Atheism as a historical philosophy and its relevance in contemporary Am

Dis persuasion in the existence of God is an enduring, world-wide phenomenon that is quite possibly also one of the nigh misunderstood belief systems in the world. For many, the term atheism immediately spurs negative imagery shake by years of indoctrination churches proclaiming the sins of the infidels, and how questioning Gods infinite make love will result in instant damnation. Atheists are perceived as dark, nihilistic, immoral, amoral, pessimistic, and even evil, because without God, clearly they are also without morality and goodness. But if this misgiving is so negative, why would nearly 1 billion people globally, and more than than 16 percent of the American population identify themselves as nonbelievers? In fact, a survey published in January 2007 by the Pew inquiry Center for the People & The Press found that 20 percent of Americans amongst the ages of 18 and 25 say they have no religious sleeper or consider themselves atheists or agnostics nearly double those wh o said that in a similar survey 20 years ago (Abel). sure as shooting there is something to be gained in denying one of contemporary civilizations most accepted and cherished beliefs in order to garner the follow of (and often participation from) some of the greatest minds in human history. Indeed, for most nonbelievers, it seems the justification for atheism far outweighs the justifications for theism, which they view as moot, obsolete, and inaccurate.THE PHILOSOPHY depute 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 denomination 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 Saga n. Atheist Universe The Thinking Persons Answer to Christian Fundamentalism. New York Ulysses P, 2006Nielsen, Kai. God, Scepticism and Modernity. Boston Paul & Company Consortium, Incorporated, 1989.Odell v. Koppee, 5 Heisk. (Tenn) 91.Religulous. Dir. Larry Charles. Perf. meridian Maher. Film. 2008.Thrower, James. Western Atheism A Short History. New York Pyr Books, 1999.17th blow - Investigating Atheism. Investigating Atheism. 2008. University of Cambridge. .