1. (n.) The disbelief or denial of the existence of a God, or supreme intelligent Being.

2. (n.) Godlessness.

ATHEISM

a'-the-iz'-m (atheos, "without God" (Ephesians 2:12)): Ordinarily this word is interpreted to mean a denial of the existence of God, a disbelief in God, the opposite of theism. But it seems better that we should consider it under four heads, in order to obtain a clear idea of the different meanings in which it has been used.

(1) The classical.

In this sense it does not mean a denial of the existence of a Divine Being, but the denial of the existence or reality of the god of a particular nation. Thus the Christians were repeatedly charged with atheism, because of their disbelief in the gods of heathenism. It was not charged that they did not believe in any god, but that they denied the existence and reality of the gods worshipped, and before whom the nation hitherto had bowed. This was considered so great a crime, so dangerous a thing to the nation, that it was felt to be a just cause for most cruel and determined persecutions. Socrates' teaching cast a shadow on the reality of the existence of the gods, and this charge was brought against him by his contemporaries. Cicero also uses the word in this sense in his charge against Diagoras of Athens. Indeed, such use of it is common in all classical literature.

(2) Philosophic.

It is not meant that the various philosophic systems to which this term is applied actually deny the existence of a Divine Being or of a First Cause, but that they are atheistic in their teaching, and tend to unsettle the faith of mankind in the existence of God. There is indeed a belief in a first cause, in force, in motion, in a certain aggregation of materials producing life, but the Divine Being as taught by theism is absolutely denied. This is true of the Idealism of Fichte, of the Ideal Pantheism of Spinoza, the Natural Pantheism of Schelling, and similar forms of thought. In applying the word atheism to the teaching here given, theism does not intend to assail them as wholly without a belief in a Divine Being; but it affirms that God is a person, a self-conscious Being, not merely a first cause or force. To deny this fundamental affirmation of theism is to make the teaching atheistic, a denial of that which is essential to theism (Hebrews 11:3).

(3) Dogmatic.

It absolutely denies the existence of God. It has often been held that this is, in fact, impossible. Cousin has said, "It is impossible, because the existence of God is implied in every assertion." It is true, however, that in all ages there have been persons who declared themselves absolute atheists. Especially is this true of the 18th century a period of widespread skepticism-when not a few, particularly in France, professed themselves atheists. In many cases, however, it resulted from a loose use of the word, careless definition, and sometimes from the spirit of boastfulness.

(4) Practical atheism.

It has nothing at all to do with belief. Indeed it accepts the affirmations of theism. It has reference wholly to the mode of life. It is to live as though there was no God.

It takes the form often of complete indifference to the claims of the Divine Being or again of outbroken and defiant wickedness (Psalm 14:1). That this form of atheism is widely prevalent is well known. It is accompanied in many cases with some form of unbelief or prejudice or false opinion of the church or Christianity. Dogmatic atheism is no longer a menace or even a hindrance to the progress of Christianity, but practical atheism is widespread in its influence and a dangerous element in our modern life (compare Isaiah 31:1 Jeremiah 2:13, 17, 18; Jeremiah 18:13-15). Whatever the form, whether it be that of religious agnosticism, denying that we can know that God exists, or critical atheism, denying that the evidence to prove His existence is sufficient, or dogmatic, or practical atheism, it is always a system of negation and as such tears down and destroys. It destroys the faith upon which all human relations are built. Since there is no God, there is no right nor wrong, and human action is neither good nor bad, but convenient or inconvenient. It leaves human society without a basis for order and human government without foundation (Romans 1:10-32). All is hopeless, all is wretchedness, all is tending to the grave and the grave ends all.

Arguments against atheism may be summarized as follows:

(1) It is contrary to reason. History has shown again and again how impossible it is to bring the mind to rest in this doctrine. Although Buddhism is atheistic in its teaching, idolatry is widespread in the lands where it prevails. While the Positive Philosophy of Auguste Comte was based on a denial of the existence of God, his attempt to found the new religion of humanity with rites and ceremonies of worship reveals how the longing for worship cannot be suppressed. It is a revelation of the fact so often seen in the history of human thought, that the mind cannot rest in the tenets of atheism.

(2) It is contrary to human experience. All history testifies that there are deep religious instincts within the human breast. To regard these as deceptive and unreasonable would itself be utterly unreasonable and unscientific. But the fact of such spiritual longing implies also that there is a Being who is responsive to and can satisfy the cry of the heart (Hebrews 11:6). In his Bampton Lectures Reville has said on this subject: "It would be irrational in the last degree to lay down the existence of such a need and such a tendency, and yet believe that the need corresponds to nothing, that the tendency has no goal."

(3) It fails to account for the evidence of design in the universe.

See COSMOLOGY.

(4) It fails to account for the existence of man and the world in general. Here is the universe: how did it come to be? Here is man: how is he to be accounted for? To these and like questions, atheism and atheistic philosophy have no adequate answer to give. See also COSMOLOGY; CREATION; GOD.

