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→Types of atheism
The difference between these two types of atheism can cause some confusion in [[debate]] between theists and atheists. Often, an atheist will attempt to justify the conclusion of strong atheism with arguments supporting weak atheism, falling into a [[non sequitur]] fallacy. Similarly, theists sometimes attempt to challenge weak atheism with arguments against strong atheism, falling into a [[straw man]] fallacy.
The difference between these two types of atheism can cause some confusion in [[debate]] between theists and atheists. Often, an atheist will attempt to justify the conclusion of strong atheism with arguments supporting weak atheism, falling into a [[non sequitur]] fallacy. Similarly, theists sometimes attempt to challenge weak atheism with arguments against strong atheism, falling into a [[straw man]] fallacy.
Atheism is also sometimes divided into "practical atheism" and "theoretical atheism." The key difference between the two is that while theoretical atheism bases its belief on theoretical and philosophical argument, practical atheism bases its believe on the allegation that God or the gods have no meaningful impact on the life of the atheist (cannot be seen or heard, do not answer prayers, etc.), and that therefore, whether or not any God or gods exist, they are non-existence ''for all practical purposes''.
== Proponents of atheism ==
Atheism is an ancient point of view -- neither "modern" or "revolutionary." In fact, atheism is older than both [[Christianity]] and [[Islam]].
Many people have been called atheists throughout history -- in fact, Christians were alleged to be atheists in the first century, because of their denial of the Greek pantheon. However, while Christians denied the existence of the ''Greek'' gods, they ''acknowledged'' the existence of the ''Christian'' God. Athenagoras, A Plea for the Christians, 2nd century b.c. Similarly, [[Socrates]] was accused of atheism because he denied the pantheon, despite his myriad references to God throughout the writings about him. Therefore, since atheists must be understood with reference to ''which'' gods they disbelieved.
Prominent atheists and atheist schools of thought include:
* Carvaka school: an atheistic and materialistic offshoot of [[Hinduism]] in the 6th century b.c.
* Samkhya school: an atheistic school of classical Indian philosophy, originating in the 6th century b.c.
* Diagoras: Greek philosopher who denied the existence of the Greek pantheon
* Epicurus: Greek philosopher espousing [[materialism]], and stated that, even if the gods exist, they do not interact with humans and are therefore non-existent for all practical purposes;
* Lucretius: Greek philosopher espousing materialism, and stated that man should not believe in the gods because their ideas about the gods and their fear of death made men unhappy;
* Karl Marx: founder of Communism;
* Freidrich Nietzsche: Prominent 20th century atheist philosopher;
* Lenin and Stalin: Early Communist leaders in Russia;
* Mao Tse Tung: Founder of Communism in China;
* Paul Kurtz: founder of the Council of [[Seculer Humanism]]
== Biblical Statements Regarding Atheism ==
== Biblical Statements Regarding Atheism ==