Anoncoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[ARCHcoin]]
* [[Asiccoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[BitBar]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[BitCoin]]
* [[BitShares]]
* [[BlackCoin]] ([[Proof-of-Stake]])
* [[Blakecoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[ByteCoin]]
* [[CatCoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[Chuck Norris Coin]]<ref>http://quickercoins.com/chuck-norris-coin</ref>
* [[ClamCoin]]
* [[CoinyeCoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[Copperlark]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[Counterparty]]
* [[CureCoin]] (awarded for folding proteins for medical research)<ref>https://www.curecoin.net</ref>
* [[DarkCoin]] (a.k.a. BitCoinDark)
* [[DashCoin]]
* [[DevCoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[DigiByte]]
* [[DogeCoin]]
* [[EarthCoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[Ethereum]]
* [[EZCoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[Factom]]<ref name="bravenewcoin">http://bravenewcoin.com</ref>
* [[FeatherCoin]]
* [[Franko]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[Freicoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[GridCoin]]
* [[InfiniteCoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[LiteCoin]]
* [[Lumens]]
* Magi
* [[MaidSafeCoin]]
* [[MintChip]]
* [[MintCoin]]
* [[Moin]]<ref>https://www.cryptospout.com</ref>
* [[Mooncoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[Monero]]<ref name="bravenewcoin">http://bravenewcoin.com</ref>
* [[NameCoin]]
* [[NeuCoin]]<ref name="bravenewcoin">http://bravenewcoin.com</ref>
* [[Novacoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[NuBits]]
* [[NXT]] ([[Proof-of-Stake]])
* Opal
* [[OpenCoin]] <ref>http://mashable.com/2013/07/08/bitcoin-alternatives/#LIUqa0O6dEq5</ref>
* [[PeerCoin]] ([[Proof-of-Stake]])
* [[PrimeCoin]]
* [[Protoshares]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* Quark<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[RippleCoin]]
* [[ReddCoin]] ([[Proof-of-Stake]])
* [[RubyCoin]]
* [[Stablecoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[StartCoin]]
* [[StorjCoin X]]
* [[Terracoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[VeriCoin]]
* [[YbCoin]]<ref name="bravenewcoin">http://bravenewcoin.com</ref>
* [[X-Coin]]

...and probably more!

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[category:cryptocurrency]]
[[category:Currency]]

Cryptocurrency

2016-01-26T21:32:12Z

RAbraham: form of

'''Cryptocurrency''' is an alternate form of currency which like most modern money, has no actual value. It is not backed by gold or any other physical thing--instead, it is backed by the investment of others. Unbacked money is only worth the value people put into it, and cryptocurrency was designed with this in mind. Most of the kinds are based on the [[proof-of-work]] model, which meant that the value of the currency is based on the work others put into it. This work is done in the form of mining, which is the act of generating new blocks of crypocurrency. Only a few are based on the [[proof-of-stake]] model, in which it is earned by investing the currency itself.

==History==
On the evening of January 3, 2009, a person going by the name of Satoshi Nakamoto released [[Bitcoin]], the first-ever cryptocurrency. This [[Bitcoin]] system he had single-handedly created was composed in all of about thirty-one thousand lines of code. <ref>http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/10/10/the-crypto-currency</ref> This new [[Bitcoin]] met with some success, and before long there were other cryptocurrencies being created. Many of these use a similar base to that of [[Bitcoin]], including [[LiteCoin]].

==How it works==
===[[proof-of-work|Proof-of-Work]]===
In this system, an individual runs a "miner" program which works through complex calculations to eventually generate a large block of seeming gibberish--this block is an alt-coin. This block is saved to the user's "wallet," that is, a place of storage for this cryptocurrency. When the user is ready to spend this currency, it is sent to another user's wallet (using a [[wallet address]]) through a [[peer-to-peer]] system.<ref>https://www.cryptocoinsnews.com/bitcoins-future-proof-of-stake-vs-proof-of-work</ref><ref>https://bitcoinmagazine.com/articles/what-proof-of-stake-is-and-why-it-matters-1377531463</ref> 

===[[proof-of-stake|Proof-of-Stake]]===
In this system, an individual buys some of this cryptocurrency which has been originally generated. The user then "stakes" some or all of this as an investment. <ref>http://blackcoin.co</ref> As time passes, the individual receives a small amount of interest from the system. [[BlackCoin]] and [[PeerCoin]] are the best known [[proof-of-stake]] cryptocurrencies. Staking [[BlackCoin]] earns about 1% per year.<ref>https://bitcoinmagazine.com/articles/what-proof-of-stake-is-and-why-it-matters-1377531463</ref>

==Cryptocurrencies==
* [[42Coins]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[Anoncoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[ARCHcoin]]
* [[Asiccoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[BitBar]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[BitCoin]]
* [[BitShares]]
* [[BlackCoin]] ([[Proof-of-Stake]])
* [[Blakecoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[ByteCoin]]
* [[CatCoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[Chuck Norris Coin]]<ref>http://quickercoins.com/chuck-norris-coin</ref>
* [[ClamCoin]]
* [[CoinyeCoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[Copperlark]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[Counterparty]]
* [[CureCoin]] (awarded for folding proteins for medical research)<ref>https://www.curecoin.net</ref>
* [[DarkCoin]] (a.k.a. BitCoinDark)
* [[DashCoin]]
* [[DevCoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[DigiByte]]
* [[DogeCoin]]
* [[EarthCoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[Ethereum]]
* [[EZCoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[Factom]]<ref name="bravenewcoin">http://bravenewcoin.com</ref>
* [[FeatherCoin]]
* [[Franko]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[Freicoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[GridCoin]]
* [[InfiniteCoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[LiteCoin]]
* [[Lumens]]
* Magi
* [[MaidSafeCoin]]
* [[MintChip]]
* [[MintCoin]]
* [[Moin]]<ref>https://www.cryptospout.com</ref>
* [[Mooncoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[Monero]]<ref name="bravenewcoin">http://bravenewcoin.com</ref>
* [[NameCoin]]
* [[NeuCoin]]<ref name="bravenewcoin">http://bravenewcoin.com</ref>
* [[Novacoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[NuBits]]
* [[NXT]] ([[Proof-of-Stake]])
* Opal
* [[OpenCoin]] <ref>http://mashable.com/2013/07/08/bitcoin-alternatives/#LIUqa0O6dEq5</ref>
* [[PeerCoin]] ([[Proof-of-Stake]])
* [[PrimeCoin]]
* [[Protoshares]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* Quark<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[RippleCoin]]
* [[ReddCoin]] ([[Proof-of-Stake]])
* [[RubyCoin]]
* [[Stablecoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[StartCoin]]
* [[StorjCoin X]]
* [[Terracoin]]<ref name="quickercoins">http://quickercoins.com/cryptocurrency-list/</ref>
* [[VeriCoin]]
* [[YbCoin]]<ref name="bravenewcoin">http://bravenewcoin.com</ref>
* [[X-Coin]]

...and probably more!

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[category:cryptocurrency]]
[[category:Currency]]

Atheism and the supernatural

2016-01-26T21:30:22Z

RAbraham: no :

[[File:Hemant Mehta.jpg|thumbnail|right|300px|Atheist [[Hemant Mehta]] pointed out that there are atheists who: believe in ghosts, believe they have a soul, read tarot cards and read their [[horoscope]]s daily.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH2VZ600q2o Yes, atheists CAN believe in ghosts]</ref> ]]
[[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.).
*Sarfati, Jonathan, Ph.D. (23 June 2007). [http://creation.com/atheism-is-more-rational "Atheism is more rational?"]. See [[Creation Ministries International]], [[Jonathan Sarfati]].
*Day, Donn R. (2007). [http://www.thedivineconspiracy.org/athart3.htm "Atheism - etymology"].
*[http://www.reasonablefaith.org/definition-of-atheism Definition of atheism] by [[William Lane Craig]]
*[http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/cri/cri-jrnl/web/crj0131a.html Putting the Atheist on the Defensive] by Kenneth R. Samples, Christian Research Institute Journal, Fall 1991, and Winter 1992, page 7.
</ref> Beginning in the latter portion of the 20th century and continuing beyond, many [[agnosticism|agnostics]]/atheists have argued that the [[definition of atheism]] should be defined as a mere lack of belief in God or gods.
<ref name="Divine">Day, Donn R. (2007). [http://www.thedivineconspiracy.org/athart3.htm "Atheism - etymology"].</ref><ref>[http://www.reasonablefaith.org/definition-of-atheism Definition of atheism] by [[William Lane Craig]]</ref>
<ref name="CRI">[http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/cri/cri-jrnl/web/crj0131a.html Putting the Atheist on the Defensive] by Kenneth R. Samples, Christian Research Institute Journal, Fall 1991, and Winter 1992, page 7.</ref> See also: [[Definition of atheism]]

[[Naturalism (philosophy)|Naturalism]] as a philosophical stance rejects the possibility of [[supernatural]] phenomena, describing such phenomena as misunderstood natural phenomena or falsehood. This preconception necessarily precludes the existence of God.

Although all atheists indicate that they do not believe in the existence of [[God]], as can be seen below, a significant portion of atheists do not strictly subscribe to the philosophy of naturalism. In addition, as can be seen below, there are a significant amount of atheists who believe in superstitious and absurd notions.

== Atheists and belief in life after death ==
[[File:Gravestone.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|According to a study performed in the United States by researchers Wink and Scott, very religious people fear death the least.<ref>[http://www.world-science.net/exclusives/050628_deathfearfrm.htm Fear of death: worst if you’re a little religious?], World of Science]
*J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2005, Jul;60(4):P207-14. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15980288 Does religiousness buffer against the fear of death and dying in late adulthood? Findings from a longitudinal study]. Wink P1, Scott J.</ref>]]
''See:'' [[Atheism and death]] and [[Atheism and life after death]]

Although a majority of atheists do not believe in life after death due to holding to the worldview of naturalism, a significant number of atheists believe in life after death (see: [[Atheism and death]]).

The website the Skeptics Guide indicates that a significant number of atheists and agnostics believe in life after death and the website reported:
{{cquote|A survey compiled in 2014 by The Austin Institute for the Study of Family and Culture (AISFC) reveals that 32 percent of Americans who identified themselves as agnostics and atheists believe in an afterlife of some kind. In addition, 6 percent of the same non-theistic group expressed a belief in a “bodily resurrection”. These numbers were taken from a sample of 15,738 Americans, all of which were between the ages of 18 and 60. According to the data, 13.2 percent of Americans identify themselves as atheist, agnostic, or some other variation of non-believing.

