What is the origin of atheism?

Question

Since atheists know so much about the origin of mankind and the origin of creation. Where does atheism originate from? Was it a thought that was founded on common sense? Or is it a frame of mind that all of us have and makes us believe different things? The reason I ask this is because some think they "know" so much about somebody else's religion or belief and yet they don't know anything about their own....

Answer 1

Atheism did not exist until long after the concept of God was invented, at first, if you didn't believe in a higher power, then you were an "infidel" or "heretic" or "heathen."

At some vague point in history, it became unfashionable to speak of religion or politics... Presumably because they are the only things of any importance that discussion can influence and might require serious thought or action, and out of that apathy for active participation in local culture, politics and religion could only be discussed when too drunk to remember or if you were talking about the political or theological business of other countries... When that happened, the concept of atheism was born. An atheist is a person that a "theist" would call a "heathen" but wouldn't want to have to torture and kill for legal and practical reasons. A "theist" is a person that an "atheist" would call a "gullible moron," but wouldn't want to have to enlighten or *****-slap for legal and practical reasons...

Answer 2

I have found that most Atheists actually do know more than most Theists about religion in general. Many Theists are afraid to study any religion other than their own and therefore don't know enough about the subject of religion to even make a valid argument for it. Most Atheists have studied the topic of religion and have concluded that religions are man made lies and there is no need to believe in that which can not be proved and really defies logic. I have no problem saying 'I don't know.' For example, I don't know what the origin of Atheism is. I don't really need to know, but if I learn from someone else answering this question, I might find this knowledge interesting.

Answer 3

i don't consider this totally. there have been self reliant recommendations and techniques on atheism from the classic Indians -- some that's documented interior the Rig Veda. The Vedas are erroneously regarded as Hindu texts. they only rfile existence and thought over 3000-4500 years back. there's a lot that precedes the Greek address atheism. attempt looking up Nasadiya Sukta case in point.

Answer 4

While it may seems flattering to be labeled one who knows "so much about the origin of mankind" I must refuse the label. I believe that the origin of Atheism is reason/logic and taking an objective stance on the issue of religion.

Answer 5

Are you looking for the Greek answer or the Hindu answer? Either way those are specific reactions to the religions around them but given that it has no real "belief" or practices it's rather hard to trace it back. Just because you assert that that it must originate from somewhere does not mean that it does or that it can be traced to any given "school". Mostly it is considered the default state of man i.e. we have no inherent state of belief.

Answer 6

The origin of atheism/agnosticism resides in every single animal on earth. People and animals do not come out of the womb believing in a certain religion. Everything is learned or natural instinct. The reason atheism exists is because religion exists.

Answer 7

Dr Bob is hilarious!!! I'd give him 5 thumbs up even though I am a Christian...gotta have some levity in this discussion. Atheism is for people who don't feel a need to worship any God---they are their own gods, givers of all truth and knowledge since no one can agree on who's God is right.

Answer 8

Atheism is the default position. Atheism therefore had no origination; it only became apparent after there was belief in god(s).

Answer 9

I think atheism stems from an absence of indoctrination - after that, Observation, intelligence, a lack of hubris, recognition of ignorance, rejection of supernatural suppositions, and a willingness to learn, without pretensions to knowing all the answers. From my own observation (and discussions ranging from an Archbishop of Canterbury, and a friend who was Abbott in a Christian monastery both of whom agreed with me) most religionists haven't thoughtfully and thoroughly studied the Holy Books of their own religion, and its history, let alone others.

Answer 10

It all stared when a caveman told the others not to mess with his dinosaur meat or cavewoman or the sun will fall and burn them. the caveman figured out that by installing fear he could take advantage of the weak-minded cavemen, so then he started telling the the sun was a a god and it wouldn't fall on them so as long as all the cavemen gave 10% of their meat to this one caveman every 7 days, because dinosaur meat went bad after 7 days. this is how religion started....atheism started when another cavemen refused to give up his meat and knew then sun was never going to fall.