Causes of the Spread of Atheism: An Analysis of Scientific, Social, Intellectual and Psychological Factors

Abstract

The study provides a brief overview of some of the scientific, social and Intellectual forces. That together, have contributed to the growth of Atheism through the world, and how these forces have interacted in certain ways to diminish faith in God and foster secular identities. Non-theistic explanations of physical and biological phenomena advanced through the fields of natural science and evolutionary theory, diminishing the need for religion to explain these phenomena and making naturalistic worldviews more plausible for many people. Philosophical skepticism, enlightenment, rationalism, and modern secular atheism (including “New Atheism”) encourage questioning of religious belief, give the importance to empirical evidence and humanist virtues, and use public attacks on religious institutions to drive religious affiliation away from skepts and critics.

Keywords: New Atheism, Secularization, Science and Religion, Modernism.