I found these results to be quite surprising. Having been immersed in circles of atheists and agnostics for the past 20 years, the numbers revealed by this study are higher than I would have guessed, by quite a lot. What stands out the most is that 6% expressed a belief in resurrection. It could be a statistical anomaly of some sort (perhaps the respondents did not understand the question about bodily resurrection?) Why an atheist or agnostic would believe that a dead person could come back to life seems entirely contrary to their worldview.<ref>[http://www.theskepticsguide.org/one-third-of-atheists-agnostics-believe-in-an-afterlife Survey: 32% of Atheists & Agnostics Believe in an Afterlife]</ref>}}

(Austin Institute for the Study of Family and Culture Study: [http://relationshipsinamerica.com/religion/do-people-still-believe-in-life-after-death Do people still believe in life after death?])
=== Atheists and fear of Hell ===

There are atheists who have a fear of [[Hell]] (see: [[Atheism and Hell#Atheism and the fear of Hell|Atheism and the fear of Hell]]).

== Atheists and belief in ghosts ==

The atheist [[Hemant Mehta]] is an author, popular atheist blogger, and atheist activist.

In a video entitled ''Yes, atheists CAN believe in ghosts'', although Mehta disagrees with them, Mehta points out that there are atheists who believe in [[ghost]]s, believe they have a soul, read tarot cards and read their [[horoscope]]s daily.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH2VZ600q2o Yes, atheists CAN believe in ghosts]</ref> According to Mehta, merely not believing in the existence of God, strictly speaking, does not close the door to other supernatural beliefs..<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH2VZ600q2o Yes, atheists CAN believe in ghosts]</ref>

== Irreligion and superstition ==
[[Image:2384975035_230a0eac30.jpg‎‎|thumb|right|170px|The [[Wall Street Journal]] reported: "A comprehensive new study released by Baylor University yesterday, shows ...that the irreligious and the members of more liberal Protestant denominations, far from being resistant to [[superstition]], tend to be much more likely to believe in the paranormal and in [[pseudoscience]] than evangelical Christians."<ref>http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122178219865054585.html</ref>]]
''See also:'' [[Irreligion and superstition ]]

In September of 2008, the [[Wall Street Journal]] reported:
{{cquote|The reality is that the [[New Atheism|New Atheist]] campaign, by discouraging [[religion]], won't create a new group of intelligent, skeptical, enlightened beings. Far from it: It might actually encourage new levels of mass [[superstition]]. And that's not a conclusion to take on faith -- it's what the empirical data tell us.

"What Americans Really Believe," a comprehensive new study released by Baylor University yesterday, shows that [[Conservative Christianity|traditional Christian religion]] greatly decreases belief in everything from the efficacy of palm readers to the usefulness of [[astrology]]. It also shows that the irreligious and the members of more liberal Protestant denominations, far from being resistant to superstition, tend to be much more likely to believe in the paranormal and in [[pseudoscience]] than evangelical Christians....

This is not a new finding. In his 1983 book "The Whys of a Philosophical Scrivener," skeptic and science writer Martin Gardner cited the decline of traditional religious belief among the better educated as one of the causes for an increase in pseudoscience, cults and superstition. He referenced a 1980 study published in the magazine ''Skeptical Inquirer'' that showed irreligious college students to be by far the most likely to embrace paranormal beliefs, while born-again Christian college students were the least likely.<ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122178219865054585.html Look Who's Irrational Now] by Mollie Ziegler Hemingway,'' Wall Street Journal'', September 19, 2008</ref>}}
[[Image:Torii-gate.jpg|thumb|left|200px|A torii is a traditional Japanese gate most frequently found at the entrance of or within a [[Shinto]] shrine.
 
 
Nearly everyone in atheistic Japan is careful to have a new car blessed by a Shinto priest.<ref>''The Triumph of Faith: Why the World is More Religious Than Ever'' by Rodney Stark, Introduction section of the book</ref>]]
In 2015, Rodney Stark wrote in his book ''The Triumph of Faith: Why the World is More Religious Than Ever'' about [[secular Europe|secular European]] countries and [[Atheism|atheistic]] [[Japan]]:
{{cquote|35 percent of the French believe in astrology, 35 percent of the Swiss agree that 'some fortune tellers really can foretell the future'; and nearly everyone in Japan is careful to have a new car blessed by a [[Shinto]] priest.<ref>''The Triumph of Faith: Why the World is More Religious Than Ever'' by Rodney Stark, Introduction section of the book</ref>}}

See also:

*[[Atheism and irrationality]]

*[[Atheism and logic]]
{{clear}}

== Atheists and belief in absurd atheistic beliefs ==
[[File:Victor J. Stenger.jpg|thumbnail|right|120px|Atheist [[Victor J. Stenger]] wrote: "Assuming the universe came from nothing, it is empty to begin with…".<ref>[https://dailyevidence.wordpress.com/2011/07/31/%E2%80%9Catheists-do-not-claim-that-nothing-created-everything-%E2%80%9D/ “Atheists do not claim that nothing created everything.”]</ref> ]]
The prominent evolutionist and geneticist [[Richard Lewontin]] admitted:
{{cquote|We take the side of science in spite of the patent absurdity of some of its constructs, in spite of its failure to fulfill many of its extravagant promises of health and life, in spite of the tolerance of the scientific community for unsubstantiated [[Evolution and just so stories|just-so stories]], because we have a prior commitment, a commitment to [[materialism]]. It is not that the methods and institutions of science somehow compel us to accept a material explanation of the phenomenal world, but, on the contrary, that we are forced by our a priori adherence to material causes to create an apparatus of investigation and a set of concepts that produce material explanations, no matter how counter-intuitive, no matter how mystifying to the uninitiated. Moreover, that materialism is an absolute, for we cannot allow a Divine Foot in the door." <ref>http://creation.com/refuting-evolution-chapter-1-evolution-creation-science-religion-facts-bias</ref>}}

=== Prominent atheists who claim the universe popped into existence from nothing ===

''See also:'' [[Atheism and the origin of the universe]]
[[Image:Bvfgdtre.jpg|thumbnail|left|200px| Atheist [[Stephen Hawking]] asserted: "Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing".<ref>[http://creation.com/stephen-hawking-god Hawking atheopathy] by Jonathan Sarfati</ref>]]
Although many atheists indicate that they do not know how the [[universe]] came into being, some prominent atheists claim that the universe came into existence from nothing.<ref>[http://canadafreepress.com/article/atheists-respond-to-my-challenge-to-put-up-or-shut-up/ Atheists Respond to my Challenge to Put Up or Shut Up!] by Dr. Don Boys</ref><ref>[https://dailyevidence.wordpress.com/2011/07/31/%E2%80%9Catheists-do-not-claim-that-nothing-created-everything-%E2%80%9D/ “Atheists do not claim that nothing created everything.”]</ref> See: [[Atheism and the origin of the universe]]

Atheist [[Stephen Hawking]] claims: "Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing".<ref>[http://creation.com/stephen-hawking-god Hawking atheopathy] by Jonathan Sarfati</ref> Hawking further claims that the universe “popped into existence without violating the known laws of Nature".<ref>[http://canadafreepress.com/article/atheists-respond-to-my-challenge-to-put-up-or-shut-up/ Atheists Respond to my Challenge to Put Up or Shut Up!] by Dr. Don Boys</ref>

The atheist philosopher Quinton Smith indicated “the most reasonable belief is that we came from nothing, by nothing, and for nothing."<ref>[http://canadafreepress.com/article/atheists-respond-to-my-challenge-to-put-up-or-shut-up/ Atheists Respond to my Challenge to Put Up or Shut Up!] by Dr. Don Boys</ref>

Wayne Jackson wrote at the ''Christian Courier'' regarding [[Victor J. Stenger]]'s hypothesis that the universe came from nothing:
{{Cquote|First, in defiance of one of the most elementary principles of logic, the atheist suggests that “something” (e.g., the Universe) came from “nothing;” that zero plus zero equals something greater than zero.

Victor Stenger, an atheistic professor at the University of Hawaii, admits that “everyday experience and common sense” supports the concept that something cannot come from nothing. Nevertheless, he suggests that “common sense is often wrong, and our normal experiences are but a tiny fraction of reality” (26-27). If you want to be an atheist, you must put your “common sense” on the shelf!<ref>[https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/687-folly-of-atheism-the The Folly of Atheism] by Wayne Jackson</ref>}}

The [[First Law of Thermodynamics]] and the [[Second Law of Thermodynamics]] point to the universe having a divine beginning.(See: [[Atheism and the origin of the universe#Theistic implications of the 1st and 2nd laws of thermodynamics|Theistic implications of the 1st and 2nd laws of thermodynamics]]).<ref>
*[http://www.creationencounter.com/space/lawsofscience.php CAN LAWS OF SCIENCE EXPLAIN THE ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE?]
*[http://cavern.uark.edu/~cdm/creation/universeorigin.htm Evidence for the Supernatural Creation of the Universe] by Patrick R. Briney, Ph.D.
*[http://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=9&article=3704 The Laws of Thermodynamics Don't Apply to the Universe!] by Jeff Miller, Ph.D.
*[http://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=9&article=2106 God and the Laws of Thermodynamics: A Mechanical Engineer’s Perspective] by Jeff Miller, Ph.D.
*[http://creation.com/if-god-created-the-universe-then-who-created-god If God created the universe, then who created God?] by Jonathan Sarfati, Ph.D.
*[http://creation.com/eternal-universe Has the universe always existed?]</ref>

== Evolution as a secular origins myth ==

''See also:'' [[Evolution as a secular origins myth]]

Since [[World War II]] a majority of the most prominent and vocal defenders of the evolutionary position which employs methodological naturalism have been atheists and [[agnosticism|agnostics]].<ref>
* Dr. Don Batten, [http://creation.com/a-whos-who-of-evolutionists A ''Who’s Who'' of evolutionists] ''Creation'' 20(1):32, December 1997.
* [[Jonathan Sarfati]], Ph.D.,F.M., [http://www.creation.com/content/view/3830 ''Refuting Evolution'', Chapter 1, Facts and Bias]
</ref>

[[Evolution]] is a secular origins myth of [[atheism|atheists]], [[agnosticism|agnostics]] and members of other [[liberal Christianity|theologically liberal]] religious sects (theologically [[liberal]] religious sects often dismiss out of hand various [[supernatural]] events in history due to their hostility towards [[God]] and the supernatural). See also: [[Atheism is a religion]]
[[File:Paul gosselin.JPG|thumbnail|left|275px|[[Paul Gosselin]] ]]
The atheist philosopher of science [[Michael Ruse]] said "Evolution is a religion. This was true of evolution in the beginning, and it is true of evolution still today."<ref>Ruse, M., How evolution became a religion: creationists correct? National Post, pp. B1,B3,B7 May 13, 2000.</ref>

