Atheism in World Religions: A Critical and Analytical Study of Its Types, Concepts, and Impacts

مذاہب عالم میں الحاد: اقسام، تصورات اور اثرات کا علمی و تنقیدی جائزہ

Abstract

Atheism challenges the foundational beliefs of religions such as Christianity, Islam, and others, specifically the existence of God, His messengers, and the concept of the Hereafter. It has propagated skepticism across religious traditions by denying the existence of Allah, rejecting the notion of divine messengers, and raising critical questions about the afterlife. However, these efforts have achieved limited success due to the inherently metaphysical nature of these beliefs. Atheists also criticized Christianity by highlighting how medieval Christian scholars incorporated certain scientific and philosophical concepts of their time—such as the geocentric view of the universe—into their theology. When modern scientific discoveries disproved these ideas, it led to widespread disillusionment and a crisis of faith in Christianity. Islam, on the other hand, remained largely unaffected by such critiques, as it lacks comparable theological constructs. Consequently, atheism has permeated various Western religious traditions, gaining adherents who reject all forms of organized religion and openly identify as atheists. In contemporary times, atheism continues to evolve, adopting new forms and narratives. This research critically examines atheism, addressing key questions: What is atheism? What are its various forms and societal causes? How does atheism influence religious thought and societal dynamics? Through a detailed analysis, this study aims to contribute to the understanding of atheism's development and its implications for religious and philosophical discourse.