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55 - The Internet and the Social Media Revolution

from Part VIII - Emerging Atheisms in the Twenty-First Century

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 September 2021

Michael Ruse
Affiliation:
Florida State University
Stephen Bullivant
Affiliation:
St Mary's University, Twickenham, London
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Summary

The British journalist Andrew Brown once joked that a typical atheist organization consists of three men and the website. Although the joke exaggerates and oversimplifies the situation, it captures something real about atheism in the twenty-first century. Men are more likely to be atheists, and they are also more likely to be members of atheist organizations. Furthermore, such organizations typically have a small number of members, but their presence in the public sphere and significance for individuals tend to be notable. Moreover, the joke underlines the importance of the Internet for the existence and visibility of contemporary atheism.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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