Terms | Privacy | Copyright | FAQ
©2005-2018 TheTopTens® All rights reserved.
Top Ten Atheists
The Top Ten
1 Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche was a German philosopher, cultural critic, poet, and Latin and Greek scholar whose work has exerted a profound influence on Western philosophy and modern intellectual history.
Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche was a German philosopher, cultural critic, poet, and Latin and Greek scholar whose work has exerted a profound influence on Western philosophy and modern intellectual history. His thoughts are deep and he is very radical
Greatest mind of all time
Actually Iam also an ATHEIST
I hope you can learn to know Christ the God soon, I would be lost without. - MovieFan007
2 Richard Dawkins
Clinton Richard Dawkins is an English ethologist, evolutionary biologist and author. He is known for his books The Selfish Gene, The Extended Phenotype and The God Delusion. He is also known for coining the word "meme" in 1976 in which the word is most commonly used to described internet memes of today. ...read more.
Clinton Richard Dawkins is an English ethologist, evolutionary biologist and author. He is known for his books The Selfish Gene, The Extended Phenotype and The God Delusion. He is also known for coining the word "meme" in 1976 in which the word is most commonly used to described internet memes of today. ...read more. One just has to admire his patience when he is arguing with all those stupid believers. Pretty much everyone else would just give up.
Richard dawkins is such an embarrassment for atheists. He is such a jerk and always so rude. He understands nothing about religion or its followers. Same with hitchens. Please atheists. if you want sanity, try Neil Degrasse Tyson or Stephen Hawking. Stop flocking to these rude morons who speak on topics they have zero authority on. He contributes to the divide between religion and atheism and because of people like him, our progress towards world peace is being hindered. - GrimmShady
No you don't. I wasn't attacking his opinions, I was attacking his character and how it contributes to an ever growing hatred between religious and non-religious folks. I've noticed that you've been attacking people on this site for using logical fallacies. Its funny because I have witnessed you use several different fallacies in your own argumentation. - GrimmShady
I am glad this guy is 1! Great guy. - gemcloben
"...stupid believers..."
Do you, as do Dawkins and Hawking, believe that SOMETHING can come from NOTHING?
Do you reject the Aristotlean principle of first cause?
If so, it's clear who the "stupid believer" is.
3 Christopher Hitchens
I'm actually a very religious person, but I respect Christopher Hitchens. While I disagree with him, he is an incredible orator. He's quick, witty, funny, and just plain likable. And his arguments tend to be a little more creative. A teenage YouTube atheist could fill in Dawkins's shoes in a debate and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference because he has nothing interesting to say.
His political views might have been terrible but his way of representing atheists is something that millions of us will always love him for. Thank you Hitchens you are always missed.
I'm a huge fan of Dawkins but Hitchens was a way better debater.
Although I love Dawkins and his clear, concise arguments put religious people in their place, no-one can be as funny, charismatic and true as Hitchens. His Hitchslaps are relevant and funny,RIP Hitch!
4 Stephen Hawking
Stephen William Hawking (January 8, 1942 - March 13, 2018) was an English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, author and Director of Research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology within the University of Cambridge.
Stephen William Hawking (January 8, 1942 - March 13, 2018) was an English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, author and Director of Research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology within the University of Cambridge. I read somewhere that he was an inspiration to so many atheists. Great job and RIP Stephen Hawking. He was such a great scientist and we need more minds like him. - PhoenixAura81
He recently stated publicly that he is indeed an atheist.
Greatest mind of the century.
RIP Stephen Hawking - ARandomPerson
V 2 Comments
5 George Carlin
Best person to ever live
6 Carl Sagan
Carl Edward Sagan was an American astronomer, cosmologist, astrophysicist, astrobiologist, author, science popularizer, and science communicator in astronomy and other natural sciences.
Carl Edward Sagan was an American astronomer, cosmologist, astrophysicist, astrobiologist, author, science popularizer, and science communicator in astronomy and other natural sciences. In my opinion Carl is the smartest person ever to live.
7 Epicurus
8 Joseph Stalin
Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin was a Georgian dictator, and was the leader of the Soviet Union from the mid-1920s until his death in 1953. Holding the post of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, he was effectively the dictator of the state.
Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin was a Georgian dictator, and was the leader of the Soviet Union from the mid-1920s until his death in 1953. Holding the post of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, he was effectively the dictator of the state. Mario rip-off
9 Jean Meslier
10 Sam Harris
The best rational debater, his backyard diamond analogy is fantastic.
I can watch him on YouTube for hours. - Fjunegull
The man is a genius.
He is rational.
Laconic as he is, he can run circles in any theist debate.
He should tie with Dawkins - Robobrain
The Contenders
11 Frank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa was an American musician, songwriter, composer, record producer, actor and filmmaker.
Frank Vincent Zappa was an American musician, songwriter, composer, record producer, actor and filmmaker.
12 Baron d’Holbach
13 Lawrence Krauss
Simply the most intelligent human being on this planet.
14 Ludwig Feuerbach
Along with Nietzsche, an ideological forefather to the nightmare of Naziism.
