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'''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.). Retrieved July 17, 2014.

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*Sarfati, Jonathan, Ph.D. (23 June 2007). [http://creation.com/atheism-is-more-rational "Atheism is more rational?"]. Retrieved July 17, 2014. See [[Creation Ministries International]], [[Jonathan Sarfati]].

*Day, Donn R. (2007). [http://www.thedivineconspiracy.org/athart3.htm "Atheism - etymology"]. Retrieved July 15, 2014.</ref>

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As far as individuals adopting an [[Atheist worldview|atheistic worldview]], atheism has a number of [[Causes of atheism|causal factors]] which will be addressed shortly. In addition, an examination of atheism will be offered and some of the historical events relating to atheism will also be covered. For example, since [[World War II]] a majority of the most prominent and vocal defenders of the [[evolution|theory of evolution]] which employs [[methodological naturalism]] have been atheists or [[agnosticism|agnostics]].<ref name="Batten and Sarfati">Multiple references:

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As far as individuals adopting an [[Atheist worldview|atheistic worldview]], atheism has a number of [[Causes of atheism|causal factors]] which will be addressed shortly. In addition, an examination of atheism will be offered and some of the historical events relating to atheism will also be covered.

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* Batten, Dr. Don (December 1997). [http://creation.com/a-whos-who-of-evolutionists "A ''Who’s Who'' of evolutionists"]. Creation Ministries International. Originally published in ''Creation'' 20(1):32. Retrieved July 17, 2014.

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* Sarfati, Jonathan, Ph.D., F.M. (1999). [http://creation.com/refuting-evolution-chapter-1-evolution-creation-science-religion-facts-bias "Chapter 1: Facts and bias", ''Refuting Evolution'']. Retrieved July 17, 2014.

</ref>

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[[Image:Anselm.jpg|thumbnail|right|150px|[[Anselm of Canterbury]]'s version of the [[ontological argument]] appeared in his work ''Proslogium''.]]

In relation to the debate between theism and atheism, theists often criticize atheism as being contrary to persuasive argument and have a number of arguments against atheism. [[Arguments for the existence of God]] include:

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* [[Teleological argument]]: The universe exhibits overwhelming evidence of deliberate, intelligent, purposeful design, which implies an [[intelligent design]]er. See also: [[Evolution|Arguments against evolution]] and [[Origin of life]]

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*Lack of objective moral standards. Not possessing a coherent basis for [[morality]], [[atheist]]s are fundamentally [[Moral_relativism|incapable]] of having a coherent system of morality.<ref>Multiple references:

*Copan, Paul (2008). [http://www.paulcopan.com/articles/pdf/God-naturalism-morality.pdf "God, naturalism, and the foundations of morality"]. ''The Future of Atheism'', ed. Robert Stewart (Minneapolis: Fortress Press), pp. 141-161. Retrieved form PaulCopan.com on October 3, 2014.

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* [[Bible prophecy]]

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* [[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 scientific evidence demonstrates that the [http://www.creationencounter.com/space/lawsofscience.php universe is not eternal] and Christians point out that [http://creation.com/who-created-god the question "Who created God" is an illogical question.]

*[[Atheism and irrationality]] and cannot account for the laws of logic, consciousness or human reason.

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*[[Presuppositional Apologetics]]

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*[[Argument from beauty]]<ref>Williams, Peter (Summer 2001). [http://www.quodlibet.net/articles/williams-aesthetic.shtml "Aesthetic arguments for the existence of God"]. ''Quodlibet Journal'' vol. 3:3. Retrieved from Quodlibet Journal website on July 19, 2014.</ref> See also: [[Atheism and musical–rhythmic intelligence and artistic intelligence|Atheism and art/music]] and [[Atheism and a lack of appreciation for the beauty of the human body|Atheism and the beauty of the human body]]

*[[Atheism and Miracles]]

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*[[Atheism website resources|Various Christian apologetic resources focusing on atheism]]

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*[[Atheism and the suppression of science]]

*[[Resources for leaving atheism and becoming a Christian]]

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*[[Atheism and bestiality]]

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*[[Evolutionary belief and bestiality]]

*[[Christopher Hitchens on bestiality]]

*[[Academia and bestiality|Atheism, academia and bestiality]]

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In areas of the [[Western World]] where there is a significant amount of atheism and [[evolution]]ary belief, there have been notable problems related to bestiality (see: [[Geographic areas where bestiality is posing a notable problem]]).

==== Other issues relating to atheism and immorality ====

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Additionally, naturalism and reason are incompatible and believing in naturalism is therefore self-defeating. In short, if naturalism is true, then we ought not to trust our capacity for reason for the human brain would be a byproduct of blind/unintelligent natural forces.<ref>Multiple references:

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*Jones, Stephen E. (September 5, 2006). [http://creationevolutiondesign.blogspot.com/2006/09/cs-lewis-argument-from-reason.html "C.S. Lewis' argument from reason"]. Creationevolutiondesign. Retrieved on October 6, 2014.

