Were there any atheists in ancient Greece?

Yes. Greek atheists or at least philosophers who challenged the concept of gods interfering with mortals’ lives were quite common. To begin with, “religious orientation” didn’t exist in ancient Greece the way it does today.

Do you have to swear on the Bible in Australia?

Section 72A Jury Act 1977 provides a prescribed manner for a juror’s oath and affirmation. Subsection 72A(5) provides that if an oath is taken in the prescribed manner it is not necessary for a religious text (normally a bible) to be used.

Do atheists face death penalty in 13 countries?

Atheists living openly in 13 countries risk the death penalty, according to a new, comprehensive report from the International Humanist and Ethical Union out on Tuesday This article is from the archive of our partner .

What was the crime of atheism in ancient Greece?

Classical Greece and Rome. Historically, any person who did not believe in any deity supported by the state was fair game to accusations of atheism, a capital crime. For political reasons, Socrates in Athens (399 BCE) was accused of being atheos (“refusing to acknowledge the gods recognized by the state”).

Which countries have the death penalty for apostasy?

The countries that impose these penalties are Afghanistan, Iran, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. With the exception of Pakistan, those countries all allow for capital punishment against apostasy, i.e., the renunciation of a particular religion.

Is there discrimination against atheists in Western countries?

Western countries. As a result, open legal discrimination against atheists is not common in most Western countries. However, prejudice against atheists does exist in Western countries. A University of British Columbia study conducted in the United States found that believers distrusted atheists as much they did rapists.