Has atheism been around as long as theism has?
2007-04-03 07:33:47 · 9 answers · asked by Luis 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think the first religions started at the dawn of self-awareness. You know: "what's that big yellow ball moving in the sky" "sun god!" and so on. The first atheist was born then too: "don't be an idiot *smack*".
2007-04-03 08:18:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
That depends on how you define theism. If you count the animistic religions that must have existed in pre-historic times, then of course not. But if you mean larger religions like Hinduism and Judaism, then maybe. There was little recorded atheism among the Jews or Hindus, however, or indeed any of the major ancient cultures. The ancient Greek philosopher Diagoras, lived in the 5th century BCE, is the earliest recorded example of an atheist.
2007-04-03 14:44:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
About 100 times longer
2007-04-03 14:36:51 · answer #3 · answered by bocasbeachbum 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That depends on your belief. if you believe in the theory of evolution then atheism has been around longer. but if you have any religious belief then the first people were created by a God and those first people would believe in God. and then as time progressed people would fall away from that belief.
2007-04-03 14:41:08 · answer #4 · answered by PNB20 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well yes it has. although in Bible times they would be called Gentiles. You know: Jews & Gentiles. Jews being God's people. Gentiles being the unbelievers.
2007-04-03 14:39:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's been around longer.
2007-04-03 14:37:25 · answer #6 · answered by Samurai Jack 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes. The Psalmist wrote, "The fool says there is no God." It's just the same today.
2007-04-03 14:38:06 · answer #7 · answered by Mr Wisdom 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The man who invented God was an atheist.
2007-04-03 14:36:39 · answer #8 · answered by NONAME 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
No, it has been around longer.
2007-04-03 14:36:05 · answer #9 · answered by Momofthreeboys 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