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*Richards, Jay W. (November 25, 2013). [http://www.evolutionnews.org/2013/11/cs_lewis_and_th079541.html "C.S. Lewis and the argument from reason"]. Evolution News and Views. Retrieved on October 6, 2014.

*West, John G. (November-December 1996) [http://www.acton.org/pub/religion-liberty/volume-6-number-6/cs-lewis-and-materialism "C.S. Lewis and materialism"]. ''Religion and Liberty'', vol. 6, no. 6. Retrieved from ActonInstitute website on October 6, 2014.

*Briggs, Matt (July 30, 2013). [http://wmbriggs.com/blog/?p=8669 "C.S. Lewis on the validity of reasoning"]. William M. Briggs [blog]. Retrieved on October 6, 2014.

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*Holding, J. P. [http://www.tektonics.org/gk/hume01.html "David Hume: a critique"]. Tekton Apologetics. Retrieved on July 21, 2014.

*Esposito, Lenny (2002). [http://www.comereason.org/phil_qstn/phi060.asp "Are miracles logically impossible?"] Come Reason Ministries. Retrieved July 21, 2014.</ref>

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~~===Atheism and questions of origins===~~

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~~:''See articles: [[Atheism and Evolution]]'' and [[Evolution as a secular origins myth]]~~

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[[Creationism|Creationist]] scientists state that the [[First Law of Thermodynamics|first law of thermodynamics]] and the [[Second Law of Thermodynamics|second law of thermodynamics]] argue against an eternal universe or a universe created by natural processes and argue for a universe created by [[God]].<ref>Multiple references:

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*Hergenrather, John (2004). [http://www.creationencounter.com/space/lawsofscience.php "Evidences for God from space: can laws of science explain the origin of the universe?"] Creation Encounter. Retrieved on July 21, 2014.

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*Thompson, Bert (2003). [http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2329 "So long, eternal universe; 'Hello beginning, hello end!'"] Apologetics Press. Retrieved on July 21, 2014.

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*Brown, Dr. Walt (2008). [http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook/AstroPhysicalSciences14.html "Chapter 2: astronomical and physical sciences", p. 53.] ''In the Beginning: Compelling Evidence for Creation and the Flood'', 8th ed. Retrieved on July 23, 2014 from The Center for Scientific Creation.</ref> A majority of the most prominent and vocal defenders of the evolutionary position which employs [[methodological naturalism]] since [[World War II]] have had the worldview of atheism.<ref name="Batten and Sarfati"/> [[Creation science|Creation scientists]] assert that the theory of [[Evolution|evolution]] is an inadequate explanation for the variety of life forms on earth.<ref>Morris, Henry M., PhD. (January 2001). [http://www.icr.org/home/resources/resources_tracts_scientificcaseagainstevolution/ "The scientific case against evolution"]. Institute for Creation Research. Retrieved on July 23, 2014. </ref> In addition, the current [[origin of life|naturalistic explanations for the origin of life are inadequate]]. The theory of evolution [[Social effects of the theory of evolution|has had a number of negative social effects]].

==Atheism and mental and physical health==

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''See also:'' [[Atheism is a religion]] and [[Atheist cults]] and [[Atheist hypocrisy]]

[[File:Richard Dawkins pic.jpg|alt=Richard Dawkins|thumbnail|260px|right|The [[Oxford University]] Professor [[Daniel Came]] wrote to the [[agnosticism|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 [[Atheism and cowardice|cowardice]] on your part."<ref>Ross, Tim (May 14, 2011). [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 website. Retrieved July 25, 2014. See [[Daily Telegraph]]</ref>]]

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Many of the leaders of the atheist movement, such as the evolutionist and [[weak atheism|weak atheist]]/[[agnosticism|agnostic]] [[Richard Dawkins]], argue for [[agnosticism]]/atheism with a religious fervor.

Roderick Ninian Smart, a Scottish writer and professor, defined a seven-part scheme of understanding both religious and secular worldviews<ref>Smart, Ninian (1996). [http://books.google.com/books?id=14j2UrLCi64C&pg=PA130&lpg=PA130&dq=ninian+smart+narrative&source=bl&ots=Hq3WwG_mVT&sig=j-8FpwSdqohURYodSdcl46erSJY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=FgybT6zxIc-_gAe864X6Dg&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=ninian%20smart%20narrative&f=false ''Dimensions of the Sacred'' [preview]] (Oakland, CA: University of California Press). Preview retrieved from GoogleBooks on July 25, 2014.</ref> These can be understood as narrative, experiential, social, ethical, doctrinal, ritual and material.