15 Pierre Laplace
16 Neil deGrasse Tyson
Neil deGrasse Tyson is an American astrophysicist, author, and science communicator. Since 1996, he has been the Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Space in New York City.
Neil deGrasse Tyson is an American astrophysicist, author, and science communicator. Since 1996, he has been the Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Space in New York City.
17 Daniel Dennett
18 Bertrand Russell
Bertrand Arthur William Russell, 3rd Earl Russell, was a British philosopher, logician, mathematician, historian, writer, social critic, political activist, and Nobel laureate.
Bertrand Arthur William Russell, 3rd Earl Russell, was a British philosopher, logician, mathematician, historian, writer, social critic, political activist, and Nobel laureate. He should be higher, at least in the top ten - Ankon
19 Bill Maher
William "Bill" Maher is an American comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, media critic, and television host.
William "Bill" Maher is an American comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, media critic, and television host. I don't agree with some of his political views, but he is pretty funny and smart - ryanrimmel
20 Bill Nye
William Sanford "Bill" Nye, popularly known as Bill Nye the Science Guy, is an American science educator, television presenter, and mechanical engineer.
William Sanford "Bill" Nye, popularly known as Bill Nye the Science Guy, is an American science educator, television presenter, and mechanical engineer. As a knowledgeable scientist, he can shut up any creationist in 5 minutes (Ken Ham) - ryanrimmel
This guy had (won) a debate with Ken Ham
Bill Nye is pretty awesome. - PhoenixAura81
21 Johann Goethe
Goethe was not an atheist.
He rebelled against organized religion, dabbled in pantheism, but at heart remained a Christian, albeit an unorthodox one.
22 Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. Lincoln led the United States its bloodiest war and its greatest moral, constitutional, and political crisis.
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. Lincoln led the United States its bloodiest war and its greatest moral, constitutional, and political crisis.
23 Ayaan Hirsi Ali
24 Charles Darwin
Charles Robert Darwin was an English naturalist and geologist, best known for his contributions to evolutionary theory.
Charles Robert Darwin was an English naturalist and geologist, best known for his contributions to evolutionary theory. He sure as hell was not a Christian either. Charles Darwin was an amazing man. He knew what he was talking about. And his theory of evolution is extremely useful. Makes more sense. The Book of Mormon can burn in a fire. Charles Darwin's origins of species is actual scientific evidence.
Darwin wasn't an atheist, just saying. - Therandom
I think I read somewhere that he was agnostic. - PhoenixAura81
Darwin was not an atheist.
He attributed the initiation of evolution to a Creator.
The attribution was correct.
The theory was demonstrably wrong.
25 Ludwig Buchner
26 John Lennon
John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE was an English singer and songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as a co-founder of the Beatles, the most commercially successful band in the history of popular music. He was assassinated by Mark David Chapman on December 8, 1980 at age 40.
John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE was an English singer and songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as a co-founder of the Beatles, the most commercially successful band in the history of popular music. He was assassinated by Mark David Chapman on December 8, 1980 at age 40.
27 Penn & Teller
28 Stephen Fry
Stephen John Fry is an English comedian, actor, writer, presenter and activist. After a troubled childhood and adolescence, during which he was expelled from two schools and spent three months in prison for credit card fraud, Fry secured a place at Queens' College, Cambridge, where he studied English ...read more.
Stephen John Fry is an English comedian, actor, writer, presenter and activist. After a troubled childhood and adolescence, during which he was expelled from two schools and spent three months in prison for credit card fraud, Fry secured a place at Queens' College, Cambridge, where he studied English ...read more. I saw an interview with him. He really isn't afraid to state his opinion. I respect him. - IronSabbathPriest
29 Avicenna
30 Matt Dillahunty
One of the best debators on the list. Should be top 10!
31 Steven Pinker
32 Ernesto Che Guevara
33 Franz Kafka
Franz Kafka was a German-language writer of novels and short stories who is widely regarded as one of the major figures of 20th-century literature.
Franz Kafka was a German-language writer of novels and short stories who is widely regarded as one of the major figures of 20th-century literature.
34 Tim Minchin
35 Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel Jacob Radcliffe is an English actor who rose to prominence as the title character in the Harry Potter film series.
Daniel Jacob Radcliffe is an English actor who rose to prominence as the title character in the Harry Potter film series. I read that he was raised Jewish and then claims to be atheist. Yeah, we'd get along pretty well. Considering I was raised religiously (Catholic) and then identified as atheist later. - PhoenixAura81
That's right people. Harry Potter himself has claimed to be an atheist.
36 Alan Turing
Alan Mathison Turing was a pioneering English computer scientist, mathematician, logician, cryptanalyst and theoretical biologist. V 1 Comment
Alan Mathison Turing was a pioneering English computer scientist, mathematician, logician, cryptanalyst and theoretical biologist. V 1 Comment
37 Seth Andrews
38 George Orwell
Eric Arthur Blair (25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950), who used the pen name George Orwell, was an English novelist, essayist, journalist and critic. His work is marked by lucid prose, awareness of social injustice, opposition to totalitarianism, and outspoken support of democratic socialism.
