“Despite being written out of large parts of history, atheists thrived in the polytheistic societies of the ancient world – raising considerable doubts about whether humans really are ‘wired’ for religion – a new study suggests.”

“Whitmarsh stresses that his study is not designed to prove, or disprove, the truth of atheism itself. On the book’s first page, however, he adds: ‘I do, however, have a strong conviction – that has hardened in the course of researching and writing this book – that cultural and religious pluralism, and free debate, are indispensable to the good life.’”

Source: Disbelieve it or not, ancient history suggests that atheism is as natural to humans as religion | University of Cambridge