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*Ortberg, Mallory (January 5, 2013). [http://gawker.com/5973377/londons-first-atheist-church-opens-tomorrow "London's first atheist church opens tomorrow".] Gawker. Retrieved on July 26, 2014.</ref>

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See also: [http://creation.com/atheism-a-religion Atheism: A religion] and [[Atheism is a religion]] and [[Atheist cults]] ~~and [http://creation.com/atheism Atheism]~~

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See also: [http://creation.com/atheism-a-religion Atheism: A religion] and [[Atheism is a religion]] and [[Atheist cults]]

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~~=== Atheism is a religion and its legal implications relative to the teaching of evolution ===~~

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[[Atheism is a religion]] and [[Naturalism (philosophy)|naturalistic]] notions of origins are religious which has legal implications relative to [[evolution]] being taught in public schools.<ref>Multiple references:

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*Smartt, Daniel (May 4, 2010). [http://creation.com/atheism-a-religion "Atheism: a religion"]. Creation Ministries International. Retrieved on July 26, 2014.

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*Calvert, John, J. D. (June 22, 2010). [http://www.intelligentdesignnetwork.org/Kitzmiller%27s_error_summary.pdf "Summary of 'Kitzmiller’s error: using an exclusive rather than inclusive definition of religion'"]. Intelligent Design Network. Retrieved on July 26, 2014.

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*Calvert, John, J. D. (Spring 2009). [http://www.intelligentdesignnetwork.org/Kitzmiller%27s_Error.pdf "Kitzmiller's error: defining 'religion' exclusively rather than inclusively"]. ''Liberty University Law Review'', vol. 3:2, pp. 213-328. Retrieved from Intelligent Design Network on July 26, 2014.</ref>

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~~John Calvert, a lawyer and [[intelligent design]] proponent declared:~~

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{{cquote|The Seventh Judicial Circuit of the Court of Appeals of the [[United States]] held that atheism is a [[religion]]. Therefore, it cannot be promoted by a public school. Currently, public schools are often unwittingly promoting atheism through a dogmatic and uncritical teaching of [[Evolution|materialistic theories of origins]].<ref>Morehouse, Darrin. ([http://www.highway30cofc.truepath.com/Articles/SpiritualWarfare;AtheismisaReligionPart1.pdf "Spiritual warfare; atheism is a religion part 1"]. Highway 30 website. Retrieved on July 27, 2014.</ref>}}

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The atheist philosopher of science [[Michael Ruse]] admitted: "Evolution is a religion. This was true of evolution in the beginning, and it is true of evolution still today."<ref>Ruse, M. (May 13, 2000). "How evolution became a religion: creationists correct?" ''National Post'', pp. B1, B3, B7.</ref> In the their [[Question evolution! campaign]], [[Creation Ministries International]] asks as a part of their 15 questions for evolutionists: "Why is a fundamentally religious idea, a dogmatic belief system that fails to explain the evidence, taught in science classes?...If “you can’t teach religion in science classes”, why is evolution taught?<ref>Batten, Don (2011). [http://creation.com/15-questions "15 questions for evolutionists".] Creation Ministries International. Retrieved on July 26, 2014.</ref>

== Atheism and women ==

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For more information please see: [[Atheism and marriageability]]

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~~== Atheist PZ Myers says atheists are largely a population of internet nerds and geeks ==~~

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[[File:PzMyers2.jpg|thumbnail|251px|right|[[PZ Myers]] declared, "...I don’t object to [[bestiality]] in a very limited set of specific conditions..."<ref name="achilles">[http://templestream.blogspot.com/2012/08/atheist-achilles-heels-objective.html Atheist Achilles Heels: Objective Morality and Sacred Life]</ref> See: [[Atheism and bestiality]]

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~~<br />~~

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~~<small>(photo obtained from [http://www.flickr.com/photos/reuvenim/4426093513/ Flickr], see [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/deed.en license agreement])</small> ]]~~

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~~''See also:'' [[Atheist nerds]] and [[Internet atheism]] and [[Atheism and women]] and [[Atheism and social outcasts]] and [[Global atheism|Decline of atheism]]~~

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~~In 2013, the atheist [[PZ Myers]] declared:~~

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{{cquote|If we're going to expand our base and we're going to draw in more people to recognize the virtues of living in a secular world, we need to appeal to more than just that geek and [[nerd]] subset of the population. We need to have a wider base. ...I seriously believe that we're on the cusp of a crisis. We're not there yet but it's looming in front of us. Will we adapt and thrive and change the world? Or will we remain an avocation for a prosperous and largely irrelevant subset of the population? Will we become something more than a scattered society of [[Atheism and the internet|internet nerds]]? That's what we have to do.<ref name="Seattle">Klinghoffer, David (April 5, 2013). [http://www.evolutionnews.org/2013/04/in_seattle_pz_m070861.html "In Seattle, PZ Myers reflects candidly on his constituency"]. Evolution News and Views. Retrieved on July 26, 2014.</ref>}}