The Canadian [[anthropology|anthropologist]] [[Paul Gosselin]] wrote:
{{cquote|In the world of [[myth]], [[miracle]]s are commonplace and occur regularly. Much the same could be said of evolutionary myths of origins. Just like in the Aboriginal Dreamtime stories and the Wolverine stories from the First Nations of North America, in the evolutionary origins myth one regularly encounters phenomena that are contrary to natural law and which have never been observed by any human. And the first of these miracles is [[abiogenesis]], the transition from inert matter to living organisms, capable of reproducing themselves. But that is just the beginning. From there we go on to the transition from invertebrates to vertebrates, then there’s the transition from marine organisms, such as fish, to terrestrial organisms, the transition from reptiles to mammals, the transition from land mammals to marine mammals and then the transition from crawling reptiles to flying birds. But the greatest miracle of all? This is undoubtedly the appearance of functional genetic code and its chemical basis, [[DNA]], and all this without the intervention of a Programmer. It is clear that miracles abound in the evolutionary origins myth. The faith of evolutionary believers is great, but for my part I have to admit lacking enough faith to believe in such miracles.<ref>[http://www.samizdat.qc.ca/cosmos/origines/myth.htm Myths of Origin and the Theory of Evolution]</ref>}}

Although he is not a [[creationism|creationist]], the atheist [[philosophy|philosopher]] [[John Gray (philosopher)|John Gray]] admitted in 2008 in ''The Guardian'':
{{cquote|A great deal of modern thought consists of secular myths - hollowed-out religious narratives translated into [[pseudoscience|pseudo-science]]. [[Daniel Dennett|Dennett]]'s notion that new communications technologies will fundamentally alter the way human beings think is just such a myth.<ref>[http://www.theguardian.com/books/2008/mar/15/society The atheist delusion, John Gray, The Guardian, Friday 14 March 2008]</ref>}}

=== Evolutionary belief and critical thinking ===

Due to the widespread dissemination of [[evolutionary indoctrination]], [[Creation Ministries International]] developed 15 questions that evolutionist cannot satisfactorily answer (see: [http://creation.com/15-questions 15 questions for evolutionists]).

=== Evolutionary belief and gut feelings ===

In 2012, the science news website Livescience.com published a news article entitled ''Belief in [[Evolution]] Boils Down to a Gut Feeling'' which indicated that research suggests that gut feelings trumps facts when it comes to evolutionists believing in evolution.<ref>[http://www.livescience.com/18051-belief-evolution-gut-feeling.html Belief in Evolution Boils Down to a Gut Feeling] by Live Science Staff, January 20, 2012 04:31pm ET</ref> In January of 2012, the ''Journal of Research in Science Teaching'' published a study indicating that evolutionary belief is significantly based on gut feelings.<ref>[http://www.livescience.com/18051-belief-evolution-gut-feeling.html Belief in Evolution Boils Down to a Gut Feeling]</ref><ref>[http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/tea.20449/abstract Feeling of Certainty: Uncovering a Missing Link Between Knowledge and Acceptance of Evolution]</ref> The January 20, 2012 article entitled ''Belief in Evolution Boils Down to a Gut Feeling'' published by the website Live Science wrote of the research: "They found that intuition had a significant impact on what the students accepted, no matter how much they knew and regardless of their religious beliefs."<ref>[http://www.livescience.com/18051-belief-evolution-gut-feeling.html Belief in Evolution Boils Down to a Gut Feeling]</ref>
Evolutionism is established in people through indoctrination and not evidence.

=== Invalid arguments that evolutionists should not use ===

Due to the existence of poor evolutionary arguments, leading creationist organizations have created lists of poor arguments that evolutionists should not use:

*[http://creation.com/arguments-evolutionists-should-not-use Arguments evolutionists should not use] by Creation Ministries International

*[https://answersingenesis.org/theory-of-evolution/12-arguments-evolutionists-should-avoid/ 12 Arguments Evolutionists Should Avoid] by [[Answers in Genesis]]

=== Ben Stein Interview with the Evolutionist Richard Dawkins ===
[[File:Richard Dawkins - March 2005.jpg|alt=Richard Dawkins|thumbnail|275px|right|[[Richard Dawkins]] ]]
In the movie [[Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed]], [[Ben Stein]] demonstrated the folly of [[evolutionism]] in his interview with the prominent evolutionist and agnostic [[Richard Dawkins]].

The [[Discovery Institute]] provides an transcript of part of the interview along with some commentary:
{{cquote|BEN STEIN: "What do you think is the possibility that [[Intelligent design|Intelligent Design]] might turn out to be the answer to some issues in genetics or in evolution?"

DAWKINS: "Well, it could come about in the following way. It could be that at some earlier time, somewhere in the universe, a civilization evolved, probably by some kind of Darwinian means, probably to a very high level of technology, and designed a form of life that they seeded onto perhaps this planet. Now, um, now that is a possibility, and an intriguing possibility. And I suppose it's possible that you might find evidence for that if you look at the details of biochemistry, molecular biology, you might find a signature of some sort of designer."

Ho,ho! That is precisely what the [[Raëlism|Raelians]] say:

Years ago, everybody knew that the earth was flat. Everybody knew that the sun revolved around the earth. Today, everybody knows that life on earth is either the result of random evolution or the work of a supernatural God. Or is it? In "Message from the Designers", Rael presents us with a third option: that all life on earth was created by advanced scientists from another world.

Richard Dawkins and Rael; "clear thinking" kindred spirits!<ref>http://www.discovery.org/a/4589</ref>}}

In the Ben Stein/Richard Dawkins interview, Richard Dawkins was also asked what the probability is of God's existence is and a rationale for that estimation. [http://www.conservapedia.com/Richard_Dawkins#Ben_Stein_Interview_with_the_Evolutionist_Richard_Dawkins_Demonstrated_the_Folly_of_Evolutionism Dawkins gave a very inept reply to Ben Stein concerning this issue.]<ref>http://www.readyalways.org/Home/does-god-exist</ref>

== Irreligion, extraterrestial life, UFOlogy and other pseudoscience ==

''See also:'' [[Irreligion and superstition]] and [[Atheism and deception]]

The notions of [[extraterrestrial life]] and [[UFO|UFOlogy]] are fast growing [[pseudoscience|pseudoscientific]] [[religion]]s which are perpetuated and/or aided by the ideologies of evolutionists, [[atheism|atheists]], liberals and other promoters of quackery.<ref>http://creation.com/ufology-scientific-religion</ref><ref>http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122178219865054585.html</ref> However, the ideologies of extraterrestrial life, UFOlogy, [[exobiology]], evolution and [[Origin of Life|abiogenesis]] are anti-[[Bible|biblical]] ideas which are not supported by sound [[science]].<ref>[http://creation.com/did-god-create-life-on-other-planets Did God create life on other planets?]</ref><ref>[http://creation.com/origin-of-life-questions-and-answers Origin of life - questions and answers]</ref>

The liberal and [[agnosticism|agnostic]] [[Carl Sagan]], an avid smoker of [[marijuana]] who claimed that marijuana gave him scientific insights, was a prominent peddler of extraterrestial life, evolution and other pseudoscientific nonsense. Sagan's agnosticism and [[scientism]] no doubt helped inspire Sagan's [[pseudoscience|pseudoscientific]] fantasy that evolution was a "fact".<ref>http://www.creationdefense.org/57.htm</ref>

=== Irreligious/atheistic France and the Soviet Union and UFOlogy ===

''See also:'' [[Irreligion and superstition]] and [[Atheism and irrationality]]

On January 4, 2003, it was reported in the newspaper the ''Toledo Blade'' concerning the irreligious countries of the Soviet Union and France that "in countries with a high degree of occult activity such as Russia during the Soviet era, France, and certain parts of Brazil also had high percentages of UFO encounters. During Russia's Soviet period when every expression of religion except occult activity had been outlawed, he said, “Russians were seeing UFOs at five to eight times the rate Americans were."<ref name=Blade>Tarjanyi, Judy. "[http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?SearchID=73122266402007&Avis=TO&Dato=20030104&Kategori=NEWS10&Lopenr=101040052&Ref=AR Astronomer links UFOs to Occultism]." ''The Toledo Blade'', January 4, 2003. Retrieved November 3, 2007.</ref>

=== Christian and Library of Congress researcher's comments on extraterrestial life and UFOlogy ===

[[Christian apologetics|Christian apologists]] who reject naturalistic explanations of life such as the [[theory of evolution]] argue that difficult to explain UFOs are spiritual in nature and not amenable to naturalistic explanation.<ref>
*[http://www.probe.org/site/c.fdKEIMNsEoG/b.4217643/k.5903/UFOs_and_Alien_Beings.htm UFOs and Alien Beings]
*[http://www.letusreason.org/NAM25.htm A UFO 2nd coming]
*[http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/lifemars.html Are We Alone in the Universe?]
*[http://www.creation.com/content/view/2995/ Alien Life/UFO Questions and Answers UFO Questions and Answers]
*[http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/alien.asp Alien Life/UFO Questions and Answers UFO Questions and Answers]</ref> Gary Bates of [[Creation Ministries International]] wrote a book entitled ''Alien Intrusion'' which gives a biblical Christian perspective on the unscientific notions of extraterrestial life and UFUlogy.<ref>http://www.alienintrusion.com/main.html</ref>

Lynn Cato, senior bibliographer for the library of Congress, created a 1600 entry on [[UFO]] bibliography for the [[United States Air Force]] Office of Scientific Research. After a two year investigation, in which she reviewed thousands of documents, Catoe stated: {{Cquote|A large part of the available UFO literature...deals with subjects like mental telepathy, automatic writing and invisible entities...poltergeist manifestations and 'possession'....Many of the UFO reports now being published in the popular press recount alleged incidents that are strikingly similar to [[demon|demonic]] possession and psychic phenomenon which have long been known to [[Theology|theologians]] and parapsychologists.<ref name=Reason>Authors unknown. "[http://www.letusreason.org/NAM25.htm A UFO 2nd Coming]." Let Us Reason Ministries, 2007. Retrieved November 3, 2007.</ref><ref name=Gleghorn>Gleghorn, Michael. "[http://www.probe.org/cults-and-world-religions/cults-and-world-religions/ufos-and-alien-beings.html UFO's and Alien Beings]." Probe Ministries. Retrieved November 3, 2007.</ref>}}

== See also ==

*[[Atheist worldview]]

*[[Atheism and beliefs]]

*[[Atheism and irrationality]]

*[[Evolution and Cases of Fraud, Hoaxes and Speculation]]

*[[Evolution, Liberalism, Atheism, and Irrationality]]

*[[Atheist hypocrisy]]

== Notes ==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
[[Category: Atheism]]
[[Category: Philosophy]]

Atheism and life after death

2016-01-26T21:27:15Z

RAbraham:

[[File:Atheism and death.jpg|thumbnail|300px|right|According to a study performed in the United States by researchers Wink and Scott, very religious people fear death the least.<ref>[http://www.world-science.net/exclusives/050628_deathfearfrm.htm Fear of death: worst if you’re a little religious?], World of Science]
*J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2005, Jul;60(4):P207-14. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15980288 Does religiousness buffer against the fear of death and dying in late adulthood? Findings from a longitudinal study]. Wink P1, Scott J.</ref>]]
The website ''Skeptics Guide'' indicates that a significant number of [[Atheism|atheists]] and [[Agnosticism|agnostics]] believe in life after death and the website reported:
{{cquote|A survey compiled in 2014 by The Austin Institute for the Study of Family and Culture (AISFC) reveals that 32 percent of Americans who identified themselves as agnostics and atheists believe in an afterlife of some kind. In addition, 6 percent of the same non-theistic group expressed a belief in a “bodily resurrection”. These numbers were taken from a sample of 15,738 Americans, all of which were between the ages of 18 and 60. According to the data, 13.2 percent of Americans identify themselves as atheist, agnostic, or some other variation of non-believing.

