What is atheism?

@ChipmunkErnie There are more gods and goddesses than there are people but a god/goddess doesn't have to exist in a literal sense to be one anyway. The claim that they don't exist is counterproductive to (non-ideological) atheism because a) it is factually false and b) it is irrelevant anyway. The occidental concept of the Abrahamic God, which you profess the non-existence of (an antiscientific excursion in the first place since science doesn't prove anything and can't test the supernatural) has had a tremendous effect on many cultures in spite of the fact that it may not, and certainly doesn't exist in your own estimation. It doesn't matter if it exists or not.

@PathwayMachine Ignorance and superstition have definitely influenced human history, unfortunately. As to the rest of what you say, it's pretty meaningless.

@ChipmunkErnie It's ironic that you mention ignorance and superstition in the past tense.

@PathwayMachine I was speaking historically, but, yes, ignorance and superstition are still VERY much with us an an active influence around the world.