Introducing 

Prezi AI.

Your new presentation assistant.

Refine, enhance, and tailor your content, source relevant images, and edit visuals quicker than ever before.

Loading…
Transcript

The History of Atheism

20th Century

18th Century

500-400 BCE

The French Revolution Helps the Spread of Atheism

  • French priest Jean Meslier is the first known atheist to openly deny the existence of God

  • In 1770, the first openly atheist work is published ('The System of Nature' by Baron d'Holbach)

  • Constant bitter protest against the power of the Catholic Church

Atheism starts in Greece

  • Greek philosopher Protagoras is labeled the first atheist

  • The popularity of science strengthened the idea that there is no God

  • Other Greek philosophers follow suit, stating that the gods are man made ideas and do not exist (Critias)

The Political Advancement of Atheism

  • Existentialism, feminism, humanism, objectivism, etc.

  • During the Russian Revolution, Soviet Russia becomes the first acknowledged atheistic state

  • 1967, Albania becomes the world's first officially atheistic state

1750 AD

1900 AD

500 BCE

400 BCE

19th Century

17th Century

Academic Research Undermines Religion

  • 'The Necessity of Atheism' by Percy Bysshe Shelley becomes the first major expression of atheist ideas to be published in the English language (1811)

  • Developments in geology and paleontology help to make people question the Christian creation story

Atheism first appears in Europe

  • Atheism becomes an exclusive belief system thanks to the studies of Isaac Newton

  • Emerged as a response to Christian explanations for natural phenomena

  • Philosophers and scientists continue to make claims that there is no God
Learn more about creating dynamic, engaging presentations with Prezi