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~~In response, David Klinghoffer at ''Evolution News and Views'' wrote:~~

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{{cquote|A crisis looms, in Myers's view, because he looks around himself and sees a not very promising basis for a mass movement. He's right. There is indeed a quality of geeky isolation from reality, common sense, and the fullness of life that I see as a motif in atheist and Darwin activism alike.<ref name="Seattle"/>}}

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~~For more information please see: [[Internet atheism]] and [[Atheist nerds]]~~

== Decline of atheism in terms of the global population ==

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Atheists as a percentage of the world's population have declined since 1970 and global atheism is expected to face long term decline.<ref>Multiple references:

*Kumar, Anugrah (July 20, 2013). [http://www.christianpost.com/news/study-world-is-turning-more-religious-atheism-declining-100518/ "Study: world is turning more religious; atheism declining"]. The Christian Post. Retrieved on July 27, 2014.

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*[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/05/globally-worldviews-of-atheism-and-non.html "Globally the worldviews of atheism and non-religious (agnostic) are declining while global Christianity is exploding in adherents"] (May 19, 2012). Question Evolution Campaign. Retrieved on July 27, 2014.

*Kaufmann, Eric (2009 or aft.). [http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf "Shall the religious inherit the earth?: demography and politics in the twenty-first century"]. www.sneps.net. Paper similar to book ''Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth? Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century''. Publ. in unknown publication. ("Most observers accept that the aftermath...") Retrieved July 27, 2014.

*[http://www.gordonconwell.edu/resources/documents/StatusOfGlobalMission.pdf "Status of global mission, 2014, in the context of AD 1800–2025"] (2014). Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary website. Retrieved on July 27, 2014.</ref>

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In 2012, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary reported that globally every day there are 800 less atheists per day, 1,100 less non-religious ([[agnosticism|agnostic]]) people per day and 83,000 more people professing to be Christians per day.<ref>Multiple references:

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*[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/05/globally-worldviews-of-atheism-and-non.html "Globally the worldviews of atheism and non-religious (agnostic) are declining while global Christianity is exploding in adherents"] (May 19, 2012). Question Evolution Campaign. Retrieved on July 27, 2014.

*[http://www.gordonconwell.edu/resources/documents/StatusOfGlobalMission.pdf "Status of global mission, 2014, in the context of AD 1800–2025"] (2014). Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary website. Retrieved on July 27, 2014.</ref>

[[Eric Kaufmann]], a professor at Birkbeck, University of London, using a wealth of demographic studies argues the decline of atheism in terms of its global adherents is an established trend that will persist for the foreseeable future and the rate of decline will accelerate.<ref name="sneps"/> Kaufmann told a secular audience in Australia: "The trends that are happening worldwide inevitably in an age of globalization are going to affect us."<ref>[http://fora.tv/2010/09/05/Eric_Kaufmann_Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth "Eric Kaufmann: shall the religious inherit the earth?" [Festival of dangerous ideas 2010, Sydney Opera House]] (September 5, 2010). Fora.tv video, 1:03:56, posted by Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved on July 27, 2014.</ref> For example, in 2013, citing experts in demography and survey data, the ''Christian Post'' declared that there were three trends pointing to the United States potentially becoming more religious in coming years - namely an aging population becoming more religious over time, religious immigrants and the higher fertility rate of religious conservatives.<ref>Nazworth, Napp (August 22, 2013). [http://global.christianpost.com/news/3-reasons-america-may-become-more-religious-102859/ "3 reasons America may become more religious"]. The Christian Post. Retrieved on July 28, 2014.</ref>

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One of the steepest declines of atheism that is expected to occur is in [[China]] which currently has the largest atheist population in the world. China is experiencing a rapid growth of theologically [[conservative]] [[Christianity]] which will have a significant effect on the global atheist population~~.<ref>~~[~~http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2014/04/7-reasons-why-chinese-creationist.html "10 reasons why biblical~~ Christianity ~~will flood the UK in the 21st century"~~] ~~(April 20, 2014~~). ~~Question Evolution Campaign. Retrieved on July 28, 2014.</ref>~~

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One of the steepest declines of atheism that is expected to occur is in [[China]] which currently has the largest atheist population in the world. China is experiencing a rapid growth of theologically [[conservative]] [[Christianity]] which will have a significant effect on the global atheist population (see: [[Global Christianity]]).

[[Desecularization]] can also occur through [[Divine Providence|providential]] acts of [[God]] and in reaction to God granting [[Christian]]'s prayers.<ref>Multiple references:

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*[http://www.quantcast.com/richarddawkins.net/demographics "Richarddawkins.net traffic and demographic statistics: US Demographics"]. Quαntcast. Retrieved on July 28, 2014.

