Atheism vs. Theism — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 8, 2024
Atheism rejects the belief in the existence of any deities, whereas theism is the belief in one or more gods or divine beings. Theism encompasses a range of beliefs about god(s), while atheism centers on the absence of such beliefs.
Difference Between Atheism and Theism
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Key Differences
Atheism is a viewpoint that denies the existence of any god or gods, often based on skepticism or empirical evidence. Theism, on the other hand, affirms the existence of one or more deities, which may be understood through religious or philosophical beliefs.
Atheism includes a spectrum of disbelief, from those who assertively deny all gods (strong atheism) to those who simply lack belief (weak atheism). Theism similarly spans monotheism, which believes in one god, and polytheism, which acknowledges multiple deities.
Atheism often emphasizes naturalistic explanations of existence, while theism attributes creation and moral principles to divine authority, varying significantly across different cultures and religions.
Atheists may focus on humanistic or secular ethical systems in the absence of religious doctrine. Theists derive their moral guidelines from religious texts or divine revelation.
Atheism is more prevalent in secular societies where religion plays a reduced role. Theism, however, remains predominant globally, providing cultural and personal frameworks for spirituality.
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Comparison Chart
Belief in Deity
Denies/lacks belief in any deity
Affirms belief in one or more deities
Moral Foundation
Secular/humanistic ethics
Religious texts/divine principles
Scope
Absence of belief in any divine being
Belief in various types of god(s)
Common Forms
Strong and weak atheism
Monotheism, polytheism, pantheism
Influence
Prominent in secular societies
Widespread globally in religious societies
Compare with Definitions
Atheism
A worldview rejecting belief in any deities.
The rise of secularism led to more people identifying with atheism.
Theism
A belief in one or more gods or divine beings.
Theism is evident in both ancient and modern religions around the world.
Atheism
A stance that no gods or divine entities exist.
Philosophical atheism argues that the concept of god is logically incoherent.
Theism
The recognition of supernatural forces and entities.
In Islam, theism encompasses belief in Allah as the sole creator.
Atheism
An outlook focusing on empirical and rational inquiry.
Many scientists adopt atheism due to its alignment with evidence-based reasoning.
Theism
The assertion that divine beings possess influence over moral and natural laws.
In Christianity, theism revolves around a god that is all-powerful and all-knowing.
Atheism
A position emphasizing secular humanism over religious beliefs.
Advocates of atheism often stress the importance of ethics grounded in reason.
Theism
A religious belief system involving worship of a higher power.
Hindu theism includes reverence for gods like Vishnu and Shiva.
Atheism
The absence or lack of belief in any divine being.
Some individuals hold atheism simply because they were not raised in a religious tradition.
Theism
The conviction that a deity or deities govern or created the universe.
Many forms of theism posit a god who is personally involved with creation.
Atheism
Atheism, in the broadest sense, is an absence of belief in the existence of deities. Less broadly, atheism is a rejection of the belief that any deities exist.
Theism
Theism is broadly defined as the belief in the existence of a supreme being or deities. In common parlance, or when contrasted with deism, the term often describes the classical conception of God that is found in monotheism (also referred to as classical theism) – or gods found in polytheistic religions—a belief in God or in gods without the rejection of revelation as is characteristic of deism.Atheism is commonly understood as non-acceptance or rejection of theism in the broadest sense of theism, i.e.
Atheism
Disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods.
Theism
Belief in the existence of a god or gods, especially belief in a personal God as creator and ruler of the world.
Atheism
Disbelief in or denial of the existence of God or gods.
Theism
Belief in the existence of at least one deity.
Atheism
(narrowly) Belief that no deities exist (sometimes including rejection of other religious beliefs).
Theism
(narrowly) Belief in the existence of a personal creator god, goddess, gods and/or goddesses present and active in the governance and organization of the world and the universe. The God may be known by or through revelation.
Atheism
(broadly) Rejection of belief that any deities exist (with or without a belief that no deities exist).
Theism
A morbid condition resulting from excessive consumption of tea.
Atheism
(very broadly) Absence of belief that any deities exist (including absence of the concept of deities).
Theism
The belief or acknowledgment of the existence of a God, as opposed to atheism, pantheism, or polytheism.
Atheism
(historical) Absence of belief in a particular deity, pantheon, or religious doctrine (notwithstanding belief in other deities).
Theism
The morbid condition resulting from the excessive use of tea.
Atheism
The disbelief or denial of the existence of a God, or supreme intelligent Being.
Atheism is a ferocious system, that leaves nothing above us to excite awe, nor around us to awaken tenderness.
Atheism and pantheism are often wrongly confounded.
Theism
The doctrine or belief in the existence of a God or gods
Atheism
Godlessness.
Atheism
The doctrine or belief that there is no God
Atheism
A lack of belief in the existence of God or gods
Common Curiosities
Is theism always monotheistic?
No, theism can include polytheism, pantheism, and other forms that recognize multiple deities.
Do atheists have ethical systems without religious guidelines?
Yes, many atheists adhere to secular, humanistic moral principles independent of religious doctrines.
Do atheists reject all forms of spirituality?
Not always; some atheists may engage in non-religious spiritual practices, like meditation.
Does atheism imply certainty about the non-existence of deities?
No, some atheists simply lack belief in gods without asserting their absolute non-existence.
Can someone be both agnostic and atheist?
Yes, agnostic atheists believe there's no convincing evidence of gods, while remaining open to the possibility.
Is theism always connected to a particular religion?
No, one can be a theist and hold personal beliefs independent of organized religion.
What distinguishes monotheism from polytheism?
Monotheism believes in a single god, while polytheism recognizes multiple deities.
How does atheism relate to secularism?
Secularism advocates separating religion from public affairs, aligning with atheism's rejection of divine influence.
Do atheists and theists agree on any moral principles?
Yes, both often share common ethical views like honesty, compassion, and justice.
Does theism require active religious practice?
Not necessarily; some theists hold personal beliefs in god(s) without formal religious participation.
Can atheism coexist with cultural religious practices?
Yes, cultural atheists may partake in traditional religious ceremonies while lacking belief.
Is atheism a recent phenomenon?
No, atheistic ideas have appeared throughout history, notably in ancient Greek and Indian philosophy.
Can theism be philosophically defended?
Yes, many philosophical arguments exist to defend theism, such as the cosmological or ontological arguments.
How do atheism and agnosticism differ?
Atheism concerns belief in gods, while agnosticism questions whether knowledge of gods is attainable.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
