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Articles by subject: atheism

Phony war (by Paul Sims, May/June 2012 ): A motley minority of moralists have launched an assault on British secularism. Bad move, says Paul Sims
No more lies (by Alom Shaha, May/June 2012 ): In his powerful new book, The Young Atheist’s Handbook, Alom Shaha challenges young Muslims to be honest if they don’t believe, and calls on organised atheism to broaden its appeal beyond an intellectual elite. Here he explains why he wrote it
The passion of the bishop (by Caspar Melville, May/June 2012 ): After years of struggle with his faith and dispair at the church's in-fighting and repressive attitude to sex, fomer bishop of Edinburgh Richard Holloway left religion behind. Caspar Melville hears his confession
No fire, no brimstone: An interview with Alain de Botton (by Caspar Melville, March/April 2012 ): Alain de Botton thinks atheists should take the best ideas from religion, and leave the bad stuff behind. Caspar Melville goes in search of enlightenment
An atheist at Alcoholics Anonymous (by Frank B., March/April 2012 ): Spirituality is central to the Twelve Step programme. But when Frank B reached rock bottom, he discovered that even the godless can be saved
I may as well be a unicorn (by Jamila Bey, January/February 2012 ): As an African-American atheist woman Jamila Bey wonders if she even exists
D'oh my God: faith in The Simpsons (by Andrew Mueller, January/February 2012 ): This year, The Simpsons celebrate their 25th birthday and their 500th episode. Andrew Mueller pays homage to the family we can all believe in
Editorial: Oh my America (by Caspar Melville, January/February 2012 ): Faith and the American way
Last post (by Chris Holden, November/December 2011 ): While serving in Afghanistan, Petty Officer Chris Holden has attended numerous memorials to honour the dead. This is what they look like to an atheist
What are they teaching my kids? (by Rob Deering, November/December 2011 ): Rob Deering is unimpressed by his local primary school's reliance on lazy, default Christianity
Vicars, vicars everywhere (by Caspar Melville, November/December 2011 ): An issue that's packed with priests
Briefing: Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People (by Adam Rutherford, September/October 2011 ): Adam Rutherford remembers getting atheists reciting the Lord's Prayer at last year's rationalist jamboree
Varieties of irreligious experience (by Jonathan Rée, September/October 2011 ): There are many ways not to believe. Jonathan Rée on the evoluton of atheist thought
Human folly (by Matthew Adams, September/October 2011 ): Half a millennium ago a book by a Catholic theologian unwittingly ignited a secular revolution. Matthew Adams salutes Erasmus
No doubt (by Mano Singham, July/August 2011 ): Since there is nothing useful about the God hypothesis, we can happily discard it. Physicist Mano Singham makes the scientific case for atheism
Q&A: Marcus Brigstocke (by Editorial Staff, July/August 2011 ): Between the arrogant believers and the smug atheists stands a lone comic, with only a successful career for comfort.
Slayer of religion (by Matthew Adams, July/August 2011 ): For critic James Wood the novel offers an antidote to unforgiving certainties, sacred and profane. Matthew Adams meets him
The benefit of doubt (by Christopher Lane, May/June 2011 ): We shouldn’t be afraid of being uncertain, argues Christopher Lane
Book review: The Godless Boys by Naomi Wood (by Philip Womack, May/June 2011 ): Philip Womack is uninspired by a dystopian debut
Count yourself out (by Winston Fletcher, March/April 2011 ): Winston Fletcher warns that the question asking your religion, included again in this year’s census, is designed to distort
Rhyme & reason (by Jonathan Rée, March/April 2011 ): 200 years ago Percy Bysshe Shelley was expelled from Oxford for publishing ‘The Necessity of Atheism’. Jonathan Rée reassesses the romantic poet’s rationalism
Careless talk? (by Paul Sims, January/February 2011 ): Some secularists believe that any communication with believers amounts to collaboration. Paul Sims isn’t so sure
Is it time for atheist schools? (by Francis Beckett, November/December 2010 ): Francis Beckett outlines his proposal for Britain's first avowedly humanist state school
Don't fall into the faith school trap (by Rabbi Jonathan Romain, November/December 2010 ): Responding to Francis Beckett's proposal for a humanist school, Rabbi Jonathan Romain of the Accord Coalition warns of the risks of endorsing religious segregation in education
Who won the Pope wars? (by Paul Sims, November/December 2010 ): Catholics, secularists, protestors, pilgrims and provocateurs all claimed victory after the Pontiff’s recent visit. Paul Sims assesses the final score
Calm down, old boy: Laurie Taylor interviews Simon Heffer (by Laurie Taylor, November/December 2010 ): Telegraph thunderer Simon Heffer reveals to Laurie Taylor what it’s like being right
