What is Atheism?

This video was made possible through the support of Grant 61928 from the John Templeton Foundation managed by The Queen’s University of Belfast. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the John Templeton Foundation or The Queen’s University of Belfast.

Thumbnail art by @hotcyder
Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and Reuters

00:00 Intro
1:25 Complicating the basic definition
6:20 Diversity of atheism and nonreligion
8:03 Atheism as a worldview and identity
11:59 More on Atheism as a social identity
15:34 Patreon plug

[JaelaOrdo]

“Atheism is a non-prophet organization.”

- George Carlin

[GeneticallyModifiedSkeptic]

Oh heck (not hell) yeah. I’ve been eagerly awaiting this series. Great to see this given scholarly treatment rather than getting yet another opinion piece about it (from any side).

[stevenboelke]

If Prager-U can get their shitty videos approved for use in schools as educational material, Religion for Breakfast should be able to get some kind of public funding as well. The minimally biased, scholarly presentation of religion is a public good.

[skepticalcentral]

As an "out" Atheist living in South Africa, this video is probably more respectful and helpful for Theists to understand us than 99% of videos covering the subject on YouTube. Can't wait for more episodes!

[MultiWeb]

So... No Religion for Breakfast, I guess?

[Famous_Athlete_Hashimoto]

As an atheist who has always had a passion for learning about religions, I always appreciated the strictly anthropological approach you took in explaining different religious views. I am truly thrilled that you are now willing to explore irreligion and are keeping with that approach in order to help others understand our world view.


I feel that one important factor that distinguishes atheists from each other is whether they apostatized from religion or not. Those who fall into that category, like myself, tend to have a more negative view of organized religion and engage in more atheist activism because of the factors that caused them to apostatize. In my case, it was my cousin coming out of the closet and then being ridiculed by certain family members that drove me away from Christianity and led me to question my beliefs

[teehee]

I love this new focus on studying atheist worldviews! Lots of folks don't realize the diversity of views subsumed under this one word.

[janpiorko]

Remember, atheism isn’t necessarily antitheism.

[ConankunYT]

TEN episodes on atheism?

Dr Henry, you spoil us. This atheist is looking forward to them.

[maxhatterschannel]

In Western europe it goes like this

"Do you belive in God ?"
"No"
"Ah, ok"

And then noone ever talks about is again.

[thebobbrom]

Got to be honest that's a great thumbnail

[aztecchica]

I'm a Mexican-American woman and have been atheist for almost 10 years. My immediate family knows but not my extended family in Mexico. I faced harsh criticism from my immediate family and I can't imagine how my extended family.

[CommanderdMtllca]

My religious studies professor assigned your videos as part of our class discussions. I had to describe because of your ability to explain very complex topics covering sociology, religion, politics, history, etc. You make me excited to learn these topics.

[bobbyjackson]

To me, an atheist, if one says they are atheist then they are. Even if said atheist might go to a place of worship and do something ritualistic like light a candle, they are still atheist. The atheist could be keeping a promise or request (as best as they can) to a beloved person or friend to do something like, "light a candle in the chapel on my birthday & say a little hello prayer." It's not done out of belief; it's done out of loyalty & love of another. The atheist isn't thinking of any diety during the ritual, they are thinking only of the loved one.

[thereallocke]

This video makes me really happy seeing my existence as an atheist viewed scholarly as opposed to as part of a battle or just ignored. I remeber once sitting in a training that was talking about how to be inclusive of different faiths and it really really stuck me how discussion of people being non believers just never came up. And how a lot or times it just doesn't. Even in politically progressive spaces

[TechBearSeattle]

One thing you said in the second segment (starting around 3:10) reminded me of this famous quote from the early days of the internet:

“I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.” - Stephen Roberts

[roseguy]

As a Buddhist, your Buddhist video on atheism will be interesting to see.

[punkykenickie]

commenting for engagement as a reward for the excellent thumbnail

[jasonGamesMaster]

As an agnostic athiest, I always appreciate your videos, but this one especially

[altontacoma]

Atheist here, thank you for making this video and helping to break down stereotypes about us. As a parent, I can’t afford to support you on Patreon but I hope that those who can will.