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[[File:American Atheists.jpg|alt=American Atheists|thumbnail|275px|right|[[Atheism|Atheist]] Nate Phelps spoke at the 2009 [[American Atheists]] convention.<ref>http://lifewithoutfaith.com/?p=183</ref> The atomic symbol/atomic whirl of the American Atheists organization is in the background.

[[File:USVA headstone emb-16.svg.png|alt=Atheism symbol|thumbnail|200px|right|The atomic whirl is one of the common atheist symbols. This atheism symbol is used on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs grave headstones and markers.]]

'''Atheism symbols''' refer to the particular marks that represent [[atheism]]. Atheism has several different symbols it uses to represent itself.  

 

<small>(photo obtained from [http://www.flickr.com/photos/martystone/3435459032 Flickr], see [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en  license agreement]), Title: Nate Phelps AAC00 (a very brave man)</small> ]]

Atheist [[PZ Myers]] has argued that it is inevitable that a "designated symbol of some sort is eventually going to come up from grass roots and become popular..".<ref>[http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2008/08/atheism_symbol.php Atheism Symbol]</ref>  On the other hand, atheist François Tremblay argues that concerted agreement/action is often very difficult to achieve in the atheist community which would argue against a designated and universal atheism symbol occurring anytime soon.<ref>[http://liberator.net/articles/TremblayFrancois/herdingcats.html Herding Cats: Why Atheism Will Lose]</ref>   

'''Atheism symbols''' refer to the particular marks that represent [[atheism]]. Atheism has several different symbols it uses to represent itself. Although atheist [[PZ Myers]] has argued that it is inevitable that a "designated symbol of some sort is eventually going to come up from grass roots and become popular..", atheist François Tremblay in his essay "Herding Cats:

 

Why Atheism Will Lose" argues that concerted agreement/action is often very difficult to achieve in the atheist community which would argue against a designated and universal atheism symbol occurring over a long period of time.<ref>[http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2008/08/atheism_symbol.php Atheism Symbol]</ref><ref>[http://liberator.net/articles/TremblayFrancois/herdingcats.html Herding Cats: Why Atheism Will Lose]</ref>  In 2008, a list of 120 atheism symbols was compiled.<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/05/20/a-collection-of-atheist-symbols/ A Collection of Atheist Symbols]</ref>  

In 2008, a list of 120 atheism symbols was compiled.<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/05/20/a-collection-of-atheist-symbols/ A Collection of Atheist Symbols]</ref>  

 

One of the most frequently seen symbols that atheists use is the "Darwin fish". The Darwin fish is a perversion of the [[Ichthys]], a famous symbol associated with [[Christianity]] and [[Jesus]], and is often associated with [[evolution]] and anti-[[creationism]]. It is often seen as a cynical attack on Christianity.

One of the most frequently seen symbols that atheists use is the "Darwin fish". The Darwin fish is a perversion of the [[Ichthys]], a famous symbol associated with [[Christianity]] and [[Jesus]], and is often associated with [[evolution]] and anti-[[creationism]]. It is often seen as a cynical attack on Christianity.

=== Atomic Symbol/Atomic whirl ===

== Atomic whirl/Atomic Symbol ==

The atomic symbol/atomic whirl was developed by the ''[[American Atheists]]'' in 1963 and represents the belief that human progress can best be achieved through the [[scientific method]] and rational, open inquiry. The symbol has not gained wide acceptance due to its association with hazardous nuclear waste, nuclear bombs and hazardous radiation.

The atomic whirl/atomic symbol was developed by the ''[[American Atheists]]'' in 1963 and represents the belief that human progress can best be achieved through the [[scientific method]] and rational, open inquiry. The symbol has not gained wide acceptance due to its association with hazardous nuclear waste, nuclear bombs and hazardous radiation.

 

 

The [[empty set]] symbol, ∅, was originally suggested by Wayne Otero and was derived from a letter in the Norwegian and Danish alphabet. It asserts the idea that there is no God and shows the obvious spiritual emptiness of atheists. A zero is another similar symbol that's been used.

The empty set symbol, ∅, was originally suggested by Wayne Otero and was derived from a letter in the Norwegian and Danish alphabet. It asserts the idea that there is no God and shows the obvious spiritual emptiness of atheists. A zero is another similar symbol that's been used.

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

This atheist symbol which is a red, italicized "A", is the symbol for [[atheism|atheist]] and [[evolution|evolutionist]] [[Richard Dawkins]]'s "OUT campaign" and was picked at the Atheist Alliance International convention in Washington DC as symbol for atheism for a poster.<ref>[http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2008/08/atheism_symbol.php Atheism Symbol]</ref> Christian apologist [[True Free Thinker|Ken Ammi]] writes: "Obviously, this "A" refers to atheism and yet, has been correlated with "the scarlet letter" in reference to the "A" that was placed on the front of the clothing of adulterers in Puritan communities in places such as Boston. The claim is that just as adultery, and hence the adulterer, were stigmatized atheists have been stigmatized."<ref>http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/atheism-symbols-atheist-symbols</ref> The atheist Dr. [[Sam Harris]] has said concerning the label of atheist, "It's right next to child molester as a designation."<ref>http://newsinitiative.org/story/2007/06/19/interview_with_an_atheist</ref> The Scarlet Script "A" campaign attempts to eliminate religion in politics and schools.

The Invisible Pink Unicorn is not an official symbol of atheism, but many atheists claim that the existence of God can be likened to the existence of invisible pink unicorns. Atheists engage in denialism and often try to suppress the abundant evidence for the existence of [[God]] and for [[Christianity]] (see: [[Arguments for the existence of God]] and [[Christian apologetics|Evidence for Christianity]] and [[Atheism and deception]]).   

The Invisible Pink Unicorn is not an official symbol of atheism, but many atheists claim that the existence of God can be likened to the existence of invisible pink unicorns. Atheists engage in denialism and often try to suppress the abundant evidence for the existence of [[God]] and for [[Christianity]] (see: [[Arguments for the existence of God]] and [[Christian apologetics|Evidence for Christianity]] and [[Atheism and deception]]).   

A strain of this, where Atheists bring up [[Santa Claus]] instead, has been noted by popular apologist, [[Shockofgod]], who coined the term [[Santa syndrome]] to describe this irrational behaviour.

A strain of this, where Atheists bring up [[Santa Claus]] instead, has been noted by popular apologist, [[Shockofgod]], who coined the term [[Santa syndrome]] to describe this irrational behaviour.

== External links ==

== External links ==

*[http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/atheism-symbols-atheist-symbols Atheism symbols] by [[True Free Thinker]]

*[http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/atheism-symbols-atheist-symbols Atheism symbols] by [[True Free Thinker]]

*[http://www.cem.va.gov/hm/hmemb.asp Atheism and humanism symbols for Placement on Government Headstones and Markers] - United States Department of Veteran Affairs

*[http://www.cem.va.gov/hm/hmemb.asp Atheism and humanism symbols for Placement on Government Headstones and Markers] - United States Department of Veteran Affairs

== Notes ==

== Notes ==

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[[Category: Atheism]]

[[Category:Atheism]]