How old is atheism?

Answer 1

Probably as old as theism. Nontheism as a whole is certainly older by far, since animals generally aren't thought to have religious beliefs, but not so with atheism specifically. That couldn't have come about until theism was already developed. It's rather hard to deny the existence of something if you've never even heard of or thought about it, after all.

Answer 2

Atheism must have come first - regardless of the actual existence of any god.

Since atheism is simply the absence of belief, to suggest theism was the initial you would have to also hold the belief that theism evolved as a concept within our ancestors before they evolved into us.

Where do you draw the line? Do you think the higher primates believe in God, or fish, or frogs?


Unless of course you believe in genesis... I'll leave you to give me a thumbs down if that's where you stand.. obviously I think the idea is tosh...

Answer 3

Atheism began the first time someone proposed the existence of a god and the Atheist said: "Waaayt a minute !!"

Answer 4

Atheism > Theism

Answer 5

Atheism as a movement is recent, however there have been critics of religion since it started.

Answer 6

humans are born atheists so longer than theism. the idea is old although no one until recently believed it. Socrates was accused of being an atheist and was executed even though he wasn't. the trial was bunk. he was accused of being an atheist, of making new gods and corrupting the youth.

Answer 7

Atheism has always been around.

Answer 8

At the dawn of humanity, when some idiot said "wow, look at that bright yellow light in the sky, I don't understand it, it must be some kind of god!" some other guy slapped him and said "don't be silly".

Answer 9

The first documented atheist was Diagoras -- 5th century BCE, so at least 2,400 years.

Answer 10

As older than humanity (I'm reasonably certain that none of the Australopithecus genuses had religion).