Atheism is simply the opposite of theism. The prefix A means "without" or "not", so Atheism is simply a lack of belief in god(s). It is not a religion, just like theism is not a religion. Atheists are usually quite fond of life, since it is the only one we have.Theists if you think about it, need a god to make their existance make sense and to make them respect life.

A lack of beleif in God.

Atheism
Benefits:
- Free on Sunday!
- Get to focus on the now.
- No guilt!
- Can claim full responsibility for life's achievments.
Drawbacks:
- No afterlife. :(
- Must take responsibility for life's failures. Dang!

1) Non-theism, NOT anti-theism.

2) Not believing in a god, and often, the divine and supernatural in general.

Atheism's followers are called "Atheists"; many ignorant rednecks, however, mistake them for anti-chrisians, satanists, et cetera. Many atheists be that way secretly, to avoid persecution, they are called "closet atheists".

Atheism is bases upon the fact that there is absolutely no solid evidence to show that gods exist. Primitave humans invented gods to explain things they were not advanced enough to explain themselves. Once civiliation was secured, philosophy and science could really start. Parent-to-child indocterination, mostly, has kept religion alive this far.

A word for the western world... They say that atheists single-out chrisitans, never bothering jews, muslums, hindus, etc. Sometimes, that's true in countries where christians are the majority. And when that's the case, they tend to make life hard for minorities. In America, most persecution against atheists comes from christians; so, contempt for christians is developed.

Foolish persons blame the death of over 100 million on the atheism of Stalin and Mao. To assume anyone would base EVERY action on their religion, or lack of one, is uterly irrational. Stalin was paranoid, he killed anyone he had the slightest bad feeling about. His perscution of the orthodox church was not for the sake of atheism, but punishment for supporting the czars. He spared muslums not because of hate for just jews, christians, and such; he was building relationships with middle-eastern countries. Mao killed mostly to conquer the Chinese government and to secure communism's power. Oh, and the holocaust? That was borderline judeophibic anti-semitism, not atheism.

To counter the preveous, think... the crusades, think of witch hunts, of 9/11, gay-bashing, violent jihad, the KKK, the Westboro Baptis Church, the inquisition, jewish segregation, to name a few...

They say atheists have no morals, ethics, values... nothing holding them back. Simply put, that's bullshit. They're no less moral than theists. And truely, you must question the sanity of someone who behaves himself ONLY out of fear of eternal torment.

Roughly 75% of Americans are christians, and at least 10% are atheists.

Now, let's check American prisons...

Roughly 80% of inmates are christians, and less than 0.5% are atheists.

Thinking for oneself, exercising common sense; being brave enough to follow one's heart without fear of the "power" of a "higher being".

the arrogant belief that the entire universe was not created for our benefit

A lack of belief or faith in the existence of a god or gods, especcially, a belief that there is no god. Atheism is a belief which is often insulted unjustly by its opponents. Atheists are also often called Satanists by Christian fundamentalists who do not understand the beliefs of Satanism. Believers in atheism have been blamed for events such as the 9/11 suicide attacks on the "Twin Towers" in New York, New York, United States of America by such people as Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson.

Quite simply put; someone who lacks a god belief. This could be the absence of said god in mind, or lack of faith. Just like members of any group, some of us are overzealous or so ignorant we fail to realize the purpose of any source of morales. Do not judge eachother based on prejudice. Do not seek to find flaws in eachother's beliefs but instead seek enlightenment through yours. Love everything.

The belief that a god or more than one god does not exist. Atheists believe in facts that are proven to be true and tend to lean toward science for answers. They believe things happen in the absolute literal sense and not in the spiritual sense.