atheism
Study: Women of no faith face discrimination — when they are seen at all
By Alejandra Molina — March 22, 2022
(RNS) — ‘Nonreligious Women in America’ details the extent to which women conceal their nonreligious identities, as well as the isolation, stigma and discrimination they face.
Study: Atheists who are women, Republicans or Southerners more likely to hide beliefs
By Alejandra Molina — March 10, 2022
(RNS) — In groups that statistically have the fewest number of atheists, the atheists among them are less vocal.
After moving out of their comfort zone, atheists in Kenya gain visibility
By Fredrick Nzwili — February 7, 2022
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — A small atheist organization in Kenya is gaining ground in this largely Christian nation as it tackles political ideologies and human rights matters, wading into debates outside its usual critiques of religion.
In Catholic Italy, ‘de-baptism’ is gaining popularity
By Sara Badilini — November 16, 2021
(RNS) — Though data is sparse, the church and Italian atheists agree that the 2-decade-old process is becoming more common.
Bobbie Kirkhart, who fostered atheist community, dies at 78
By Heather Morrison — November 10, 2021
(RNS) — She was a pioneer who championed atheism not as merely nonbelief but a force in its own right and a critique of religion’s sway over society.
Dalai Lama says China’s leaders ‘don’t understand’ diversity
By Associated Press — November 10, 2021
On Wednesday, the 86-year-old Buddhist monk said he wished to remain home in India rather than get involved in the “complicated politics" between China, run by the officially atheist Communist Party, and strongly Buddhist Taiwan.
Many scientists are atheists, but that doesn’t mean they are anti-religious
By Elaine Howard Ecklund and David R. Johnson — November 2, 2021
(The Conversation) — Two sociologists conducted interviews with atheist scientists and found that their views on religion are not as strident as the public perceives. Some even go to church.
What Harvard’s humanist chaplain shows about atheism in America
By Wendy Cadge and Penny Edgell — September 27, 2021
(The Conversation) — Americans are getting more comfortable with new forms of spirituality, but their views of atheists are still complicated.
‘Imagine’ at 50: Why John Lennon’s ode to humanism still resonates
By Phil Zuckerman — September 16, 2021
(The Conversation) — Regularly topping lists for ‘greatest song of all time,’ the former Beatle’s classic 1971 song is taken by many as an atheistic anthem.
Harvard’s ‘atheist chaplain’ is no contradiction. It’s a chance to grow as a nation.
By Mary Ellen Giess — September 2, 2021
(RNS) — The school’s new president of chaplains lives up to the promise of American pluralism.
Ex-Muslims in India find solidarity online as they face social and familial rejection
By Bhavya Dore — August 10, 2021
MUMBAI, India (RNS) — ‘We needed a place to belong, a safe space to be ourselves.’ Ex-Muslims are driven by a particular need to articulate their disentanglement from their religion and not simply turn atheist.
There’s a religious revival going on in China — under the constant watch of the Communist Party
By Mario Poceski — August 9, 2021
(The Conversation) — President Xi Jinping’s nationalist agenda includes supporting traditional Chinese religious beliefs and practices – as long as their leaders support the Chinese Communist Party.
American Humanist leader Roy Speckhardt stepping down to make room for diverse leaders
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 5, 2021
(RNS) — Speckhardt told Religion News Service his decision was prompted by a lot of 'humanistic soul searching, especially during the pandemic.'
Secular groups praise Biden’s agenda but express concerns about religious rhetoric
By Jack Jenkins — February 4, 2021
WASHINGTON (RNS) — ‘I worry that this administration’s idea of interfaith outreach may tend to exclude nonbelievers,’ said Sarah Levin, program director for Secular Democrats of America.
Black skeptics find meaning in uplifting their community through social justice
By Alejandra Molina — October 15, 2020
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Black nonbelievers have for years been working to redefine what it means to be atheist, a word too often linked to white spaces mostly concerned with creationism and the separation of church and state.