Heathen's greetings (by Stephanie Merritt, November/December 2010 ): They thought it was a joke when Robin Ince said he was going to mix atheism, comedy and Christmas. But, reports Stephanie Merritt, he’s having the last laugh
Antichrist (by Jonathan Rée, November/December 2010 ): Likeable anarchist, modest Übermensch, atheist preacher – Jonathan Rée is delighted by the paradoxical philosopher
Q&A: Harry Kroto (by Editorial Staff, November/December 2010 ): Nobel-prize winning chemist Harry Kroto talks Buckyballs and belief
It's all just words (by Caspar Melville, September/October 2010 ): Blasphemer, failure, hypocrite, comedian – Stewart Lee tells Caspar Melville why he’s so offensive
Q&A: Marilynne Robinson (by Editorial Staff, September/October 2010 ): She has won the Pulitzer and Orange prizes for her fiction, and been called the greatest writer of prose in the English language. With her new book she enters the God debate. We talk to Marilynne Robinson, author of Absence of Mind
Stargazer (by David Wootton, September/October 2010 ): David Wootton, author of a new biography, uncovers evidence that Galileo really was a heretic
Q&A: Tim Minchin (by Editorial Staff, July/August 2010 ): As he prepares for his first ever arena tour, we catch up with rising rationalist star Tim Minchin
Divine Image (by Aaron Rosen, May/June 2010 ): What can the godless learn from religious art? A lot, says Aaron Rosen
The cosy atheist: Laurie Taylor interviews Rebecca Goldstein (by Laurie Taylor, May/June 2010 ): Laurie Taylor quizzes Rebecca Goldstein, author of 36 Arguments for the Existence of God, on her novel approach to religion
Q&A: Daniel Dennett and Linda LaScola (by Editorial Staff, May/June 2010 ): A powerful new piece of research by philosopher Daniel Dennett and qualitative researcher Linda LaScola features interviews with five Christian ministers who have lost their faith but continue to preach. At the top are quotes from two of the priests, and below we speak to the authors
Testament by Jean Meslier (by Colin Brewer, January/February 2010 ): Colin Brewer admires the last testament of an atheist priest
Beyond belief (by Richard Norman, November/December 2009 ): Some sophisticated arguments for God have been made in response to the New Atheists. Richard Norman puts the ‘New Believers’ to the test. Illustrations by Irene Fuga
Atheism in Christianity by Ernst Bloch (by Owen Hatherley, September/October 2009 ): Owen Hatherley sings the praises of Ernst Bloch, the prophet of serious atheism
Tragic hero: Laurie Taylor interviews Terry Eagleton (by Laurie Taylor, July/August 2009 ): Laurie Taylor meets the Marxist critic gunning for the New Atheists
What kind of humanist are you? (by Editorial Staff, July/August 2009 ): Are you hardline or happy, hedonist or hounded? Answer the questions below and find out how far your personality suits your philosophy
Prometheus bound (by R Joseph Hoffman, July/August 2009 ): Paul Kurtz, champion of American secular humanism, has been ousted from the organisation he founded. R Joseph Hoffman, a former colleague, traces the origins of the split
True disbelievers (by Theodore Dalrymple, January/February 2009 ): Being faith-less is no excuse for rewriting history, says Theodore Dalrymple
Editorial: Fine lessons (by Caspar Melville, January/February 2009 ): Funny how atheists enjoying themselves can be so threatening to believers
Diary: Hitchen' a ride (by Ariane Sherine, November/December 2008 ): Atheist Bus Campaign creator Ariane Sherine on what was probably the craziest week of her life
Editorial: Vive la Revolución! (by Caspar Melville, November/December 2008 ): Amid the battered bankers and pessimistic pundits why are humanists so happy?
Without illusions (by Doug Ireland, September/October 2008 ): Doug Ireland welcomes a passionate and practical approach to secularism
The Secular Conscience: Why Belief Belongs in Public Life by Austin Dacey (by Jenny Bunker, September/October 2008 ): Jenny Bunker is at ease with a secular conscience
Diary: Heard the one about the ex-Muslim? (by Nick Doody, September/October 2008 ): It's fine to laugh at religion, just don't pander to the knee-jerk bigots, says Nick Doody
Politicised religion requires a militant response (by Elizabeth Wilson, January/February 2008 ): It’s not peace in heaven that religion is after, but political power here on Earth, says Elizabeth Wilson
Holy communion (by Richard Norman, November/December 2007 ): New wave atheism is aggressively antagonistic to religion. But, argues Richard Norman, it’s more fruitful to find common ground
Editorial: The A Word (by Caspar Melville, November/December 2007 ): When it comes to being cultish and dogmatic, religion is still the brand leader
Thinker: Ludwig Andreas von Feuerbach (by Nina Power, September/October 2007 ): Ludwig Andreas von Feuerbach was the man who brought religion down to earth, says Nina Power
Atheism à la mode (by Caspar Melville, July/August 2007 ): What is the outspoken French atheist philosopher Michel Onfray really saying? Caspar Melville meets him and canvasses some expert opinion.