*[http://www.quantcast.com/samharris.org/demographics "Samharris.org traffic and demographic statistics: US Demographics"]. Quαntcast. Retrieved on July 28, 2014.</ref> These findings, combined with the aforementioned data indicating that [[Atheism appears to be significantly less appealing to women|atheism is significantly less appealing to women]], suggests that atheist movement in the [[Western world]] and [[New Atheism]] movement are significantly more appealing to white males.

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~~=== Atheism and evolutionary racism ===~~

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[[File:Ota Benga at Bronx Zoo.jpg|thumbnail|right|255px|An [[Evolutionary racism|evolutionary racist]] put [[Ota Benga]] on display at the Bronx Zoo in the monkey house.<ref name=Benga>Bergman, Jerry (April 2000). [http://creation.com/ota-benga-the-pygmy-put-on-display-in-a-zoo "Ota Benga: the pygmy put on display in a zoo"]. ''Journal of Creation'', vol. 14:1, pp. 81-90. Retrieved from Creation Ministries International on July 27, 2014.</ref>]]

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~~''See also:'' [[Atheism and evolutionary racism]] and [[Social effects of the theory of evolution]]~~

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Since [[World War II]] a majority of the most prominent and vocal defenders of the [[evolution|evolutionary position]] which employs methodological naturalism have been atheists.<ref name="Batten and Sarfati"/> The errant and ill founded writings of atheist [[Charles Darwin]] (see: [[Charles_Darwin#Religious Views of Charles Darwin|religious views of Charles Darwin]])<ref name="Wieland">Multiple references:

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* Wieland, Carl (September 1992). [http://www.creation.com/content/view/1877 "Darwin's real message: have you missed it?"] ''Creation'', vol. 14:4, pp. 16-19. Retrieved from Creation Ministries International on July 26, 2014.

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* Gruber, Howard E. and Barrett, Paul H. (1974). ''Darwin on Man'' (New York: E. P. Dutton), p. 276.

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* Mayr, Ernst (May-June 1977). "Darwin and natural selection." ''American Scientist''. pp. 321-327.

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</ref>, which became very influential in the late 19th century, provided a pretext for racism. [[Evolutionary racism]] refers to a [[racist]] philosophy based on [[Charles Darwin]]'s [[Evolution|evolutionary theory]]. It assumes that men have continually evolved, and thus some races are more evolved than others. It replaces [[Christian]] [[morality]] with the [[atheistic]] "survival of the fittest" ideology of [[Social Darwinism]].

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~~Charles Darwin wrote in his work ''[[The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex]]'':~~

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{{cquote|At some future period not very distant as measured by centuries, the civilised races of man will almost certainly exterminate and replace the savage races throughout the world. At the same time the anthropomorphous apes...will no doubt be exterminated. The break between man and his nearest Allies will then be wider, for it will intervene between man in a more civilised state, as we may hope, even than the Caucasian, and some ape as low as the baboon, instead of as now between the Negro or Australian and the gorilla.<ref>Multiple references:

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*[http://www.aim.org/wls/90/ "What liberals say: Charles Darwin"]. [quoting Darwin, Charles, ''The Descent of Man'']. Accuracy in Media. Retrieved on July 27, 2014.

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*DeMar, Gary (September 20, 2005) [http://creation.com/charles-darwins-yard-apes "Charles Darwin's 'yard apes'"] [quoting Darwin, Charles, ''The Descent of Man'', chapter 6]. The American Vision [website]. Adapted and republished at Creation Ministries International. Retrieved on July 27, 2014.</ref>}}

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An example of evolutionary racism is when an [[Evolutionary racism|evolutionary racist]] put [[Ota Benga]] on display at the Bronx Zoo in the monkey house.<ref name=Benga/> In addition, evolutionary racism was directed at [[Michelle Obama]].<ref>Catchpoole, David (December 8, 2009). [http://creation.com/obama-racism-row "Michele Obama racism row—what's it based on?"] Creation Ministries International. Retrieved on July 27, 2014.</ref>

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~~[[File:StephenGould.jpg|thumb|right|[[Stephen Jay Gould]] ]]~~

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~~The atheist [[Ernst Haeckel]] was a virulent evolutionary racist. The [[agnostic]] and staunch evolutionist [[Stephen Gould]] admitted the following:~~

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{{cquote|[[Ernst Haeckel|Haeckel]] was the chief apostle of evolution in [[Germany]].... His evolutionary racism; his call to the [[German]] people for racial purity and unflinching devotion to a "just" state; his belief that harsh, inexorable laws of evolution ruled human civilization and nature alike, conferring upon favored races the right to dominate others; the irrational [[mysticism]] that had always stood in strange communion with his brave words about objective science - all contributed to the rise of [[Nazism]]. — Stephen J. Gould, "Ontogeny and Phylogeny," Belknap Press: Cambridge MA, 1977, pp.77-78).<ref>Gould, Stephen J. (1977). [http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/social.html ''Ontogeny and Phylogeny''] (Cambridge MA: Belknap Press), pp. 77-78. Retrieved from Stephen E. Jones' (B.S. biology) Home Page on July 27, 2014.</ref>}}

