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Interesting question! According to WIKIPEDIA: The term atheism originated from the Greek ἄθεος (atheos), meaning "without gods", which was applied with a negative connotation to those thought to reject the gods worshiped by the larger society. With the spread of freethought, skeptical inquiry, and subsequent increase in criticism of religion, application of the term narrowed in scope. The first individuals to identify themselves as "atheist" appeared in the 18th century. Today, about 2.3% of the world's population describes itself as atheist, while a further 11.9% is described as nontheist.
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From the Greek. 'a', prefix meaning, without or no, and -'theos', god. It has been around a long time,...since classical times, at least. Socrates was condemned to death by the Athenian "powers that were" for "corrupting the minds of the youth" and accusations of "impiety", which basically meant 'atheism'. Socrates questioned the existence of the Greek Olympian deities. Socrates questioned everything...and taught his students to. (smile)
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