I found these results to be quite surprising. Having been immersed in circles of atheists and agnostics for the past 20 years, the numbers revealed by this study are higher than I would have guessed, by quite a lot. What stands out the most is that 6% expressed a belief in resurrection. It could be a statistical anomaly of some sort (perhaps the respondents did not understand the question about bodily resurrection?) Why an atheist or agnostic would believe that a dead person could come back to life seems entirely contrary to their worldview.<ref>[http://www.theskepticsguide.org/one-third-of-atheists-agnostics-believe-in-an-afterlife Survey: 32% of Atheists & Agnostics Believe in an Afterlife]</ref>}}
[[File:Laying on of hands.jpg|thumbnail|270px|left|Ninety-four percent of [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostals]] believe in an afterlife according to a survey of the Austin Institute for the Study of Family and Culture.<ref>Study, Austin Institute for the Study of Family and Culture: [http://relationshipsinamerica.com/religion/do-people-still-believe-in-life-after-death Do people still believe in life after death?]</ref>]]
According to the original Austin Institute for the Study of Family and Culture report:
{{cquote|Mormons reported the highest rate of belief in a conscious afterlife (98 percent), followed by [[evangelicalism|evangelicals]], [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostals]], and fundamentalist Protestants (94 percent). Even mainline Protestants only trailed slightly, at 93 percent. Nine in ten Muslims indicated their agreement, while varieties of Catholic American trailed them (with traditional Catholics peaking at 85 percent). Jews (58 percent) and Hindus (59 percent) were the least likely among religious Americans to believe in life after death. Predictably, those without a religious affiliation (or who called themselves atheists or agnostics) were least confident in life after death, at 32 percent. By contrast, Americans who identify as spiritual-but-not-religious, which represents nearly eight (8) percent of the population, were far more confident in life after death (79 percent).<ref>Study, Austin Institute for the Study of Family and Culture: [http://relationshipsinamerica.com/religion/do-people-still-believe-in-life-after-death Do people still believe in life after death?]</ref>}}

For more information, please see: [[Atheism and death]]

== Atheism and Hell ==

''See also:'' [[Atheism and Hell]]

=== The journalist and ex-atheist Peter Hitchens and fear of Hell ===
[[Image:Peter_Hitchens.jpg|right|thumb|300px|[[Peter Hitchens]] ]]
The journalist and [[ex-atheists|ex-atheist]] [[Peter Hitchens]], who is the brother of the late atheist [[Christopher Hitchens]], said upon seeing an art exhibit of [[Michelangelo]]'s painting ''The Last Judgment'' he came to the realization that he might be judged which startled him.<ref>[http://vimeo.com/10354237 Interview of Peter Hitchens] - Video at Vimeo</ref> This started a train of thought within Peter Hichens that eventually led him to become a [[Christian]].<ref>[http://vimeo.com/10354237 Interview of Peter Hitchens] - Video at Vimeo</ref>

=== Child/teen atheist and fear of hell ===

A child/teen atheist wrote to the atheist psychologist Dr. Darrell Ray:
{{cquote|Dear Darrel,

I have recently decided that I am an atheist. The problem is that I am now much more anxious about my own mortality, and the mortality of the people I care about. It is scary to suddenly feel like there isn’t a God looking out for us, and that there will just be nothing after we die. Also I can’t help being afraid that [[Atheism and hell|if I am wrong I will go to Hell]]. How should I cope with these fears?<ref>[http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:ueb3ZvezKZoJ:kidswithoutgod.com/teens/ask/how-do-atheists-handle-the-fear-of-death/+&cd=6&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a Google cache of How do atheists handle the fear of death at: http://kidswithoutgod.com/teens/ask/how-do-atheists-handle-the-fear-of-death/]</ref>}}

=== Atheist posting at the ThinkingAtheist.com forum about his fear of death ===
[[File:Damned souls going to hell.jpg|thumbnail|360px|left|Last Judgment by Johann Georg Unruhe - Damned souls going to [[Hell]].]]
In December of 2012, an atheist posted in the ThinkingAtheist.com forum:
{{cquote|I have been an atheist for about a year and a half. I wasn't heavily indoctrinated or raised religious but I did believe in god for the first 16 years of my life. I always believed in a [[hell]] but I thought that only murders and people like that went there. It wasn't until I went through this like 6 month religious phase that I learned all the rules and that a lot more things can get you sent to hell then I thought. During this time my anxiety and ocd got really bad. Now I am an atheist but I still suffer from [[Atheism and hell|a fear in hell]].

I get negative thoughts about [[satan]] and hell and I don't believe in god but I worry "what if I'm wrong?". It's really frustrating because I feel like a hypocrite that I don't believe in god but I keep getting worried and anxiety about what if I'm wrong.

I was just wondering if any of you feel the same thing I do or any tips on how to get over it.<ref>[http://www.thethinkingatheist.com/forum/Thread-I-have-a-fear-of-Hell I have a fear of hell], Thinkingatheist.com forum, posted 28-12-2012, 04:50 AM</ref>}}

=== There are no atheists in Hell ===

Christian author Dr. R.T Kendall writes in book ''He Saves: The Assurance of Salvation through Faith'':
{{cquote|For There are no atheists in hell. They may have been atheists before they went to hell. But once they are in hell they become total believers in the existence and justice of God.<ref>''He Saves: The Assurance of Salvation through Faith'' by Dr. R.T Kendall, Cross Books Publishing, 2013</ref>}}

== Atheists and belief in ghosts ==

The atheist [[Hemant Mehta]] is an author, popular atheist blogger, and atheist activist.

In a video entitled ''Yes, atheists CAN believe in ghosts'', although Mehta disagrees with them, Mehta points out that there are atheists who: believe in [[ghost]]s, believe they have a soul, read tarot cards and read their [[horoscope]]s daily.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH2VZ600q2o Yes, atheists CAN believe in ghosts]</ref> According to Mehta, merely not believing in the existence of God, strictly speaking, does not close the door to other supernatural beliefs..<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH2VZ600q2o Yes, atheists CAN believe in ghosts]</ref>

== Richard Dawkins, deism and an afterlife ==
[[File:Richard Dawkins in Australia.jpg|thumbnail|200px|Richard Dawkins said, ""A serious case could be made for a [[deism|deistic]] God." <ref>[http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2008/11/richard-dawkins-clear-thinking-oasis-is-getting-a-bit-muddy Richard Dawkins’ "Clear Thinking Oasis" is Getting a Bit Muddy] by Wesley J. Smith, ''First Things'', November 7, 2008</ref><ref>[http://billmuehlenberg.com/2008/10/30/dawkins-deism-and-jesus/ Dawkins' deism and Jesus]</ref>]]
''See also:'' [[Richard Dawkins and agnosticism]]

The [[New Atheism|new atheist]] and agnostic Richard Dawkins said, "A serious case could be made for a [[deism|deistic]] God." <ref>[http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2008/11/richard-dawkins-clear-thinking-oasis-is-getting-a-bit-muddy Richard Dawkins’ "Clear Thinking Oasis" is Getting a Bit Muddy] by Wesley J. Smith, ''First Things'', November 7, 2008</ref><ref>[http://billmuehlenberg.com/2008/10/30/dawkins-deism-and-jesus/ Dawkins' deism and Jesus]</ref> Most deists believe in an afterlife.<ref>[http://moderndeist.org/what-do-deists-think-happens-after-we-die What Do Deists Think Happens After We Die]</ref> At the same time, deists maintain that no one knows for sure what happens after death.<ref>[http://www.deism.com/images/DeistLESSONSIXTEEN.pdf Deism and death]</ref><ref>[http://moderndeist.org/what-do-deists-think-happens-after-we-die What Do Deists Think Happens After We Die]</ref>

Previously, in 2002, Richard Dawkins publicly argued for the position of [[militant atheism]] and declared that he will not feel anything after death.<ref>[http://voxday.blogspot.com/2012/02/mailvox-richard-dawkins-is-not-atheist.html Mailvox: Richard Dawkins is not an atheist!]</ref><ref>
*[http://www.ted.com/talks/richard_dawkins_on_militant_atheism.html Richard Dawkins on militant atheism]</ref> A 2012 study by the General Social Survey of the social science research organization NORC at the University of Chicago found that belief in God rises with age, even in atheistic nations.<ref>[http://news.uchicago.edu/article/2012/04/18/belief-god-rises-age-even-atheist-nations Belief in God rises with age, even in atheist nations]</ref>
On the other hand, Dawkins flip-flops between being an [[agnosticism|agnostic]] and an atheist as far as his public persona (see: [[Richard Dawkins and agnosticism]]).

The new atheist [[Atheism and death#Atheist PZ Myers dreamt about dying and standing before the pearly gates of heaven|PZ Myers dreamt about dying and standing before the pearly gates of heaven]].

== Technology and atheists who fear death ==

''See also:'' [[Atheism and death#Religion's/Irreligion's effect on death anxiety|Religion's/Irreligion's effect on death anxiety]]

[[Naturalism (philosophy)|Naturalism]] as a philosophical stance rejects the possibility of supernatural phenomena, describing such phenomena as misunderstood natural phenomena or falsehood. This preconception necessarily precludes the existence of God.

Atheists who strictly hold to naturalism and possess death anxiety, sometimes turn to [[pseudoscience]] such as [[cryonics]] and [[transhumanism]] (see: [[Atheism and cryonics]] and [[Atheism and transhumanism]]).