=== Creativity Movement ===

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*Swain, Carol M. (2002). [http://books.google.com/books?id=HB1wyFPRGm4C&pg=PA23&dq=atheism+white+supremacy&hl=en&ei=Re-OTfbHHuuD0QHOycm1Cw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CEgQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=atheistic&f=false ''The New White Nationalism in America: Its Challenge to Integration'' [preview]] (New York: Cambridge University Press). Preview accessed from GoogleBooks on July 26, 2014. (See [[Cambridge University Press]].) For instance, Ben Klassen, founder of the atheistic World Church of the Creator and the author of ''The White Man's Bible'', discusses Christianity extensively in his writings and denounces religion that has brought untold horror into the world and divided the white race.

*Clarke, Peter B. and Beyer, Peter (May 7, 2009), eds. [http://books.google.com/books?id=rBgn3xB75ZcC&pg=PA493&dq=competing+atheistic+white+racist+movement&hl=en&ei=5uWOTeSkCamw0QH7m92bCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=competing%20atheistic%20white%20racist%20movement&f=false ''The World's Religions: Continuities and Transformations'' [preview]] (New York: Taylor & Francis). Preview accessed from GoogleBooks on July 26, 2014. A competing atheistic or panthestic white racist movement also appeared, which included the ''Church of the Creator''/Creativity (Gardell 2003: 129–134).</ref> The movement has denounced [[Christianity]],<ref name="Swain">Swain, Carol M. (2002). [http://books.google.com/books?id=HB1wyFPRGm4C&pg=PA23&dq=atheism+white+supremacy&hl=en&ei=Re-OTfbHHuuD0QHOycm1Cw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CEgQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=atheistic&f=false ''The New White Nationalism in America: Its Challenge to Integration'' [preview]] (New York: Cambridge University Press). Preview accessed from GoogleBooks on July 26, 2014. (See [[Cambridge University Press]].) For instance, Ben Klassen, founder of the atheistic World Church of the Creator and the author of ''The White Man's Bible'', discusses Christianity extensively in his writings and denounces religion that has brought untold horror into the world and divided the white race.</ref> as it purports to promote [[Agape|love]] for all of mankind.<ref name="Ludwig Feuerbach">Feuerbach, Ludwig (1854). [http://books.google.com/books?id=GTEKAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA266&dq=christianity+love+for+mankind&hl=en&ei=CFSbTbyAJcrUgQekjsCSBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CEEQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=christianity%20love%20for%20mankind&f=false ''The Essence of Christianity''] (London: John Chapman), translated by Evans, Marian. Translation of ''Das Wesen des Christentums'' (1841), 2nd ed. (Leipzig). Retrieved on July 27, 2014. "Christ loved men: he wished to bless and unite them all without distinction of sex, age, rank or nationality. Christ is the love of mankind to itself embodied in an image–in accordance with the nature of religion as we have developed it—or contemplated as a person, but a person who (we mean, of course, as a religious object) has only the significance of an image, who is only ideal. For this reason love is pronounced to be the characteristic mark of the disciples." (p. 266)</ref> It denounces religion for bringing horror into the world by dividing the white race.<ref name="Swain"/>

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~~==Atheism and deception==~~

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~~[[Image:CharlesDarwin.jpg|thumb|150px|right|[[Charles Darwin]]]]~~

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~~''For more information please see'': [[Atheism and deception]] and [[Irreligion and superstition]] and [[Atheist cults]]~~

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As alluded to earlier, prior to [[Charles Darwin]] publishing his [[evolution|evolutionist]] work ''On The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection or The Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life'', Darwin wrote in his private notebooks that he was a [[materialism|materialist]], which is a type of atheist.<ref name="Wieland"/> Charles Darwin’s casual mentioning of a ‘creator’ in earlier editions of ''The Origin of Species'' appears to have been a merely a [[deceit|deceitful]] ploy to downplay the implications of his [[materialism|materialistic]] theory. <ref name="Wieland"/>

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German scientist [[Ernst Haeckel]] was a very influential proponent of the evolutionary position and Haeckel was an advocate of atheism.<ref name="nytimes2">[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9C03EFDD123EE033A2575AC0A9659C946697D6CF "Kaiser honors Haeckel"] (March 9, 1907). ''New York Times'', p. 1. Retrieved from Nytimes.com on July 28, 2014.</ref> Ernst Haeckel attempted to portray himself as an ethical proponent of atheism, however, history shows he was a deceitful individual.<ref>Multiple references:

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*Wakefield, Gerard (2002). [http://www.creationism.org/wakefield/haeckel.htm "Investigating Genesis series: 'Another evolution fraud exposed'".] www.creationism.org. Retrieved on July 28, 2014.

