About Atheism and Atheists

At a glance

Atheism is generally understood as the absence of belief in a god or gods. Some atheists actively conclude that no deity exists; others simply do not hold a theistic belief. The word describes one position about deities, not a complete moral, political or cultural identity.

What atheism means

Religions often include teachings about deity, community, ritual, sacred texts and moral practice. Atheism does not require a corresponding set of doctrines. An atheist may have a personal philosophy, participate in a community, observe cultural traditions or develop an ethical framework without grounding those commitments in divine revelation.

Atheists are not all alike. Some consider the available evidence insufficient for belief; some regard the idea of a deity as incoherent; and some are unconcerned with the question. These positions can overlap with agnosticism, which is commonly associated with uncertainty about whether a deity exists.

One question

Atheism concerns belief in deities. It does not by itself settle every question about meaning, knowledge or politics.

Many identities

Atheists may also identify as humanists, skeptics, naturalists, secular people or members of a religiously liberal community.

Ethics without theology

Many atheists ground moral decisions in empathy, reason, human welfare, rights and the consequences of actions.

Atheism, agnosticism and humanism

The terms describe different dimensions of a worldview. Atheism addresses belief in gods. Agnosticism addresses what can be known or justified about that question. Humanism is a family of approaches that emphasizes human dignity, critical inquiry and the possibility of ethical action without reliance on supernatural authority. A person may use one, two or all three descriptions.

Atheism and science

Many atheists accept natural explanations for the origins and development of the universe and life, including explanations informed by evolutionary science. Science itself is a method for investigating the natural world; it does not require every scientist to share one position about religion. The relationship between science and religion is explored further in the science and religion section.

Atheism and public life

In a plural society, atheists have the same claim to freedom of conscience as religious people. Equal citizenship means that public institutions should neither require religious belief nor penalize people for lacking it. The principles of religious freedom include freedom of belief, non-belief and change of belief.

Historical language about atheists has sometimes confused non-belief with disloyalty, immorality or hostility to a nation. Those assumptions do not follow from the definition of atheism. A person’s civic commitments, character and conduct cannot be inferred simply from whether they believe in a deity.

Reading with care

Surveys and public debates often group atheists, agnostics and people who are religiously unaffiliated together. Such categories can be useful, but they do not describe every individual accurately. When comparing research, check how each study defines its terms.

Common misconceptions

Atheism is not the same as communism. Atheism concerns theism; communism is a political and economic tradition. People can hold one without holding the other.
Atheism is not the same as Satanism. Some Satanist traditions are non-theistic, while others use different theological language. The terms should not be treated as interchangeable.
Atheism is not the same as humanism. Many humanists are atheists, but humanism is a broader ethical and philosophical family.
Atheism does not determine sexuality, gender or personality. Non-belief does not predict a person’s identity, relationships or character.
Atheism does not automatically mean hostility toward religion. Atheists differ widely in their views of religious institutions, traditions and private belief.