Atheism

This article deals with Atheism as it relates to NationStates. For more general information, see the Wikipedia article on this subject.

Atheism is the complete lack of a religion, it is acknowledging that there is no force or power other than the physical. It could also be described as the condition of lacking theistic belief. For more information on the background of atheism see Wikipedia:Atheism.

Atheist nations in Nationstates

Atheism is prevalent in various different NS nations.

Communist states

Support for atheism has been the official stance of most communist countries with a few notable exceptions. Karl Marx, an atheist, wrote that religion is the "opiate of the masses," which is often interpreted to mean that it exists in order to blind people to the true state of affairs in a society, and thus make them more amenable to social control and exploitation. Others suggest that communism itself can be seen as religion.

Examples of communist where religion is forbidden:

• need to browse the wiki for such nations listed here (there are plenty in II)

Dictatorships

Many dictatorships have regulated or forbidden religious groups which are viewed as possible centers of opposition against their totalitarian rule. Others created religions in their own image, such as ((personality cults, which have religious characteristics but prescribe an atheistic lifestyle.

"Western" nations (needs a better title)

Atheism is more common in the secular countries of Western Europe and in former or present communist nations than in the United States, and more common among scientists, particularly natural scientists, than among the general population (see the relationship between religion and science).

• Secular humanism
• Examples: Knootoss (some others, I have to look them up)
• A number of countries in Haven, Iuthia (sortof).

Atheistic organizations

Atheism is not synonymous with irreligion. There are religious belief systems, including much of Buddhism, Unitarian Universalism, and Universism, which do not require theistic belief.

Other organisations

• DSRO Secular Resistance (DSRO), a terrorist organisation committed to atheist ideals.
• Order of the Invisible Hand preaching against religion on many occasions.