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*[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9C03EFDD123EE033A2575AC0A9659C946697D6CF "Kaiser honors Haeckel"] (March 9, 1907). ''New York Times'', p. 1. Retrieved from Nytimes.com on July 28, 2014.

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*Wells, Jonathan (June 12, 2002). [http://www.discovery.org/scripts/viewDB/index.php?command=view&id=1180 "Critics rave over ''Icons of Evolution'': a response to published reviews"]. Discovery Institute Center for Science and Culture. Retrieved on July 28, 2014.

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*Wells, Jonathan (January 2001). [http://www.discovery.org/articleFiles/PDFs/survivalOfTheFakest.pdf "Survival of the fakest"]. ''The American Spectator''. Retrieved from the Discovery Institute Center for Science and Culture: essential readings on July 29, 2014.</ref>

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~~The March 9, 1907 edition of the NY Times refers to Ernst Haeckel as the "celebrated Darwinian and founder of the Association for the Propagation of Ethical Atheism."<ref name="nytimes2"/>~~

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~~For more information please see: [[Atheism and deception]]~~

== 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 name="paranormal">Hemingway, Molly Ziegler (September 19, 2008). [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122178219865054585.html "Look who's irrational now"]. The Wall Street Journal website. Retrieved on July 29, 2014.</ref>]]

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''See also:'' [[Irreligion and superstition~~]] and [[Theory of Evolution, Liberalism, Atheism, and Irrationality~~]] and [[Atheist cults]]

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''See also:'' [[Irreligion and superstition]] and [[Atheist cults]]

In September of 2008, the [[Wall Street Journal]] reported:

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For more information please see: [[Irreligion and superstition]]

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~~==Intellectuals increasingly rejecting atheistic ideology ==~~

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According to Munich theologian Wolfhart Pannenberg "Atheism as a theoretical position is in decline worldwide." (see: [[Global atheism]]).<ref name="wt">Siemon-Netto, Uwe (March 3, 2005). [http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/05/breaking2453432.91875.html "God not so dead: atheism in decline worldwide"]. UPI. Retrieved from World Tribune.com on July 29, 2014.</ref> Given that the evolutionary position is a often cited component of the ideology of atheism in the [[Western world]], the gradual loss of public support of the evolutionary position is one of the many factors which are eroding the ideology of atheism. [[Oxford]] scholar [[Alister McGrath]] cites a number of additional factors in regards to the decline of atheism as an intellectual position.<ref>Multiple references:

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*McGrath, Alister (February 28, 2005). [http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/march/21.36.html "The twilight of atheism" [preview]]. Christianity Today website. Preview retrieved on July 29, 2014. Subscription required for full access.

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*Holst, Wayne (2004). [http://www.s8int.com/Godless.html "''Twilight of the Godless'' by Alister McGrath"]. ''The Toronto Star''. Retreived from s8int.com on July 29, 2014.</ref>

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~~Given the many factors which are eroding atheistic ideology McGrath states:~~

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{{cquote|...Atheism is in trouble. Its future seems increasingly to lie in the private beliefs of individuals rather than in the great public domain it once regarded as its natural habitat.<ref>McGrath, Alister (February 28, 2005). [http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/march/21.36.html "The twilight of atheism" [preview]]. Christianity Today website. Preview retrieved on July 29, 2014. Subscription required for full access.</ref>}}

== Christian websites with a large focus on the topic of atheism ==

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*Ross, Tim (May 14, 2011). [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 website. Retrieved on July 30, 2014. See [[The Daily Telegraph]].</ref>

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[[Richard Dawkins]], who flip-flops between being an [[agnosticism|agnostic]] and an atheist as far as his public persona (see: [[Richard Dawkins and agnosticism]]), has [[Instances of Richard Dawkins ducking debates|established a reputation of avoiding his strongest debate opponents]]. On May 14, 2011, the [[Great Britain|British]] newspaper ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' published a news story entitled ''Richard Dawkins accused of cowardice for refusing to debate existence of God''.<ref name=refuse>Ross, Tim (May 14, 2011). [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 website. Retrieved on July 30, 2014. See [[The Daily Telegraph]].</ref> In [[The Daily Telegraph]] article Dr. [[Daniel Came]], a a member of the Faculty of [[Philosophy]] at [[Oxford University]] was quoted as writing to fellow atheist Richard Dawkins concerning his refusal to debate Dr. [[William Lane Craig]], "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 name=refuse/> ~~Also, atheists [[Creation scientists tend to win the creation vs. evolution debates|tend to dodge creation vs. evolution debates.]]~~

