What is Atheism?

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Atheism is one thing: A lack of belief in gods.

Atheism is not an affirmative belief that there is no god nor does it answer any other question about
what a person believes. It is simply a rejection of the assertion that there are gods. Atheism is too often
defined incorrectly as a belief system. To be clear: Atheism is not a disbelief in gods or a denial of gods; it
is a lack of belief in gods.

Older dictionaries define atheism as “a belief that there is no God.” Clearly, theistic influence taints these
definitions. The fact that dictionaries define Atheism as “there is no God” betrays the (mono)theistic
influence. Without the (mono)theistic influence, the definition would at least read “there are no gods.”

Atheism is not a belief system nor is it a religion.

While there are some religions that are atheistic (certain sects of Buddhism, for example), that does not
mean that atheism is a religion. To put it in a more humorous way: If atheism is a religion, then not
collecting stamps is a hobby.

Despite the fact that atheism is not a religion, atheism is protected by many of the same Constitutional
rights that protect religion. That, however, does not mean that atheism is itself a religion, only that our
sincerely held (lack of) beliefs are protected in the same way as the religious beliefs of others. Similarly,
many “interfaith” groups will include atheists. This, again, does not mean that atheism is a religious
belief.

Some groups will use words like Agnostic, Humanist, Secular, Bright, Freethinker, or any number of other
terms to self identify. Those words are perfectly fine as a self-identifier, but we strongly advocate using
the word that people understand: Atheist. Don’t use those other terms to disguise your atheism or to
shy away from a word that some think has a negative connotation. We should be using the terminology
that is most accurate and that answers the question that is actually being asked. We should use the term
that binds all of us together.
If you call yourself a humanist, a freethinker, a bright, or even a “cultural Catholic” and lack belief in a
god, you are an atheist. Don’t shy away from the term. Embrace it.

Agnostic isn’t just a “weaker” version of being an atheist. It answers a different question. Atheism is
about what you believe. Agnosticism is about what you know.

Not all non-religious people are atheists, but…

In recent surveys, the Pew Research Center has grouped atheists, agnostics, and the “unaffiliated” into
one category. The so-called “Nones” are the fastest growing “religious” demographic in the United
States. Pew separates out atheists from agnostics and the non-religious, but that is primarily a function
of self-identification. Only about 5% of people call themselves atheists, but if you ask about belief in
gods, 11% say they do not believe in gods. Those people are atheists, whether they choose to use the
word or not.

A recent survey from University of Kentucky psychologists Will Gervais and Maxine Najle found that as
many as 26% of Americans may be atheists. This study was designed to overcome the stigma associated
with atheism and the potential for closeted atheists to abstain from “outing” themselves even when
speaking anonymously to pollsters. The full study is awaiting publication in Social Psychological and
Personality Science journal but a pre-print version is available here.

Even more people say that their definition of “god” is simply a unifying force between all people. Or that
they aren’t sure what they believe. If you lack an active belief in gods, you are an atheist.

Being an atheist doesn’t mean you’re sure about every theological question, have answers to the way
the world was created, or how evolution works. It just means that the assertion that gods exist has left
you unconvinced.

Wishing that there was an afterlife, or a creator god, or a specific god doesn’t mean you’re not an
atheist. Being an atheist is about what you believe and don’t believe, not about what you wish to be true
or would find comforting.

All atheists are different

The only common thread that ties all atheists together is a lack of belief in gods. Some of the best
debates we have ever had have been with fellow atheists. This is because atheists do not have a
common belief system, sacred scripture or atheist Pope. This means atheists often disagree on many
issues and ideas. Atheists come in a variety of shapes, colors, beliefs, convictions, and backgrounds. We
are as unique as our fingerprints.

Atheists exist across the political spectrum. We are members of every race. We are members of the
LGBTQ* community. There are atheists in urban, suburban, and rural communities and in every state of
the nation.

We have more than 170 affiliates and local partners nationwide. If you are looking for a community, we
strongly recommend reaching out to an affiliate in your area.

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ATHEISM - THE STORY BEHIND THE NON-BELIEVING.

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RITES AND RITUALS

People often mark major life events with special religious occasions, like christenings, weddings and
funerals. Atheist and Humanist organizations offer and set up their own rituals for these events without
any religious content.

NON-RELIGIOUS WEDDINGS AND CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS

Wedding traditions do not depend on the religion but on the culture.

As much as religious weddings, the non-religious wedding marks the commitment of two people sharing
their lives together.

Any supernatural power has no has no place in the marriage or wedding for they are founded on efforts
and relationship of the couple.

Atheist and Humanist wedding ceremonies allow much more personalization than the religious
weddings.

Atheist and Humanist weddings rituals often stress on the equality of the couple.

Such wedding ceremonies may include:

Music

Ritual actions, like exchange of rings and candle-lighting

Non-religious blessing

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NAMINGS

Naming the baby welcomes the baby(ies) into the world and gives friends and family the opportunity to
help and protect the baby from that moment on.

Often during the ceremony, chosen individuals come forward to commit to caring for the child in the
humanistic version of "God Parents".

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NON-RELIGIOUS FUNERALS

Non-religious funerals are legal and funeral directors and cemeteries are accustomed to arranging them.
If the deceased was an atheist, the funeral will contain to religious content as a way of respecting the
dead person's beliefs.

A Humanist funeral focuses on the person and what they have contributed to the world.

The ceremony may include:

Music

Readings of of poetry and pose

Eulogies

Humanist funerals often contain moments of silence that can be used by people who have faith to pray.

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