Definition of atheism Atheism

/ʌθajˈsʌm/ - [uthaysum] - a•the•ism

We found 12 definitions of atheism from 7 different sources.

What does atheism mean?

Noun Plural: atheisms
atheism - the doctrine or belief that there is no God
		godlessness
		religious orientation an attitude toward religion or religious practices
atheism - a lack of belief in the existence of God or gods
		unbelief, disbelief a rejection of belief

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atheism (Noun)
Belief that no deities exist sometimes including rejection of other religious beliefs.
atheism (Noun)
Rejection of belief that any deities exist with or without a belief that no deities exist.
atheism (Noun)
Absence of belief that any deities exist including absence of the concept of deities.
atheism (Noun)
Absence of belief in a particular deity, pantheon, or religious doctrine notwithstanding belief in other deities.

atheism (n.)
The disbelief or denial of the existence of a God, or supreme intelligent Being.
atheism (n.)
Godlessness.

atheism
ā′the-izm, n. disbelief in the existence of God.—v.i. and v.t. A′theise, to talk or write as an atheist.—n. A′theist, one who disbelieves in the existence of God.—adjs. Atheist′ic, -al.—adv. Atheist′ically.—adj. A′theous (Milton), atheistic. [Fr. athéisme—Gr. a, neg., and theos, God.]

Atheism is the belief that there is no deity (or god). "A-" is a Greek prefix meaning "without" and "theos" means "god", so when put together with the suffix "-ism" ("belief"), it means "without belief in gods". The opposite of atheism is theism.

Two kinds of atheism.

Some people describe two kinds of atheism - "weak atheism" and "strong atheism".

Atheism in society.

In many places, it is (or was) a crime to be an atheist. In Europe during the Middle Ages, atheists could be killed by burning. Many countries still have laws against atheism. Atheism is becoming more common. In some countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands and the United States, there are laws that protect atheists' rights not to have a religion. This means that atheists have the same rights under the law as everyone else. "Freedom of religion" in international law and treaties includes the freedom to not have a religion.