== See also ==

*[[Atheist funerals]]

*[[There Are No Atheists In Foxholes|There are no atheists in foxholes]]

*[[Atheists and supernatural beliefs]]

*[[Atheism and purpose]]

*[[Hopelessness of atheism]]

*[[Pascal's wager]]

*[[Atheist worldview]]

== Notes ==

{{reflist|1}}

[[Category: Atheism]]

Atheism and death

2016-01-26T21:25:20Z

RAbraham: " vs ''

[[File:Gravestone.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|According to a study performed in the United States by researchers Wink and Scott, very religious people fear death the least.<ref>[http://www.world-science.net/exclusives/050628_deathfearfrm.htm Fear of death: worst if you’re a little religious?], World of Science]
*J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2005, Jul;60(4):P207-14. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15980288 Does religiousness buffer against the fear of death and dying in late adulthood? Findings from a longitudinal study]. Wink P1, Scott J.</ref>]]
A majority of atheists hold to the philosophy of [[Naturalism (philosophy)|naturalism]] which rejects the [[miracles|miraculous]].

''Science Daily'' reported that "Death anxiety increases [[Atheism|atheists]]' unconscious belief in God".<ref>[http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120402094322.htm Death anxiety increases atheists' unconscious belief in God], ''Science Daily'', Date: April 2, 2012</ref> In a ''Psychology Today'' article, Dr. Nathan A. Heflick reported similar results in other studies.<ref>[http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-big-questions/201205/atheists-death-and-belief-in-god Atheists, Death and Belief in God The Effects of Death Reminders on Atheists' Supernatural Beliefs], ''Psychology Today'', Published on May 25, 2012 by Nathan A. Heflick, Ph.D. in The Big Questions</ref>

== Atheist beliefs about life after death ==

''See also:'' [[Atheism and life after death]] and [[Atheists and supernatural beliefs]]

The website the Skeptics Guide indicates that a significant number of atheists and agnostics believe in life after death and the website reported:
{{cquote|A survey compiled in 2014 by The Austin Institute for the Study of Family and Culture (AISFC) reveals that 32 percent of Americans who identified themselves as agnostics and atheists believe in an afterlife of some kind. In addition, 6 percent of the same non-theistic group expressed a belief in a “bodily resurrection”. These numbers were taken from a sample of 15,738 Americans, all of which were between the ages of 18 and 60. According to the data, 13.2 percent of Americans identify themselves as atheist, agnostic, or some other variation of non-believing.

I found these results to be quite surprising. Having been immersed in circles of atheists and agnostics for the past 20 years, the numbers revealed by this study are higher than I would have guessed, by quite a lot. What stands out the most is that 6% expressed a belief in resurrection. It could be a statistical anomaly of some sort (perhaps the respondents did not understand the question about bodily resurrection?) Why an atheist or agnostic would believe that a dead person could come back to life seems entirely contrary to their worldview.<ref>[http://www.theskepticsguide.org/one-third-of-atheists-agnostics-believe-in-an-afterlife Survey: 32% of Atheists & Agnostics Believe in an Afterlife]</ref>}}

(Austin Institute for the Study of Family and Culture Study: [http://relationshipsinamerica.com/religion/do-people-still-believe-in-life-after-death Do people still believe in life after death?])
__TOC__

== Stress and unconscious thinking processes ==

In addition, under stress, the brain's processing works in a way that prefers unconscious thinking.<ref>
*[http://aktuell.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/pm2012/pm00263.html.en Brain processing under stress], Ruhr-University BochumPress release
*[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/31/learn-under-stress-brain_n_3678222.html How The Brain Learns Successfully, Even Under Stress], ''The Huffington Post'' By Carolyn Gregoire, Posted: 07/31/2013 1:00 pm EDT Updated: 07/31/2013 1:14 pm EDT</ref>

== Unconscious thinking and complex decisions ==

According to the prestigious science journal ''Science'', under complex decision making conditions, due to the deliberation-without-attention effect, it has been found that conscious thinkers are less likely to be satisfied with their choices than unconscious thinkers.<ref> Bos, M.W., Dijksterhuis, A., & van Baaren, R. B., [http://www.dc.uba.ar/materias/incc/practicas/p1/The%20Deliberation-Without_Attention.pdf On making the right choice: the deliberation-without-attention effect]. Science, 2006. 311(5763). p. 1005-7</ref> When faced with complex decisions, many people report making sounder decisions after "sleeping on it" and unconscious thinking may be playing a role in this matter.<ref> Bos, M.W., Dijksterhuis, A., & van Baaren, R. B., [http://www.dc.uba.ar/materias/incc/practicas/p1/The%20Deliberation-Without_Attention.pdf On making the right choice: the deliberation-without-attention effect]. Science, 2006. 311(5763). p. 1005-7</ref>

== Unconscious thinking and religious thoughts ==

[[File:800px-KyotoAutumn.jpg|thumb|300px|Autumn in Kyoto, Japan.
 
 
Even in atheistic [[Japan]], researchers found that Japanese children see the world [[Intelligent design|as designed]].<ref>[http://creation.com/children-see-the-world-as-designed Children see the world as designed]</ref>]]
The Bible teaches that creation clearly testifies to the existence of God (Romans 1:19-20). In atheistic [[Japan]], researchers found that Japanese children see the world [[Intelligent design|as designed]].<ref name="Catchpoole">[http://creation.com/children-see-the-world-as-designed Children see the world as designed] by David Catchpoole, Published: 16 July 2009(GMT+10) at Creation.com</ref>
It has been asserted by various theists that atheists do not exist and that atheists are actively suppressing their belief and knowledge of God and enigmatically engage in self-deception and in the deception of others (see: [[Denials that atheists exist]] and [[Atheism and deception]]).

Perhaps, the reason why death anxiety appears to increase unconscious belief in God in the irreligious is that under stressful conditions, such as conditions which arise under death anxiety conditions, atheists' deep seated beliefs that God exist increase in intensity. As mentioned above, under stressful conditions, the brain's processing works in a way that prefers unconscious thinking.<ref>
*[http://aktuell.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/pm2012/pm00263.html.en Brain processing under stress], Ruhr-University BochumPress release
*[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/31/learn-under-stress-brain_n_3678222.html How The Brain Learns Successfully, Even Under Stress], ''The Huffington Post'' By Carolyn Gregoire, Posted: 07/31/2013 1:00 pm EDT Updated: 07/31/2013 1:14 pm EDT</ref>

=== Dr. Nathan Heflick's commentary in the magazine Psychology Today ===

Due to the research showing that death anxiety increases atheists' unconscious belief in God, Dr. Nathan Heflick declared in a ''Psychology Today'' article, "But, at a less conscious (or pre-conscious) level, this research suggests that there might be less [[There Are No Atheists In Foxholes|atheism in foxholes]] than atheists in foxholes report."<ref>[http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-big-questions/201205/atheists-death-and-belief-in-god Atheists, Death and Belief in God The Effects of Death Reminders on Atheists' Supernatural Beliefs], ''Psychology Today'', Published on May 25, 2012 by Nathan A. Heflick, Ph.D. in The Big Questions</ref>

== Religion's/Irreligion's effect on death anxiety ==

=== A United States study indicated that very religious people fear death the least ===
[[File:3403655435 ea7ce6933b.jpg|thumbnail|right|250px|King [[Solomon]] declared in the Book Of Proverbs: "The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion." (Proverbs 28:1).]]
According to a study performed in the United States by researchers Wink and Scott, it was found that very religious people feared death the least.<ref>[http://www.world-science.net/exclusives/050628_deathfearfrm.htm Fear of death: worst if you’re a little religious?], World of Science]</ref><ref>J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2005, Jul;60(4):P207-14. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15980288 Does religiousness buffer against the fear of death and dying in late adulthood? Findings from a longitudinal study]. Wink P1, Scott J.</ref> In addition, the researcher Wen found that the more religious you are, the less you will fear death.<ref> Wen, Y. (2010). [[http://www.hraljournal.com/Page/4%20Ya-Hui%20Wen.pdf Religiosity and death anxiety]. The Journal of Human Resource and Adult Learning, 6(2), 31-37.</ref>

King [[Solomon]] declared in the Book Of Proverbs: "The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion." (Proverbs 28:1).

The Apostle Paul wrote: ""O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:55-56).

=== Lukewarm/moderately religious and death anxiety ===

In the aforementioned study, Wink and Scott found that moderately religious people fear death the most.<ref>[http://www.world-science.net/exclusives/050628_deathfearfrm.htm Fear of death: worst if you’re a little religious?], World of Science]</ref><ref>J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2005, Jul;60(4):P207-14. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15980288 Does religiousness buffer against the fear of death and dying in late adulthood? Findings from a longitudinal study]. Wink P1, Scott J.</ref>

In the Book of [[Revelation]], [[Jesus Christ]] told the [[Laodicean Church|Church of Laodicea]] that He would spit lukewarm members of the church out of this mouth and that they needed to repent and become fervent/hot Christians (Revelation 3:15–16). Lukewarm believers in God are thought to have the fear of [[hell]], but not the inward assurance of going to heaven.<ref>[http://www.world-science.net/exclusives/050628_deathfearfrm.htm Fear of death: worst if you’re a little religious?], World of Science]</ref>

=== Irreligion's effect on death anxiety ===

==== Wink and Scott study: Irreligious and death anxiety ====

According to the researchers Wink and Scott, the irreligious fear death more than the very religious, but fear it less than the lukewarm/moderately religious. Atheists lack the God given courage of Christians with a strong faith, but many are too foolish and arrogant to have enough sense to fear hell. See: [[Atheism and arrogance]] and [[Atheism and moral intelligence]]

For more information, please see: [[Atheist worldview#Atheism and views of death|Atheism and views of death]]

==== Additional information from Science Daily ====

On April 2, 2012, ''Science Daily'' further reported:
{{cquote|New University of Otago research suggests that when non-religious people think about their own death they become more consciously skeptical about religion, but unconsciously grow more receptive to religious belief...

In the first study, researchers found that death-primed religious participants consciously reported greater belief in religious entities than similar participants who had not been death-primed. Non-religious participants who had been primed showed the opposite effect: they reported greater disbelief than their fellow non-religious participants in the control condition.

Study co-author Associate Professor Jamin Halberstadt says these results fit with the theory that fear of death prompts people to defend their own worldview, regardless of whether it is a religious or non-religious one.

"However, when we studied people's unconscious beliefs in the two later experiments, a different picture emerged. While death-priming made religious participants more certain about the reality of religious entities, non-religious participants showed less confidence in their disbelief," Associate Professor Halberstadt says.<ref>[http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120402094322.htm Death anxiety increases atheists' unconscious belief in God], ''Science Daily'', Date: April 2, 2012</ref>}}

==== Stress, death anxiety, increased unconscious religious beliefs and deathbed conversions ====

As noted above, stress tends to increase unconscious thinking process and life and death situations can certainly arouse death anxiety in individuals. This increased unconsciously receptiveness to religious beliefs during stressful life and death situations for atheists could enhance their potential to have a deathbed conversions.
[[File:Richard Dawkins black and white picture.jpg|alt=Richard Dawkins|thumbnail|260px|left|[[Richard Dawkins]] ]]

==== Richard Dawkins crying out to God on live radio under a stressful situation ====

On February 14, 2012, ''The Telegraph'' reported an live radio exchange between the [[agnosticism|agnostic]]/[[evolution]]ist [[Richard Dawkins]] and Reverend Giles Fraser and they reported thusly:
{{cquote|Fraser: Richard, if I said to you what is the full title of [[The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection|The Origin Of Species]], I’m sure you could tell me that.

