Which of the following religions would be an example of atheism?
Christianity
Islam
Hinduism
Buddhism
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is Buddhism.
Atheism refers to the absence of belief in gods or deities. While many religions are based on the belief in one or more gods, some religions do not necessarily focus on deities. Buddhism is often considered a nontheistic religion, meaning that it does not center around the worship of gods. Instead, its teachings emphasize personal spiritual development, meditation, and the pursuit of enlightenment (nirvana).
Buddhism acknowledges the possibility of gods or divine beings, but they are not central to its beliefs or practices. In Buddhist philosophy, the ultimate goal is to transcend suffering through personal effort and understanding, rather than through the grace of a god. The Buddha himself is regarded not as a god but as an enlightened teacher who discovered the path to liberation from suffering.
In contrast, religions like Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism are theistic, meaning they involve the worship of one or more gods. Christianity believes in one God, Islam in Allah, and Hinduism in a variety of gods and deities.
Thus, Buddhism aligns more closely with atheistic principles because it does not require belief in a personal god for its followers to practice or achieve spiritual goals. However, some schools of Buddhism may recognize the existence of gods or spiritual beings but do not consider them essential for spiritual growth.