Discrimination against atheists

Discrimination against atheists is the unfair treatment of people who do not believe in a god. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as atheophobia, atheistophobia, or anti-atheism. It can manifest as prejudice, hostility, or even a total denial of an atheist's existence. Often, this discrimination is rooted in a deep distrust of an atheist's moral character. Even in secular countries, there is a global prevalence of mistrust regarding the moral perceptions of those without religious beliefs. This social tension exists because atheism can be defined in many different ways. Consequently, people persecuted for their views might not have been labeled atheists in different historical contexts.

In the ancient world, atheism likely existed, though it is difficult to study. Scholar Tim Whitmarsh argues that atheists were present, but most surviving references are disparaging. Because monotheism was a minority view in antiquity, atheism often targeted polytheistic practices. The Greek word "atheos," meaning godless, was also used for general religious dissenters. This complicates our understanding of ancient atheism. While persecution occurred, it was relatively rare in ancient times. This rarity may have been due to the small size of atheist groups. It may also have been due to a relative tolerance for different religious views during that era.

During the Middle Ages, religion dominated almost every aspect of human life. Historian Karen Armstrong noted that religion saturated professional, public, and even academic life. Church bells signaled the daily activities of men and women. Because governmental authority often rested on "divine right," denying a god threatened political order. This led to the legal persecution of various groups, including early Christians, Jews, and Sufi Muslims. In the early modern period, the term "atheist" became a broad insult. It was applied to people with opposing theological views, those who committed suicide, or even those who disagreed with beliefs regarding witchcraft. Philosophers like Thomas Aquinas argued that atheism threatened the stability of society.

Legal and religious institutions during the early modern period were often harsh. Lawyer Thomas More argued that religious tolerance should exclude those who denied a deity or the immortality of the soul. John Locke, a founder of modern religious liberty, believed atheists should not have full citizenship rights. During the Inquisition, many accused of atheism or blasphemy faced torture or execution. Notable examples include the Frenchman Etienne Dolet, who was executed in 1546. In 1619, the priest Giulio Cesare Vanini was strangled and burned. The Polish nobleman Kazimierz Łyszczyński was also executed in Warsaw. While some were called atheist martyrs in the 19th century, modern scholars suggest their beliefs were not atheistic by modern standards. Baruch Spinoza was also excommunicated from his Jewish community in Amsterdam, though he did not claim to be an atheist.

In the 19th century, British atheists faced significant social and legal hurdles. The poet Percy Bysshe Shelley was expelled from the University of Oxford for his views. He was also denied custody of his two children after publishing a pamphlet on atheism. For many years, people had to swear Christian oaths to give evidence in court. This requirement was not repealed until Acts were passed in 1869 and 1870. In 1880, Charles Bradlaugh was elected to the British Parliament. However, he was denied his seat because he would not swear a religious oath. He was re-elected three times before the Speaker finally allowed him to take the oath in 1886.

Extreme persecution occurred during the 20th century under totalitarian regimes. In Francoist Spain, the killing of leftists was partially justified by the goal of eliminating non-Catholic atheists. Some argue these mass killings amounted to genocide. In Nazi Germany, a 1933 decree stated that National Socialists should not suffer detriment for having no religious profession. However, the regime simultaneously banned atheist organizations, such as the German Freethinkers League, which had 500,000 members. Adolf Hitler claimed to have "stamped out" the atheistic movement. By 1939, only 1.5% of Germans were considered without faith. Heinrich Himmler even barred atheists from the SS, calling them "unsuited" for service because they refused to acknowledge higher powers.

Modern human rights frameworks aim to protect the right to non-belief. Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights protects freedom of thought and conscience. In 1993, the UN declared that these protections include atheistic beliefs. Signatories are barred from using force to compel people to change their beliefs. In most Western constitutional democracies, legal discrimination against atheists is uncommon. Most of these nations use the separation of church and state to protect individual rights. However, social prejudice still exists. For example, a study showed that atheists in some areas faced lower employment prospects. In Brazil, a 2009 survey found atheists were among the most hated demographic groups. In Europe, while atheists can hold high office, some religious influence remains in education and government processes.