Atheism

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 Prophecies of Kalistrade or diabolism, or nothing in particular. Some scholars argue that the term "atheist" is incorrectly applied to these people, preferring terms such as "dystheists" or "misotheists." Other call themselves "agnostics," insisting that no mortal can say what is divine and what isn't, as the workings of the divine are fundamentally unknowable by mortals. However, such distinctions are lost on a generally religious society, and most accept the more common term. Atheism is looked down upon in many parts of Golarion, but is enforced on a state level in the nations of Rahadoum in Garund, Touvette in the River Kingdoms, and Bachuan in Tian Xia. Despite their lack of faith, atheists' souls are still judged by Pharasma. Their posthumous fate varies: some are sent to planes best matching their individual alignments and philosophies, while others become bodiless spirits in the Astral Plane, are reincarnated, or find their fate in the Graveyard of Souls.