Principles

Atheism UK’s Key Principles

The following key Principles inform our policies and decisions.

Humans have fabricated religion

• Religious texts are flawed and as fallible as the humans who wrote them. They must be criticized, challenged and, where appropriate, satirized or denounced.
• Religious organizations and communities must not receive privileges and immunities, such as tax benefits and protection from criticism or satire, which are denied to the non-religious population.
• Religious beliefs do not exist in isolation but are propagated from one person to another.

God or gods do not exist

• Concepts of gods are myths created by humans.
• There are not two separate realms (the natural and the supernatural), but one (the natural).

Morality develops independently of religion

• There is no divine moral authority.
• Although atheism is not in itself a source of morality, it frees morality from corruption by religion.
• The religious inculcation and indoctrination of children corrupts their morality. Children are not born with any religious beliefs or affiliations; these are imposed.

Religion inhibits rational thought

• Religion is based upon irrationality, superstition and unsubstantiated beliefs.
• Religion encourages and perpetuates prejudice, ignorance and intolerance.
• Religion inhibits critical thinking, discourages scientific enquiry and restricts human progress.