Eric Arthur Blair (25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950), who used the pen name George Orwell, was an English novelist, essayist, journalist and critic. His work is marked by lucid prose, awareness of social injustice, opposition to totalitarianism, and outspoken support of democratic socialism.
39 Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov, born Isaak Ozimov (c. January 2, 1920 – April 6, 1992) was an American author and professor of biochemistry at Boston University. He was known for his works of science fiction and popular science.
Isaac Asimov, born Isaak Ozimov (c. January 2, 1920 – April 6, 1992) was an American author and professor of biochemistry at Boston University. He was known for his works of science fiction and popular science.
40 Kim Deal
Kimberley Ann "Kim" Deal is an American singer, songwriter and musician, best known as the former bassist and backup vocalist of the alternative rock band The Pixies, and the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for The Breeders.
Kimberley Ann "Kim" Deal is an American singer, songwriter and musician, best known as the former bassist and backup vocalist of the alternative rock band The Pixies, and the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for The Breeders.
41 Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong, also transliterated as Mao Tse-tung and commonly referred to as Chairman Mao, was a Chinese communist revolutionary and founding father of the People's Republic of China, which he governed as Chairman of the Communist Party of China from its establishment in 1949, until his death in 1976. ...read more.
Mao Zedong, also transliterated as Mao Tse-tung and commonly referred to as Chairman Mao, was a Chinese communist revolutionary and founding father of the People's Republic of China, which he governed as Chairman of the Communist Party of China from its establishment in 1949, until his death in 1976. ...read more.
42 Ricky Gervais
Ricky Dene Gervais is an English comedian, actor, director, producer, writer and former singer and manager.
Ricky Dene Gervais is an English comedian, actor, director, producer, writer and former singer and manager.
43 Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie is an American actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian. She has received an Academy Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards. She has also been cited as Hollywood's highest-paid actress. ...read more.
Angelina Jolie is an American actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian. She has received an Academy Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards. She has also been cited as Hollywood's highest-paid actress. ...read more.
44 Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee was a Hong Kong American martial artist, action film actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, filmmaker, and the founder of Jeet Kune Do.
Bruce Lee was a Hong Kong American martial artist, action film actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, filmmaker, and the founder of Jeet Kune Do.
45 Jim Jefferies
Geoffrey James Nugent, known professionally as Jim Jefferies, is an Australian stand-up comedian, actor, and writer.
Geoffrey James Nugent, known professionally as Jim Jefferies, is an Australian stand-up comedian, actor, and writer.
46 Jodie Foster
Alicia Christian "Jodie" Foster is an American actress, director and producer who has worked in films and on television. She has often been cited as one of the best actresses of her generation.
Alicia Christian "Jodie" Foster is an American actress, director and producer who has worked in films and on television. She has often been cited as one of the best actresses of her generation.
47 Ian McKellen
Sir Ian Murray McKellen, CH, CBE is an English actor. He is the recipient of six Laurence Olivier Awards, a Tony Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a BIF Award, two Saturn Awards, four Drama Desk Awards and two Critics' Choice Awards.
Sir Ian Murray McKellen, CH, CBE is an English actor. He is the recipient of six Laurence Olivier Awards, a Tony Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a BIF Award, two Saturn Awards, four Drama Desk Awards and two Critics' Choice Awards.
48 Barack Obama, Sr.
49 Julianne Moore
50 Andre Breton
André Breton (19 February 1896 – 28 September 1966) was a French writer, poet, anarchist and anti-fascist. He is best known as one of the founders of Surrealism in literature and art. His writings include the first Surrealist Manifesto (Manifeste du surréalisme) of 1924, in which he defined surrealism ...read more.
André Breton (19 February 1896 – 28 September 1966) was a French writer, poet, anarchist and anti-fascist. He is best known as one of the founders of Surrealism in literature and art. His writings include the first Surrealist Manifesto (Manifeste du surréalisme) of 1924, in which he defined surrealism ...read more.PSearch List
Featured
Popular
Latest
Related Lists
Top 10 Atheist Stereotypes That Are Not True
Best Atheist Songs
Top 10 Things Atheists Are Tired of Hearing
Top Ten Musicians You Didn't Know Were Atheists
Greatest Songs on Atheist's Piece of Time
List Stats
500 votes
266 listings
7 years, 117 days old
266 listings
7 years, 117 days old
Top Remixes (5)
1. Abraham Lincoln2. Charles Darwin
3. Ernesto Che Guevara
shahinakbari
1. Jean Meslier
2. Friedrich Nietzsche
3. Epicurus
JohannGoethe
2. Friedrich Nietzsche
3. Epicurus
JohannGoethe
1. George Carlin
2. Friedrich Nietzsche
3. Stephen Hawking
BeatlesFan1964
2. Friedrich Nietzsche
3. Stephen Hawking
BeatlesFan1964
View All 5
Error Reporting
See a factual error in these listings? Report it here.