Non-existence of gods

What it is: In its strong formulation, atheism holds that there are no real gods.

How the position understands it: The conclusion is usually based on absence of convincing evidence, conceptual incoherences, problems of evil, critiques of revelation, or sufficiency of naturalistic explanations.

Argumentative basis and context: The formulation appears in philosophy of religion, materialism, and modern critique of belief.

Debates and variations: Not every atheist adopts this strong form; many prefer only absence of theistic belief.

Supportive

Baron d’Holbach, System of Nature

atheism,holbach,materialism,enlightenment

A modern work of materialism and explicit criticism of theism.

Reference: Paul-Henri Thiry d’Holbach, Système de la nature.
Content: The author formulates a materialist vision of the universe and a frontal attack on revealed religion.
Use in debate: It is a classic reference of strong philosophical atheism.

J. L. Mackie, The Miracle of Theism

atheism,mackie,theistic-arguments,philosophy-of-religion

A systematic philosophical criticism of the main theistic arguments.

Reference: J. L. Mackie, The Miracle of Theism.
Content: Mackie critically examines cosmological, moral, ontological arguments and religious experiences.
Use in debate: It is one of the most important analytic works of contemporary philosophical atheism.

Michael Martin, Atheism: A Philosophical Justification

atheism,michael-martin,analytic-philosophy,theism

A systematic defense of atheism in analytic philosophy.

Reference: Michael Martin, Atheism: A Philosophical Justification.
Content: The book presents detailed arguments against theism and in favor of a philosophically grounded atheistic position.
Use in debate: It is important for arguments about the nonexistence of gods and for philosophical criticism of theism.

Contrary

Psalm 14:1

bible,old-testament,doctrinal-debate,theism

A biblical verse traditionally used against the denial of God.

Reference: Psalm 14:1.
Content: The text associates the denial of God with folly in an Israelite devotional context.
Use in debate: It is one of the passages most frequently invoked in religious controversies against atheism.

Romans 1:20

bible,new-testament,theism,doctrinal-debate

A Christian text used to argue that God is knowable through creation.

Reference: Romans 1:20.
Content: The passage states that God's invisible attributes can be perceived through the things that have been made.
Use in debate: It is often used by theists against atheism and against claims of absence of evidence.