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[[Richard Dawkins]], who flip-flops between being an [[agnosticism|agnostic]] and an atheist as far as his public persona (see: [[Richard Dawkins and agnosticism]]), has [[Instances of Richard Dawkins ducking debates|established a reputation of avoiding his strongest debate opponents]]. On May 14, 2011, the [[Great Britain|British]] newspaper ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' published a news story entitled ''Richard Dawkins accused of cowardice for refusing to debate existence of God''.<ref name=refuse>Ross, Tim (May 14, 2011). [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 website. Retrieved on July 30, 2014. See [[The Daily Telegraph]].</ref> In [[The Daily Telegraph]] article Dr. [[Daniel Came]], a a member of the Faculty of [[Philosophy]] at [[Oxford University]] was quoted as writing to fellow atheist Richard Dawkins concerning his refusal to debate Dr. [[William Lane Craig]], "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 name=refuse/>

For more information see: [[Atheism debates]] and [[Atheism and cowardice]]

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~~=== Creation vs. evolution debates ===~~

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~~See also: [[Creation scientists tend to win debates with evolutionists]]~~

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The worldwide atheist community was challenged to a debate by [[Creation Ministries International]] as prominent atheists were speaking at a 2010 global atheist convention in [[Australia]].<ref name="truefree">Ammi, Ken (May 2010). [http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/richard-dawkins-cowardly-clown "Richard Dawkins, the cowardly clown"]. True Freethinker. Retrieved on July 30, 2014.</ref> [[Richard Dawkins]], [[PZ Myers]] and other prominent atheists refused to debate Creation Ministries International.<ref name="truefree"/> Generally speaking, creation scientists tend to win the creation vs. evolution debates (see: [[Creation scientists tend to win the creation vs. evolution debates]].

==Notable atheists who became ex-atheists ==

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==Atheism quotes==

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''See articles: [[Atheism Quotes]]'' ~~and [[Humorous quotes about atheism and evolution]]~~

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''See articles: [[Atheism Quotes]]''

== Resources for leaving atheism and becoming a Christian ==

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*[[Atheism articles]]

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*[[Essay: Atheism and evolution essays|Atheism and evolution essays]]

*[[Conservapedia:Atheism Project|Conservapedia Atheism Project]]

*[[History of Atheism]]

*[[Definitions of Atheist and Agnostic]]

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*[[Comedy and satires concerning atheism and evolution]] ('''large collection''' of comedy/satire concerning atheism and [[evolution]])

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*[[Creation vs. Evolution Videos]]

*[[Martyred in the USSR: Militant Atheism in former Soviet Union]]

*[[Atheism and satanic deception]]

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*[[Atheism and beliefs]]

*[[Atheism and belief]]

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*[[Atheism and Evolution]]

*[[Agnosticism]]

*[[Atheism and Christianity]]

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==Online videos concerning atheism and related topics==

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*[[Atheism videos]]

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*[[Creation vs. Evolution Videos]]

==External links==

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'''General articles on atheism:'''

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* [http://creation.com/atheism Atheism] by [[Creation Ministries International]]

*[http://www.wnd.com/2013/03/horrific-human-toll-of-militant-atheism-exposed/ Horrific Human Toll of 'Militant Atheism' Exposed: USSR's genocide against Christians largely ignored - World Net Daily]

*[http://creation.com/atheism-agnosticism-and-humanism-godless-religions-questions-and-answers Atheism, agnosticism and humanism: godless religions] by [[Creation Ministries International]]

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*[http://www.carm.org/atheism.htm Atheism] by [[Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry]]

*[http://www.rzim.org/a-slice-of-infinity/rethinking-atheism/ Rethinking Atheism] by [[Ravi Zacharias]] Ministries

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*[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2014/02/4-reasons-why-atheism-and-agnosticism.html 4 reasons why atheism and agnosticism are weak, errant, secular religions]

'''Atheism and purpose/meaning:'''

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*[http://creation.com/atheism-no-objective-morality Atheism and morality]

*[http://creation.com/atheism#atheism-and-ethics Atheism and ethics/morality]

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~~'''Origins:'''~~

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*[http://creation.com/qa Arguments against evolution and for biblical creation]

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*[http://creation.com/origin-of-life Origin of life]

'''Effect on culture:'''

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*[http://fora.tv/2010/09/05/Eric_Kaufmann_Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth Decline of global atheism] - Professor Eric Kaufmann

* [http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/003/21.36.html The Twilight of Atheism] by Alister McGrath, Christianity Today, March 2005

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*[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/08/what-does-history-say-about-how-fast.html What does the historical record say about how fast secularism can collapse in countries?]

* [http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/hutchison/050204 The rise and fall of atheism] by Fred Hutchison

* [http://www.s8int.com/Godless.html Twilight of the godless] by Alister McGrath (Oxford Professor)

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*[http://creation.com/atheism-a-religion Atheism: A religion]

*[[Atheism is a religion]]

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~~'''Comedy/satire concerning atheism'''~~

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*[[Comedy and satires concerning atheism and evolution]] (large collection of comedy/satire concerning atheism)

'''Atheism and intelligence:'''

Conservative

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