Thinker: Jean Meslier (by Colin Brewer, July/August 2007 ): Colin Brewer on Jean Meslier, a priest who left a deathbed bombshell
Anti-God squad (by Caspar Melville, March/April 2007 ): Caspar Melville speaks to the Rational Response Squad, America's new web-savvy atheist activists
Editorial: I respect your ignorance (by Caspar Melville, March/April 2007 ): Humanists are not dogmatists obsessed with belief, says Caspar Melville
Diary: Comic timing (by Shappi Khorsandi, January/February 2007 ): Shappi Khorsandi reflects on the glamorous life of an atheist stand-up
Gentle rottweiler: Laurie Taylor interviews Richard Dawkins (by Laurie Taylor, January/February 2007 ): Richard Dawkins' attack on religion has been hailed, revered and derided. He talks to Laurie Taylor about the mixed reception of The God Delusion
Editorial: Bleaker still and bleaker? (by Caspar Melville, November/December 2006 ): What do they mean by 'post-secular'?
Diary: Putting on the God helmet (by Mick Gordon, November/December 2006 ): Playright and director Mick Gordon describes how he went about creating religious voices for his new play
End Game: States of disbelief (by Laurie Taylor, September/October 2006 ): Atheists aren't the most popular in America. Laurie Taylor reports
Reasonable bounds (by AC Grayling, July/August 2006 ): Continuing our series reclaiming thinkers for humanism, AC Grayling celebrates Immanuel Kant
Spirited away (by Meera Nanda, May/June 2006 ): Some atheists start believing in anything after they give up believing in God, says Meera Nanda
Spinoza the atheist (by Steven Nadler, March/April 2006 ): This reconsideration by Steven Nadler is the first in a series on philosophers who have particular, if sometimes unacknowledged, significance for humanists.
Lobbing Horseshit (by Martin Rowson, July/August 2005 ): With everyone talking about the need for 'respect' Martin Rowson reckons it's time to come clean about what they really mean
Buggering on a pinhead (by Martin Rowson, May/June 2005 ): Martin Rowson is delighted to report that religion is on it's last legs
Take that for Jesus! (by Newton Emerson, January/February 2005 ): Newton Emerson on growing up atheist in Northern Ireland
God's goof - the universe (by John Maddox, January/February 2004 ): John Maddox reviews a godless collection
Puritan Atheist: Laurie Taylor interviews Christopher Hitchens (by Laurie Taylor, Autumn 2002 ): Christopher Hitchens talks to Laurie Taylor about George Orwell, false gods and bogus utopias
A public presence (by Bernard Crick, Summer 1999 ): Bernard Crick reflects on 100 years of the RPA
The "New Atheists" are responding to provocation, not mounting an arbitrary attack (by AC Grayling, Web Exclusive, December 2007): On behalf of the New Atheists AC Grayling blasts back at Theodore Dalrymple
Facebook knows I'm an atheist (by Bill Thompson, Web Exclusive, January 2008): Social networkers are broadcasting their unbelief all over the web, says Bill Thompson. And in doing so they might just help raise the profile of atheism.
Film review: Religulous (by Fred Rowson, Web Exclusive, April 2009): Debunking faith on screen is a confused business, finds Fred Rowson
Probably? Not! (by Michael Neumann, Web Exclusive, July 2009): Atheists shouldn’t be afraid to be certain, says Michael Neumann
Growing up godless (by Catie Wilkins, Web Exclusive, August 2010): “Should you tell your four-year-old you believe we are all alone in a godless universe? My Dad did, and I turned out OK. Discounting the fact I am a comedian..." Catie Wilkins on her atheist upbringing
The Blair-Hitch project (by Matthew Adams, Web Exclusive, November 2010): Hitchens debating religion with Blair in Toronto was a heavyweight contest worth staying up for. Matthew Adams keeps the scores
The man who would be God: an interview with AC Grayling (by Matthew Adams, Web Exclusive, April 2011): Anthony Grayling's latest book is his most daring. He has rewritten the Bible, leaving out God. Matthew Adams meets him
Freethinking in the Arab Spring (by Max Opray, Web Exclusive, July 2011): Expressing irreligious views can be dangerous in the Middle East but, for the region's largest group of online rationalists, the Egyptian revolution is a cause for optimism, finds Max Opray