How old is atheism?

Answer 1

Opinions

• Since religion had to have a beginning, Atheism is older than religion. Richard Leakey (The Origin of Humankind) believes that the first evidence of religion shows up around 30,000 years ago, in certain cave paintings in Europe. Ritual burials, arguably evidence of religious practices, date from about the same time. Based on that evidence, all humans were atheists until around 30,000 years ago. Atheism was never 'created' and is not a response to any one religion, because it is not an organised philosophy - anyone who does not believe in any god is an atheist. .

• Atheism can't be "invented" it simply is. Atheism is the lack of belief in a god. Which obviously means atheism has been around for as long as any living thing has, even before that.
• Atheism did not "start" it is the original status of all humankind. Mark Twain is, however, good enough to tell us when religion started. In his words "Religion was invented when the first con man met the first fool." Even today children are atheists until inculcated into a religion by adults.
• We are all born Atheists and our eventual religious beliefs are largely a matter of geography. Therefore Atheism precludes religions.

Answer 2

I imagine this refers to an era in which most people do not believe in a god or gods. Research shows that regular church attendance and religious affiliation is declining slowly in most countries except the USA so hopefully this era will arrive soon

Answer 3

It has gone to the beginning of time