Discrimination against atheists
Historical and ongoing persecution of those identified as atheists.
Discrimination against atheists—also referred to as atheophobia, atheistophobia, or anti-atheism—involves the persecution and unequal treatment of people identified as atheists, both in the past and today. This can take the form of negative attitudes, prejudice, hostility, hatred, fear, or intolerance toward atheists and atheism, and may even include denying that atheists exist. Regardless of how it appears, distrust is a common thread. Interestingly, when people perceive atheists to be more common, prejudice tends to decrease. Yet mistrust of atheists' moral character is widespread globally, appearing even in secular nations and among atheists themselves.
Because the definition of atheism varies, those persecuted as atheists in one time or place might not have been considered such in another. In thirteen Muslim-majority countries, atheism or apostasy is officially punishable by death. Humanists International reports that "the overwhelming majority" of the 193 United Nations member states "at best discriminate against citizens who have no belief in a god and at worst can jail them for offences dubbed blasphemy." Some argue that the most severe persecution of atheists, including executions and killings, could legally amount to genocide.
In ancient times, Tim Whitmarsh argues that atheism existed, though its extent is hard to gauge because atheists are mainly mentioned disparagingly in surviving texts, with no writings of their own. Since monotheism was then a minority view, atheism mostly attacked polytheistic beliefs and practices. The term "atheos" (godless) was also used for religious dissenters, including monotheists, complicating the historical record. Despite these challenges, Whitmarsh believes atheism then was much like it is today. While atheists (or those seen as such) were occasionally persecuted, this was rare, possibly because they were a small group and there was relative tolerance for different religious views. Other scholars, however, think atheism emerged later. Lucien Febvre referred to the "unthinkability" of atheism in its strongest sense before the sixteenth century, due to the era's "deep religiosity." Karen Armstrong agrees, noting that religion dominated every aspect of life from birth to death, and that even if an exceptional person could question God's existence, they would find no support in the philosophy or science of the time.
- label
- Discrimination against atheists
- also_known_as
- Atheophobia, atheistophobia, anti-atheism
- earliest_attested_period
- Ancient times (disputed by some scholars)
- key_legal_penalty
- Death in thirteen Muslim countries
- UN_member_states_discriminating
- Overwhelming majority of 193 member states
- modern_protection
- Article 18 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Lore & Background
In ancient times, atheism existed but its extent is difficult to assess, as atheists are referenced disparagingly rather than having surviving writings. The word 'atheos' (godless) was also used for religious dissent generally, including monotheists. Despite occasional persecution, it was rare, possibly due to the small size of the group and relative tolerance. Some scholars, such as Lucien Febvre and Karen Armstrong, argue that atheism in its strongest sense was 'unthinkable' before the sixteenth century because of the deep religiosity of that era, where religion dominated every aspect of life and governmental authority rested on divine right.
Reader's Guide
During the early modern period, the term 'atheist' was used as an insult applied to a broad range of people, including those with opposing theological beliefs, suicides, immoral individuals, and opponents of witchcraft. Philosophers like Thomas Aquinas saw atheistic beliefs as threatening to order. John Locke argued that atheists should not be granted full citizenship rights. During the Inquisition, several accused of atheism or blasphemy were tortured or executed, including Giulio Cesare Vanini, Kazimierz Łyszczyński, and Etienne Dolet, though recent scholars hold that their beliefs were not atheistic in modern terms. In the modern era, British atheists in the nineteenth century faced discriminatory practices, such as expulsion from university and denial of custody of children. In Nazi Germany, atheist and left-wing freethought organizations were banned, and Heinrich Himmler did not allow atheists into the SS. Presently, thirteen Muslim countries officially punish atheism or apostasy by death, and Humanists International asserts that the overwhelming majority of UN member states discriminate against citizens who have no belief in a god.
Did You Know?
- Thirteen Muslim countries officially punish atheism or apostasy by death.
- The word 'atheos' in ancient times was also used for religious dissent generally, including monotheists.
- John Locke argued that atheists should not be granted full citizenship rights.
- Heinrich Himmler did not allow atheists into the SS, arguing their refusal to acknowledge higher powers would be a potential source of indiscipline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is Discrimination against atheists?
It is the persecution and unequal treatment directed at people identified as non-believers, ranging from social hostility and fear to outright denial that atheists exist. The phenomenon is also called atheophobia, atheistophobia, or anti-atheism.
What forms does Discrimination against atheists take in practice?
Beyond everyday prejudice and distrust of atheists' moral character, it can escalate to state-sanctioned punishment; in thirteen Muslim-majority countries the prescribed penalty for atheism is death. A unifying thread across every manifestation is a deep, often irrational, suspicion of non-believers.
Where and when does Discrimination against atheists appear?
The phenomenon stretches back to ancient times, although some scholars debate the earliest documented cases. In the present day, an overwhelming majority of the 193 United Nations member states engage in some degree of discrimination against atheists.
How does the story of Discrimination against atheists end in modern law?
Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights offers a global legal shield for freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, which implicitly extends to non-belief. Yet enforcement is uneven, and the death penalty for atheism still stands on the books in several nations.
Why is Discrimination against atheists important to understand?
It exposes a key social-perception dynamic: when people perceive atheists as more common in their surroundings, their prejudice tends to drop. Grasping this mechanism helps explain why mistrust of non-believers' morality persists worldwide even where formal legal protections exist.
More in Social Identity & Prejudice 1-20
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record