Dawkins: Yes I could.

Fraser: Go on then.

Dawkins: On the Origin of Species…Uh…With, oh, God, On the Origin of Species. There is a sub-title with respect to the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life.

It was a golden minute of radio. But as well as being hilarious, it was hugely symbolic. In The Daily Telegraph yesterday, Baroness Warsi highlighted the militant secularism on the march in Britain. But as Dr Fraser revealed, the atheist army is led by an embarrassingly feeble general. The arrogance and intolerance of the atheists, exemplified by Prof Dawkins, is their Achilles’ heel. <ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9082059/For-once-Richard-Dawkins-is-lost-for-words.html For once, Richard Dawkins is lost for words]: Atheists’ arrogance is their Achilles’ heel, as a cringemaking radio performance has proved. ''The Telegraph'' By Stephen Pollard, February 14, 2012</ref>}}

So the theory that one could have stress induced increased unconscious religious thoughts and these could have a significant effect due to one's brain processes preferring unconscious thoughts during times of stress is certainly plausible - especially with the addition of the previously cited study from ''Science Daily''.<ref>[http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120402094322.htm Death anxiety increases atheists' unconscious belief in God], ''Science Daily'', Date: April 2, 2012</ref>

==== Bible believers are more courageous than atheists/agnostics ====

Bible believing Christians with a strong faith in God are more courageous than wicked unbelievers (Proverbs 28:1).

In recent years there has been a number of cases where atheists/[[agnosticism|agnostics]] have backed out of debates or refused to debate Bible believing Christians (see: [[Atheism and cowardice]] and [[Atheism and debate]] and [[Creation scientists tend to win the creation vs. evolution debates]]).

For example, the [[Oxford University]] atheist [[Daniel Came]] told the agnostic Richard Dawkins:
"The absence of a debate with the foremost [[Christian apologetics|apologist]] for [[Christianity|Christian]] [[theism]] is a glaring omission on your [[Curriculum vitae|CV]] and is of course apt to be interpreted as cowardice on your part."<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8511931/Richard-Dawkins-accused-of-cowardice-for-refusing-to-debate-existence-of-God.html Richard Dawkins accused of cowardice for refusing to debate existence of God], ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'', May 14, 2011</ref> See also: [[Instances of Richard Dawkins ducking debates]]

Atheists/agnostics frequently do very poorly in debates and rarely do well in debates (see: [[Atheism and debate]]).

=== Muslims and death anxiety ===

Due to their harsh notion of God, Muslims have a significant amount of death anxiety.<ref>[http://epiphenom.fieldofscience.com/2012/03/fear-of-death-is-highest-among-muslims.html Fear of death is highest among Muslims] By Tomas Rees on Saturday, March 24, 2012]</ref>

== Study shows that thinking about atheism increases Americans thoughts about death ==
[[File:Sam Harris 01.jpg|thumbnail|250px|right|[[Sam Harris]] ]]
A study by done at the College of Staten Island by Corey Cook involving 236 participants found that when people thought about atheism it increased their thoughts about death (this was also true for the atheists in the study as well).<ref>[http://www.vice.com/read/atheism-terrifies-people-because-it-makes-us-think-about-death-511 Atheism Terrifies People Because It Makes Us Think About Death] by Simon Davis, Vice News, May 11, 2015</ref> Furthermore, When study participants thought about atheism, it activated concern about death to the same degree as actually thinking about death.<ref>[http://www.vice.com/read/atheism-terrifies-people-because-it-makes-us-think-about-death-511 Atheism Terrifies People Because It Makes Us Think About Death] by Simon Davis, Vice News, May 11, 2015</ref>

=== Dislike of atheists and atheism inspiring thoughts about death ===

In the United States, studies show that atheists are frequently held in low regard (See: [[Views on Atheists|Views on atheists]]). The prominent [[New Atheism|New Atheist]] [[Sam Harris]] said concerning the label of atheist, "It's right next to child molester as a designation."<ref name="Harris">Roberts, Jessica, et al. (June 19, 2007). [http://news21.com/story/2007/06/19/interview_with_an_atheist "Interview with an atheist"]. News21. Retrieved on July 30, 2014.</ref>

''Discover'' magazine wrote about Cook's study:
{{cquote|These death thoughts help trigger a subconscious dislike of atheists, said study leader Corey Cook, a social psychologist at the University of Washington, Tacoma. Not only do thoughts of death put people in a negative frame of mind, Cook told Live Science, but they also prompt people to hold more tightly onto their own values.<ref>[http://news.discovery.com/human/psychology/atheists-inspire-thoughts-of-death-in-many-americans-150523.htm Atheists Inspire Thoughts of Death in Many Americans] by Stephanie Pappas, LiveScience, ''Discover'' magazine, May 23, 2015 09:25 AM ET</ref>}}

== Atheism and ultimate meaning and purpose ==
[[File:Depressed man.jpg|thumbnail|200px|left|Atheists have a higher suicide rate than [[theism|theists]].<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15569904 Religious affiliation and suicide rate]</ref><ref>[http://www.adherents.com/misc/religion_suicide.html Adherents.com - suicide rates]</ref> ]]

''See also:'' [[Atheism and purpose]] and [[Atheism and meaninglessness]]

Under an [[atheist worldview]], there is no objective meaning or purpose in life.<ref>
*[http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/can-life-have-meaning-without-god Can Life Have Meaning Without God?] by James Anderson
*[http://jwwartick.com/2011/01/03/atheism-meaningless/ Atheism’s Universe is Meaningless and Valueless] by J.W. Wartick, January 3, 2011
*[http://winteryknight.wordpress.com/2014/06/03/can-atheists-have-meaning-and-purpose-in-life/ Can atheists have meaning and purpose in life?]
*[http://www.bethinking.org/atheism/reclaiming-reason-from-atheism Why atheism] by Katie Galloway, 2014
*[http://aviewfromtheright.com/2012/04/19/heat-death-and-atheist-inconsistency-or-isnt-it-ironic/ Heat Death and Atheist Inconsistency (or, Isn’t It Ironic?)]
*[http://www.oocities.org/athens/delphi/8449/atheism.html Atheism and Death: Why the atheist must face death with despair] By Dustin Shramek
*[http://pleaseconvinceme.com/2013/apathy-atheism-and-the-absurdity-of-life-without-god/ Apathy, Atheism, and the Absurdity of Life Without God] by Aaron Brake
*[http://withalliamgod.wordpress.com/2010/12/16/the-meaningless-life-of-atheism/ The Meaningless Life Of Atheism] by Daniel Prayson, 2010</ref> See also: [[Atheism and purpose]] and [[Atheism and meaninglessness]]

Through [[Jesus Christ]], [[Christianity]] offers objective meaning and purpose to life.<ref>
*[http://carm.org/meaning-of-life What does the Bible say about the meaning/purpose of life?]
*[http://www.christianbiblereference.org/faq_MeaningLife.htm Under a Christian worldview: What is the purpose and meaning of life?]</ref>

In December of 2003, the University of Warwick reported:
{{cquote|Dr. Stephen Joseph, from the University of Warwick, said: "Religious people seem to have a greater purpose in life, which is why they are happier. Looking at the research evidence, it seems that those who celebrate the Christian meaning of [[Christmas]] are on the whole likely to be happier.<ref>http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/2003/A/20037338.html</ref>}}

For more information, please see studies and historical data relevant to:

*[[Atheism and depression]]

*[[Atheism and suicide]]

== Atheism and transhumanism ==

''See also:'' [[Atheism and transhumanism]] and [[Atheist cults]]

[[File:Julian Huxley.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|The atheist [[Julian Huxley]] coined the term transhumanism.<ref>[http://www.nickbostrom.com/papers/history.pdf A HISTORY OF TRANSHUMANIST THOUGHT, Nick Bostrom, Faculty of Philosophy, Oxford University]</ref>]]
According to the [[Oxford University]] philosopher Nick Bostrum, [[transhumanism]] has its roots in an [[atheism|atheistic]]/[[secular humanism]]/[[evolution]]ary worldview.<ref>[http://www.nickbostrom.com/papers/history.pdf A HISTORY OF TRANSHUMANIST THOUGHT, Nick Bostrom, Faculty of Philosophy, Oxford University]</ref> The atheist, [[evolution]]ist and [[eugenics|eugenicist]] [[Julian Huxley]] coined the term transhumanism.<ref>[http://www.nickbostrom.com/papers/history.pdf A HISTORY OF TRANSHUMANIST THOUGHT, Nick Bostrom, Faculty of Philosophy, Oxford University]</ref>

Julian Huxley wrote:
{{cquote|The human species can, if it wishes, transcend itself – not just sporadically, an individual here in one way, an individual there in another way – but in its entirety, as humanity. We need a name for this new belief. Perhaps transhumanism will serve: man remaining man, but transcending himself, by realizing new possibilities of and for his human nature.<ref>[http://www.nickbostrom.com/papers/history.pdf A HISTORY OF TRANSHUMANIST THOUGHT, Nick Bostrom, Faculty of Philosophy, Oxford University]</ref>}}

The [[pseudoscience|pseudoscientific]] [[transhumanism]] movement which desires to transcend being human through technology and become posthuman in order achieve a type of non-theistic immortality is completely unrealistic and is engaging in wishful thinking.<ref>
*[http://hplusmagazine.com/2011/05/06/against-naive-uploadism-memory-consciousness-and-synaptic-homeostasis/ Against Naive Uploadism: Memory, Consciousness, and Synaptic Homeostasis], Seth Weisberg, ''H+ Magazine'', May 6, 2011
*[http://futurisms.thenewatlantis.com/2010/06/why-transhumanism-wont-work.html Why Transhumanism Won't Work], ''The New Atlantis'', June 10, 2010
*[http://neurologism.com/2013/12/11/will-we-ever-be-able-to-upload-our-minds-to-a-computer/ Will we ever be able to upload our minds to a computer?]
*[http://io9.com/you-ll-probably-never-upload-your-mind-into-a-computer-474941498 You Might Never Upload Your Brain Into a Computer] by George Dvorsky posted at 4/17/13 12:02pm at io9.com
*[http://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2011/06/24/whats-the-likelihood-of-the-singularity-part-two-uploading-the-brain/ What's the Likelihood of the Singularity? Part Two: Uploading the Brain] by Alex Knapp, Forbes, 6/24/2011</ref> See also: [[Atheism and irrationality]] and [[Atheist cults]]