Jacob W. Kapp

Romans 1:20
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Topicalbible.org

Psalm 14:1
The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that does good.
Topicalbible.org

Romans 1:19
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has showed it to them.
Topicalbible.org

Atheism Among the People
Atheism Among the People. <. Atheism Among the People Alphonse
de Lamartine. Produced by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Sam ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lamartine/atheism among the people/

Against Atheism and Infidelity.
... ADDITIONAL DISCOURSES. SECT. VIII. AGAINST ATHEISM AND INFIDELITY. ... In short, the
zeal of spreading Atheism is, if possible, more absurd than Atheism itself. ...
/.../sect viii against atheism and.htm

Secret Atheism. March 15.
... Secret Atheism. March 15. There is little hope that we shall learn the
lessons God is for ever teaching us in the events of life ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/daily thoughts /secret atheism march 15.htm

Christians Charged with Atheism.
... Chapter V."Christians charged with atheism. Why, then, should this be?
In our case, who pledge ourselves to do no wickedness, nor ...
/.../the first apology of justin/chapter v christians charged with atheism.htm

Charge of Atheism Refuted.
... Chapter VI."Charge of atheism refuted. Hence are we called atheists. And
we confess that we are atheists, so far as gods of this ...
/.../justin/the first apology of justin/chapter vi charge of atheism refuted.htm

Psalm 36 Practical Atheism Exposed; Or, the Being and Attributes ...
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 36 Practical atheism exposed; or, The being and
attributes of God asserted. v.1,2,5-7,9. CM. Practical ...
/.../the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 36 practical atheism exposed.htm

Sometimes the Masses have Been Driven to Atheism by Science. ...
Atheism Among the People. <. ... VIII. Sometimes the masses have been
driven to Atheism by science.� Sometimes the masses ...
/.../lamartine/atheism among the people/viii sometimes the masses have.htm

Atheism Among the People
Atheism Among the People. <. ... Title Page. LAMARTINE ON ATHEISM. ATHEISM
AMONG THE PEOPLE. BY. ALPHONSE DE LAMARTINE. BOSTON ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lamartine/atheism among the people/title page.htm

Psalm 36 the Wickedness of Man, and the Majesty of God; Or ...
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 36 The wickedness of man, and the majesty of God;
or, Practical atheism exposed. v.1-7 SM. The wickedness ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 36 the wickedness of.htm

Psalm 10 Prayer Heard, Saints Saved; Or, Pride, Atheism, and ...
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 10 Prayer heard, saints saved; or, Pride, atheism,
and oppressors punished. CM Prayer heard, saints saved ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 10 prayer heard saints.htm

Atheism
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ATHEISM. ... Thus the Christians were repeatedly charged
with atheism, because of their disbelief in the gods of heathenism. ...
/a/atheism.htm - 13k

Epicureans (1 Occurrence)
... 17:18). This philosophy was a system of atheism, and taught men to seek
as their highest aim a pleasant and smooth life. They have ...
/e/epicureans.htm - 20k

Atharim (1 Occurrence)

/a/atharim.htm - 7k

Athenians (2 Occurrences)

/a/athenians.htm - 7k

Sub-apostolic
... Some conjecture the writer to be the consul, Flavius Clemens, whom Domitian (his
cousin) put to death in 95 AD for alleged "atheism," ie probably, profession ...
/s/sub-apostolic.htm - 38k

Subapostolic
... Some conjecture the writer to be the consul, Flavius Clemens, whom Domitian (his
cousin) put to death in 95 AD for alleged "atheism," ie probably, profession ...
/s/subapostolic.htm - 38k

Caesar's (10 Occurrences)
... The charges brought against all three were atheism and inclination to Jewish customs:
surely such charges were sufficiently vague and even self-contradictory. ...
/c/caesar's.htm - 18k

Household (222 Occurrences)
... The charges brought against all three were atheism and inclination to Jewish customs:
surely such charges were sufficiently vague and even self-contradictory. ...
/h/household.htm - 47k

Literature (2 Occurrences)
... Some conjecture the writer to be the consul, Flavius Clemens, whom Domitian (his
cousin) put to death in 95 AD for alleged "atheism," ie probably, profession ...
/l/literature.htm - 82k

Empire (8 Occurrences)
... And as religion was a political concern for the welfare of the state, atheism was
likely to call down the wrath of divinity to the subversion of the state. ...
/e/empire.htm - 80k

Atheism

Atheism: Arguments Against

Atheism: General Scriptures Concerning

Epicureans (1 Occurrence)

Atharim (1 Occurrence)

Athenians (2 Occurrences)

Sub-apostolic

Subapostolic

Caesar's (10 Occurrences)

Household (222 Occurrences)

Literature (2 Occurrences)

Empire (8 Occurrences)

Roman (26 Occurrences)

Christianity

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