Atheism

1928 Soviet postcard by Boris Klinch showing a worker destroying Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism.

Atheism is, at its simplest, the lack of belief in any form of gods or divinity. Marxist dialectical materialism is inherently atheistic and puts the material world in a primary position. Various socialist states have sought to encourage scientific atheism in their society through policies such as state atheism.

Etymology

The English word atheism comes directly from the Middle French word athéisme, a loan from Ancient Greek ἄθεος. This Ancient Greek term translates to "without god". The first attestation of the term "atheism" dates back to 1587 CE.

Forms

Bourgeois vs. socialist atheism

The atheism of Marxism diverges from that of liberal and other capitalist outlooks in that it does not merely criticize atheism in an abstract, idealist sense which often results in blaming religions on individual workers, but actively seeks to understand the material foundation of religion to begin with so as to better address the needs of the people.

See also

• State atheism
• Agnosticism