Atheism

Atheism (from Faiths and Philosophies)

On Golarion, “atheism” usually denotes the belief that those beings commonly called “gods” are not worthy of the authority and reverence bestowed upon them by others. Atheists rarely doubt the existence of deities and generally acknowledge that deities are very powerful beings, but deem them no more than that. Instead of gods, they tend to revere ideals such as goodness or freedom, philosophies such as the Prophies of Kalistrde or Kalistrade or diabolism, or nothing in particular. Though some scholars argue that the term “atheist” is incorrectly applied to these people—preferring terms such as “dystheists” or “misotheists”—such distinctions are lost on a generally religious society, and most accept the more common term.

Laws of Man (from Faiths and Philosophies)

The Laws of Man came out of a rejection of all things godly in the nation of Rahadoum, as part of a successful effort to put an end to the religious strife that was tearing the country apart during the Oath Wars. AS a belief system, the Laws of Man are linked to Rahadoumi culture; the philosophy has little following outside of that nation, but is the law of the land within its territory. Under the Laws of Man, all demonstrations of faith, in a deity are banned within Rahadoum under the princi0ple that divine aid comes at too high a price—a seductive form of indentured servitude that extend even after divorced from a deific patron, aren’t banded, though their practitioners are often suspected of secret religious leanings. The philosophy’s tenets also move the government to provide its citizens some of the best education in the Inner Sea region, so that they can better make decisions regarding their own destinies.

Followers of the Laws of Man are known for having a dark but honest sense of humor that demonstrates a keen awareness of their own mortal limitations and the need to rely on each other. Though theists often portray Rahadoum’s Pure Legion as brutal witch hunters, most Rahadoumis are not bloodthirsty—thy simply do what’s necessary to protect their way of life, exiling those they see as fundamentalists devoted to undermining and enslaving their secular nation.

The active prohibition against religion forces Rahadoum to call upon secular healers to pick up the slack. Bards are in high demand, as their supportive and healing magic shines without divine magic to steal its thunder. Alchemists are also well-regarded, and serve among the nation’s principal healers.

Other Atheists (from Faiths and Philosophies)

Not all atheists follow the Laws of Man. In the River Kingdom of Touvette and in the Tian nation of Bachuan, the priests have also been cast out but the blessings of benevolent gods have been cast out, but the blessings of benevolent gods have been replaced by collectivist beliefs and systems designed to maximize the common good. Although as human institutions, they have significant flaws (both nations are gripped by unquestionably authoritarian leaders), these places have managed to eliminate most religious strife and divinely inspired manipulation of the populace, albeit at the cost of persecuting their religious citizens or forcing them underground. Many Prophets of Kalistrade have no interest in deities, but unlike the institutional atheism of the Laws of Man, they don’t actively quash the religion of others.

Individualistic atheists who reject the gods without the support of a government tend to have trouble getting by, since they lack a strong social institution to help them without divine aid—though some are perfectly willing to receive divine magical aid so long as they don’t have to be the ones worshiping the gods. Some gods encourage their clerics to withhold their aid from atheists, but most don’t, perhaps hoping to win over souls though indirect missionary work. Atheists outside areas of atheist majority are widely distrusted and persecuted by religious folk who fear and misunderstand them, or who are unable (or unwilling) to make the distinction between refusing to tie yourself to a god and denying the gods’ very existence.

Atheism attracts self-reliant loners, such as witches and some rogues. It also appeals to those who, like many wizards and sorcerers, view the divine power to control reality as something that can be learned or developed with effort rather than prayer.