Atheism

Public Agenda

Atheism in the world of Dessend is not characterized by a lack of belief in the existence of deities, as the presence of gods is undeniable. Rather, atheists reject the notion that deities are worthy of worship, as they believe that it is the collective faith of believers that empowers the gods. While some atheists are content to simply ignore religion, others actively promote their beliefs and argue that people should stop devoting themselves to deities and instead focus on their own potential. By doing so, they believe that the gods will be forced to relinquish their divine powers and become mortal once again.

Divine Origins

This form of atheism emerged as a response to the actions and behaviors of the gods themselves. Initially, the gods bestowed favors upon their followers as a sign of their benevolence and power, leading the mortals to become dependent on divine assistance even for the most mundane tasks. However, over time, the gods began to withdraw their aid and force their followers to become more self-sufficient and independent.
This behavior by the gods was perceived by mortals as evidence that they were not worthy of the adoration and sacrifice that they offered to the gods. As a result, many began to reject worship altogether, viewing the gods as unworthy of their devotion. With each repeat of this cycle by newly ascended gods, more followers became disillusioned with the gods' power and benevolence, and atheism gained traction as a viable alternative.

Political Influence & Intrigue

On Dessend, atheists are generally treated by the wider population like any other individual who holds different religious beliefs. However, they often face opposition from organized religious groups who view their outright denial of the divinity of the gods as blasphemy. As a result, atheists frequently find themselves at odds with these groups.

Deities are nothing without worshipers. It is you who makes them what they are.

Type

Religious, Other

Demonym

Atheist