5. Atheism in history

Abstract

‘Atheism in history’ traces the origins and history of atheism. Atheism has its origins in Ancient Greece and although there have always been people who did not believe in God, atheism did not emerge as an overt and avowed belief system until late in the Enlightenment. Since the Enlightenment, almost all atheists have advocated state secularism, which has been one of the great triumphs of Western civilization. It is important to remember, however, that the history of Western atheism is not the history of global atheism. Despite the growth of atheism, suspicion, and even fear, of atheists remains widespread.