== The atheist worldview cannot explain the existence of consciousness ==

''See:'' [[Atheism and irrationality]]

The [[atheist worldview]] cannot explain the existence of [[consciousness]] either and the [[theism|theistic]] worldview can offer a reasonable explanation.<ref>[http://www.johnpiippo.com/2012/03/argument-from-consciousness-for.html The Argument from Consciousness for the Existence of God] by John Piippo, 3/20/2012
*[http://www.johnpiippo.com/2014/04/one-of-atheisms-irresolvable-problems.html Consciousness: One of Atheism's Irresolvable Problems] by John Piippo, 4/14/2014</ref>

=== Mind uploading and cryonics are unfeasible ===

''See also:'' [[Atheism and cryonics]] and [[Atheism and irrationality]]

Advocates of mind uploading (Mind uploading is the notion that someday mankind may be able to scan and upload their minds to a mechanical storage mediums) are generally strong advocates of [[cryonics]] as well.<ref>[http://www.evidencebasedcryonics.org/tag/mind-uploading/ Mind uploading - Thought experiments as knowledge]</ref> For a [http://www.conservapedia.com/Atheism_and_irrationality#Existence_of_consciousness number of reasons], mind uploading is an entirely unfeasible hypothesis.<ref>
*[http://hplusmagazine.com/2011/05/06/against-naive-uploadism-memory-consciousness-and-synaptic-homeostasis/ Against Naive Uploadism: Memory, Consciousness, and Synaptic Homeostasis], Seth Weisberg, ''H+ Magazine'', May 6, 2011
*[http://futurisms.thenewatlantis.com/2010/06/why-transhumanism-wont-work.html Why Transhumanism Won't Work], ''The New Atlantis'', June 10, 2010
*[http://neurologism.com/2013/12/11/will-we-ever-be-able-to-upload-our-minds-to-a-computer/ Will we ever be able to upload our minds to a computer?]
*[http://io9.com/you-ll-probably-never-upload-your-mind-into-a-computer-474941498 You Might Never Upload Your Brain Into a Computer] by George Dvorsky posted at 4/17/13 12:02pm at io9.com
*[http://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2011/06/24/whats-the-likelihood-of-the-singularity-part-two-uploading-the-brain/ What's the Likelihood of the Singularity? Part Two: Uploading the Brain] by Alex Knapp, Forbes, 6/24/2011</ref> See also: [[Atheism and cryonics]]

== Endeavoring to upload the human brain and achieve a technological singularity ==
[[File:Raymond Kurzweil.jpg|thumbnail|200px|left|[[Ray Kurzweil]] is endeavoring to achieve an atheistic version of heaven.<ref>[http://www.superscholar.org/features/influential-atheists/ ''The 25 Most Influential Living Atheists'']</ref>]]
An article entitled ''The 25 Most Influential Living Atheists'' describes the the atheist [[Ray Kurzweil]] thusly:
{{cquote|Ray Kurzweil sees technology as fulfilling all aspirations previously ascribed to religion, including immortality. He argues that computing machines will soon outstrip human cognitive capacities, at which point humanity will upload itself onto a new, indestructible digital medium (an atheist version/vision of “resurrection”).<ref>[http://www.superscholar.org/features/influential-atheists/ ''The 25 Most Influential Living Atheists'']</ref>}}

The article ''Top 10 atheist inconsistencies'' declares:
{{cquote|Some atheists like Ray Kurzweil advocate transhumanist doctrines that prophesy of a near future - in as few as 20 years, according to him - in which a singularity event will occur. With the singularity event, humans will be able to use science to achieve immortality. Kurzweil speaks of this singularity event with the same fervor in which the proverbial [[Southern Baptist Convention|Southern Baptist]] minister raves about the [[Rapture]]. Fantasizing about post-singularity humanity, Kurzweil proclaims that, being able to live for eternity, we will eventually be able to know everything that can possibly be known.

But does he believe it's possible that there just might be another being in this vast universe who has achieved all knowledge before he has? No, that is ludicrous.<ref>[http://grayknight.hubpages.com/hub/Top-10-Atheist-Inconsistencies ''Top 10 atheist inconsistencies''</ref>}}

== Atheism and cryonics ==
[[File:Cryonics.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|The adherents of [[cryonics]] put the deceased person in cryonic suspension via cooling and perfusing the corpse with cryoprotective solutions.<ref>[http://www.transtime.com/cryintro/cryproto.htm Cryonic Suspension Protocol]</ref><ref>[http://dujs.dartmouth.edu/winter-2012/cryogenesis-a-review#.VDHE0RYy5l4 Cryogenesis: A Review], Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science, In Winter 2012/ March 11, 2012</ref>]]
''See also:'' [[Atheism and cryonics]] and [[Atheist cults]]

[[Cryonics]] is a [[pseudoscience]] that tries to extend life or achieve immortality in a non-theistic way after the person is legally declared dead.<ref>[http://dujs.dartmouth.edu/winter-2012/cryogenesis-a-review#.VDHE0RYy5l4 Cryogenesis: A Review], Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science, In Winter 2012/ March 11, 2012</ref><ref>[http://thehumanist.com/july-august-2011/heaven-for-atheists/ Heaven for atheists - TheHumanist.com]</ref>

[[Robert Ettinger]] was an atheist and American academic who some consider to be "the father of cryonics" because of the impact of his 1962 book ''The Prospect of Immortality''.<ref>"[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/science-obituaries/8658435/Robert-Ettinger.html Robert Ettinger]". The Telegraph. July 24, 2011. Retrieved May 1, 2013. "Despite his Jewish roots, he grew up a determined atheist."</ref><ref>Klein, Bruce (August 13, 2004). "[http://www.longecity.org/forum/topic/4112-the-father-of-cryonics-robert-c-w-ettinger/ The Father of Cryonics], Robert C. W. Ettinger, Interview with Bruce Klein". Immortality Institute. Retrieved May 24, 2009.</ref> Evan Cooper was also a founding father of the cryonics movement.<ref>[http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/dsp.cgi?msg=23124 Evan Cooper and the cryonics movement]</ref> Cooper was a very private man and there may be no record of his [[worldview]] as far as whether he was an atheist, [[agnosticism|agnostic]] or [[theism|theist]].<ref>[http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/dsp.cgi?msg=23124 Evan Cooper and the cryonics movement]</ref> Evan Cooper abandoned the cryonics movement after he felt that the extension of life through cryonics would not be achievable in his lifetime.<ref>[http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/dsp.cgi?msg=23124 Evan Cooper and the cryonics movement]</ref>

According to The Cryonics Society:
{{cquote|Ettinger's reflections on the work of Rostand and other scientists led him to collect his ideas on cryonics into a book. Doubleday, the publishers, sent a review copy to Mensan [[Isaac Asimov]], who gave it a clean scientific bill of health. The book appeared in nine languages, four editions, and became the bible of the cryonics movement. Ettinger found himself appearing on Time and Newsweek and nationwide TV.<ref>[http://www.cryonicssociety.org/articles_mensajournal.html A Brain Is A Terrible Thing To Waste Mensans, Cryonics, and The Fight To Extend Human Life] by David Pascal, Published in the November/December 2005 issue of Mensa Bulletin</ref>}}

Isaac Asimov was a popular American [[science fiction]] writer and a professor of biochemistry at [[Boston University]]. He was also an atheist.<ref>[http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/219935-i-am-an-atheist-out-and-out-it-took-me Isaac Asimov quote]</ref> According to The Cryonics Society, Asimov said of cryonics, "Though no one can quantify the probability of cryonics working, I estimate it is at least 90%..."<ref>[http://www.cryonicssociety.org/aboutcryonics_critics.html Cryonics and critics], The Cryonics Society</ref>

=== Atheist and cognitive scientist Marvin Minsky endorsed cryonics ===

The atheist and American cognitive scientist Marvin Minsky was one of 63 scientists who signed an open letter endorsing the concept of [[cryonics]].<ref>Source that says he is an atheist: Leon M. Lederman, Judith A. Scheppler (2001). "Marvin Minsky: Mind Maker". Portraits of Great American Scientists. Prometheus Books. p. 74. ISBN 9781573929325. "Another area where he "goes against the flow" is in his spiritual beliefs. As far as religion is concerned, he's a confirmed atheist. "I think it [religion] is a contagious mental disease. . . . The brain has a need to believe it knows a reason for things."</ref><ref>"[http://www.evidencebasedcryonics.org/scientists-open-letter-on-cryonics/ Scientists Open Letter on Cryonics]"</ref>

=== Larry King and cryonics ===

[[Larry King]] is an atheist.<ref name="normlive">{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpKgXcDNuo4&feature=youtu.be&t=47m20s|title=Norm Macdonald & Larry King - Norm Macdonald Live - Video Podcast Network |publisher=[[YouTube]]|date=April 30, 2013}}</ref><ref>[http://ppsimmons.blogspot.com/2014/05/howard-stern-and-larry-king-on-atheism.html Howard Stern and Larry King on Atheism and Homosexuality] by Michael Shoesmith, Wednesday, May 7, 2014</ref> In 2011, ''The Telegraph'' in an article entitled ''On Larry King and an atheist's fear of death'' reported about the atheist Larry King, "Larry King, the former [[CNN]] broadcaster, made the news this morning after saying he wants to be frozen after his death, so that he can be revived when medical technology improves.<ref>[http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/tomchiversscience/100122576/on-larry-king-and-an-atheists-fear-of-death/ On Larry King and an atheist's fear of death]</ref>

=== Michael Shermer and other atheist/agnostic critics of cryonics ===

Today, the atheist/agnostic community is largely skeptical of the cryonics movement. For example, in 2001, the atheist/agnostic [[Michael Shermer]] said of cryonics, "Is it? That depends on how much time, effort and money ($120,000 for a full-body freeze or $50,000 for just the head) you are willing to invest for odds of success only slightly higher than zero... I want to believe the cryonicists. Really I do. I gave up on religion in college, but I often slip back into my former evangelical fervor, now directed toward the wonders of science and nature."<ref>[http://www.michaelshermer.com/2001/09/nano-nonsense-and-cryonics/ Nano Nonsense & Cryonics], Michael Shermer, published September 2001</ref>

== Atheist PZ Myers dreamt about dying and standing before the pearly gates of heaven ==

''See also:'' [[Atheists doubting the validity of atheism]]

On October 22, 2014, the atheist [[PZ Myers]] bolstered the case that atheists have an unconscious belief that God exists. Myers wrote in a [[Pharyngula (blog)|Pharyngula]] blog post: "I woke up from a dream a little too early this morning. I dreamt that I had died and gone to a cliché. That’s right, I was standing before the Pearly Gates…"<ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2014/10/22/just-another-dream/ Just another dream] by [[PZ Myers]], October 22, 2014</ref>

It is evident that Myers has no intellectual/evidential justification for the non-existence of God. For example, when the evangelist [[Ray Comfort]] asked Myers why he is an atheist Myers gave the illogical, [[Circular reasoning|circular argument]] response of: "Why am I an atheist? Because there is no God".<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0u3-2CGOMQ Evolution Vs. God Movie]</ref> Previously, the [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologist]] [[Ken Ammi]] criticized Myers for merely presupposing God's non-existence, but not providing argumentation for this position.<ref>[http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/pz-myers-emotively-vociferous-intellectually-mute PZ Myers Emotively Vociferous but Intellectually Mute] by [[Ken Ammi]]</ref>

There have been no reports of [[theology|theologians]] or [[creation science|creation scientists]] having dreams that atheism is true.

