Atheism as a historical philosophy and its relevance in contemporary Am

Disbelief in the existence of God is an enduring, worldwide phenomenon that is quite an possibly also one of the most misunderstood belief systems in the world. For many, the term atheism immediately spurs negative imagery inspired by eld of indoctrination churches proclaiming the sins of the infidels, and how questioning Gods infinite love will result in instant damnation. Atheists atomic number 18 perceived as dark, nihilistic, immoral, amoral, pessimistic, and even evil, because without God, clearly they are also without morality and goodness. But if this disbelief is so negative, why would nearly 1 billion people globally, and more than 16 percent of the American nation identify themselves as nonbelievers? In fact, a survey published in January 2007 by the Pew Research Center for the People & The Press found that 20 percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 25 say they have no religious affiliation or consider themselves atheists or agnostics nearly double those who verbalise that in a similar survey 20 years ago (Abel). Surely there is something to be gained in denying one of contemporary civilizations most accepted and cherished beliefs in order to garner the respect of (and often participation from) some of the greatest minds in human history. Indeed, for most nonbelievers, it seems the exculpation for atheism far outweighs the justifications for theism, which they view as moot, obsolete, and inaccurate.THE PHILOSOPHYPut simply, atheism is the belief that there is no God or gods. In this sense, it is true that atheism is a negative philosophy in that it is the negation of theism (the word is derived from the Greek a - without, theos - God). However, as we shall see, this perception of atheism as a negative w... ...008 .Martin, Michael. Atheism A Philosophical Justification. New York, MI Temple UP, 1990.Martin, Michael, ed. The Cambridge Companion to Atheism. New York Cambridge UP, 2006. Mills, David, and Dorion Sagan. Atheist Universe T he Thinking Persons Answer to Christian Fundamentalism. New York Ulysses P, 2006Nielsen, Kai. God, Scepticism and Modernity. Boston capital of Minnesota & Company Consortium, Incorporated, 1989.Odell v. Koppee, 5 Heisk. (Tenn) 91.Religulous. Dir. Larry Charles. Perf. Bill Maher. Film. 2008.Thrower, James. Western Atheism A Short History. New York Pyr Books, 1999.17th Century - Investigating Atheism. Investigating Atheism. 2008. University of Cambridge. .