== Atheists and the fear of hell ==
[[File:Damned souls going to hell.jpg|thumbnail|360px|right|Last Judgment by Johann Georg Unruhe - Damned souls going to [[Hell]]. See: [[Atheism and hell]] ]]
''See also:'' [[Atheism and Hell]] and [[Atheism and hatred of God]]

The Bible teaches that "There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death." (Proverbs 14:12). Furthermore, the Bible teaches "Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5). Also, Scripture teaches that The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." (Proverbs 9:10).
The psalmist [[David]] declared: "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good." — [[Psalms]] 14:1 ([[King James Bible|KJV]]) See: [[Atheism and arrogance]] and [[Atheism and morality]] and [[Atheism and moral intelligence]]

However. even in atheistic [[Japan]], researchers found that Japanese children see the world [[Intelligent design|as designed]].<ref>[http://creation.com/children-see-the-world-as-designed Children see the world as designed]</ref> The psalmist David wrote "The heavens declare the glory of God..." — Psalms 19:1

=== The journalist and ex-atheist Peter Hitchens and the fear of hell ===

The journalist and [[ex-atheists|ex-atheist]] [[Peter Hitchens]], who is the brother of the late atheist [[Christopher Hitchens]], said upon seeing an art exhibit of [[Michelangelo]]'s painting ''The Last Judgment'', he came to the realization that he might be judged which startled him.<ref>[http://vimeo.com/10354237 Interview of Peter Hitchens] - Video at Vimeo</ref> This started a train of thought within Peter Hichens that eventually led him to become a [[Christian]].<ref>[http://vimeo.com/10354237 Interview of Peter Hitchens] - Video at Vimeo</ref>

=== Child/teen atheist and fear of hell ===

A child/teen atheist wrote to the atheist psychologist Dr. Darrell Ray:
{{cquote|Dear Darrel,

I have recently decided that I am an atheist. The problem is that I am now much more anxious about my own mortality, and the mortality of the people I care about. It is scary to suddenly feel like there isn’t a God looking out for us, and that there will just be nothing after we die. Also I can’t help being afraid that [[Atheism and hell|if I am wrong I will go to Hell]]. How should I cope with these fears?<ref>[http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:ueb3ZvezKZoJ:kidswithoutgod.com/teens/ask/how-do-atheists-handle-the-fear-of-death/+&cd=6&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a Google cache of How do atheists handle the fear of death at: http://kidswithoutgod.com/teens/ask/how-do-atheists-handle-the-fear-of-death/]</ref>}}

=== Atheist posting at the ThinkingAtheist.com forum about his fear of death ===

In December of 2012, an atheist posted in an atheist forum:
{{cquote|I have been an atheist for about a year and a half. I wasn't
heavily indoctrinated or raised religious but I did believe in god
for the first 16 years of my life. I always believed in a hell but
I thought that only murders and people like that went there.
It wasn't until I went through this like 6 month religious phase
that I learned all the rules and that a lot more things can get
you sent to hell then I thought. During this time my anxiety and
ocd got really bad. Now I am an atheist but I still suffer from
[[Atheism and hell|a fear in hell]].

I get negative thoughts about satan and hell and I don't believe
in god but I worry "what if I'm wrong?". It's really frustrating because
I feel like a hypocrite that I don't believe in god but I keep getting
worried and anxiety about what if I'm wrong.

I was just wondering if any of you feel the same thing I do or
any tips on how to get over it.<ref>[http://www.thethinkingatheist.com/forum/Thread-I-have-a-fear-of-Hell I have a fear of hell], Thinkingatheist.com forum, posted 28-12-2012, 04:50 AM</ref>}}

=== Apostle Paul about men suppressing the truth in unrighteousness and the testimony of creation ===

In his letter to the Romans the [[Apostle Paul]] declared:
{{cquote|For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse...." — [[Romans]] 1:19-20 (NKJV)<ref>[[Romans]] 1:19-20 (NKJV)</ref>}}

== Secular funerals ==
[[File:Giles Frasier.jpg|thumbnail|250px|right|Giles Frasier]]

''See also:'' [[Atheist funerals]] and [[Atheism Quotes|Atheism quotes]]

British Reverend Giles Fraser, on secular funerals, article in ''The Guardian'':
{{cquote|And it was here, in this, the religious part of the service, that Cilla was not a celebrity standing before an audience, but a human being standing naked before God. There is a basic democracy in this aspect of religion that is often absent from the secular funeral...

In contrast to the religious funeral, the secular memorial service faces one massive problem. What if the deceased didn’t merit the effusive praise of the recently appointed biographer? What if they had done little of note? Or indeed, even more problematically, what if they had been a total sh*t throughout their lives and no one has a good word to say about them? The secular memorial service is generally based on the optimistic idea that the deceased was worthy of some sort of public commendation – which is why the whole idea of a secular memorial service for a paedophile or a mass murderer feels totally impossible. Would people really stand up to laud their achievements? Would people tell funny little stories about them? Of course not. I use this extreme example to make a point. The secular memorial service began as something for important statesmen and was then adopted by the increasingly Godless bourgeoisie as a way of celebrating their personal achievements. But it’s often poorly designed for those of us who are not a part of the great and the good.

And one unexpected consequence of the rise of the secular memorial service is that funerals are more full of half truths and evasions. Yes, the atheistic mindset is happy that the lie of God has been eliminated. Everything is more honest now, they say. Death is death. No more dressing it up. But things turn out to be far more complicated – for in the secular funeral this so-called lie about God is commonly replaced by another sort of lie, a lie about humanity. Or, at least, a lie about how good this particular person was.<ref>[http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2015/aug/21/at-a-christian-funeral-all-are-equal-before-god-even-cilla-black At a Christian funeral all are equal before God – even Cilla Black], ''The Guardian'', Reverend Giles Frasier</ref>}}

Penelope Nixon, ''The Guardian'', letter to the editor concerning a ''Guardian'' article by the Reverend Giles Fraser:
{{cquote|Life tends to be short in east London, so I have attended scores of funerals in my 68 years. Secular funerals are often dominated by those with the loudest voices and the crassest anecdotes. They confuse the function of the funeral with the function of the post-funeral wake.

The one [[secular humanism|humanist]] funeral I have attended was well-ordered and polite but had to be followed by religious services for family who found the secular event lacked comfort. I am grateful to the Rev Giles Fraser for being so honest in saying what needed to be said.<ref>[http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/aug/26/secular-funerals-can-lack-the-requisite-dignity-and-fail-to-provide-comfort Secular funerals can lack the requisite dignity and fail to provide comfort], Penelope Nixon, ''The Guardian'', letter to the editor concerning a ''Guardian'' article by the Reverend Giles Fraser</ref>}}

For additional information, please see: [[Atheist funerals]]

== Atheism and deaths attributed to atheistic communism ==

''See also:'' [[Atheism and Mass Murder|Atheism and mass murder]] and [[Militant atheism]] and [[Atheism and communism]] and [[Soviet atheism]]

It is estimated that in the past 100 years, governments under the banner of atheistic [[communism]] have caused the death of somewhere between 40,472,000 to 259,432,000 human lives.<ref>Multiple references:
*Anticommunist (April 14, 2004). [http://web.archive.org/web/20130607125427/http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/04/289239.html "The Human Cost of Communism - 100 million"]. UK Indymedia. Retrieved from June 7, 2013 archive at Internet Archive.
*[http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~hpcws/lelivrenoir.htm "''The Black Book of Communism''"]. Harvard University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences website: Cold War Studies.
*Rummel, R. J. (November 1993). [http://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/COM.ART.HTM "How many did communist regimes murder?"] University of Hawaii website; Freedom, Democracy, Peace; Power, Democide, and War.
*White, Matthew (February 2011). [http://necrometrics.com/20c5m.htm "Source list and detailed death tolls for the primary megadeaths of the twentieth century"]. Necrometrics.
*Higgins, David (June 22, 2007). [http://web.archive.org/web/20071008035420/http://www.sarasotamagazine.com/blog/template_permalink.asp?id=365 "Memory and ideology: Washington's newest statue is the Victims Of Communism Memorial"]. Sarasota Magazine website. Retrieved from October 8, 2007 archive at Internet Archive.
*Radosh, Ronald (February 2000). [http://www.firstthings.com/article.php3?id_article=2526 "''The Black Book of Communism: Crimes, Terror, Repression''"]. First Things [journal] website.</ref> Dr. R. J. Rummel, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Hawaii, is the scholar who first coined the term democide (death by government). Dr. R. J. Rummel's mid estimate regarding the loss of life due to communism is that communism caused the death of approximately 110,286,000 people between 1917 and 1987.<ref>Rummel, R. J. (November 1993). [http://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/COM.ART.HTM "How many did communist regimes murder?"] University of Hawaii website; Freedom, Democracy, Peace; Power, Democide, and War.</ref>

[[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 (see also: [[Atheism and communism]] and [[Persecution of Christians in the USSR|Persecution of Christians in the Soviet Union]]).

== See also ==

*[[There Are No Atheists In Foxholes]]
*[[Atheism and purpose]]
*[[Hopelessness of atheism]]
*[[Unattractiveness of atheism]]
*[[Denials that atheists exist]]
*[[Atheism and obsession with God]]
*[[Christian apologetics websites|Evidence for Christianity]]
*[[Resources for leaving atheism and becoming a Christian]]

== External links ==

*[https://www.raptureready.com/rr-atheism.html Atheism: The Cult of Death] by Todd Strandberg
*[http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/09/15/author-and-former-militant-atheist-reveals-what-led-him-to-christianity/ Former ‘Militant Atheist’ Reveals What Totally Changed His Mind About Death, God and the Afterlife] by Billy Hallowell

== Notes ==
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[[Category:Atheism]]
[[Category:Featured articles]]