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From Celebrity Atheist List

May 9, 2013

Jared Diamond, author of Guns, Germs and Steel. "religious supernatural beliefs are irrational, but emotionally plausible and satisfying. That’s why they’re so believable, despite at the same time being rationally implausible." source: http://www.salon.com/2013/01/13/jared_diamond_its_irrational_to_be_religious/

May 5, 2013

Vivian Campbell: Guitarist

http://blog.musicinsidermagazine.com/2012/11/vivian-campbell/ As bombs burst in Belfast nine miles away, an angry adolescent raged against the system. An atheist during the Catholic-Protestant separatist uprising, Vivian Campbell was trying to find his song. Armed with heavy-metal guitar defiance and lyrics of nonconformity that still hold true today

Facebook Post https://www.facebook.com/officialviviancampbell/posts/649838585041856

Frankly (and I know I've said this before), some of you just don't deserve me. You know who you are: When you have a picture of Jesus as your Facebook avatar, for example, that's a big clue that you shouldn't be following my page.

I've had enough of ignorance, and in my 50 years of life I've endured more than enough stupidity. I can't tolerate any more. I ask those of you who take offence at my tone to please just go away. There are plenty of other minor celebrities out there who would love to have you, I'm sure.

May 4 2013

According to this article, Edgar Rice Burroughs (creator of Tarzan) called himself an atheist when speaking privately to his sons, and was outspokenly irreverent in general. He belongs at least on the 'Ambiguous' page: http://www.hillmanweb.com/reason/1434.html

February 27 2013

Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård states on his imdb page: "I'm not religious or anything, but to me it's great fun and it's nice to have a lot of kids. They take care of each other." His son Alexander Skarsgård said in an interview that both of his parents are atheists. Youtube video of his interview with subtitles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Kms6pUKfdg

Mila Kunis stated in an interview with esquire that she in not a practicing Jew.(http://www.esquire.com/women/women-we-love/mila-kunis-video) warning slightly NSFW video might play in this link but it's the only version of the interview I could find.

Peter DeLuise, writer and director on Stargate: SG-1, may be an atheist. In December 2012 he tweeted Richard Dawkins (http://twitter.com/RealPDeLuise/status/282919114299813889/photo/1), saying "Sing it, Richard!" with a picture supporting atheism. Also, Stargate was known for criticizing organized religion and promoting freethinking.

February 3, 2013

Jello Biafra isn't on the site, but he needs to be. He is extremely outspoken against religion and at least qualifies under Ambiguous, but more than likely would turn out to be an atheist, with a little bit of research. - Jorge Regula
January 31st, 2013

Perhaps Walt Disney was an atheist. In this talk, A.C. Grayling mentions how Daniel Dennett just mentioned that Walt Disney was an atheist. Let's look into this! (at ~7:30) [1] (Jorge Regula: a cursory look into his life doesn't seem to reveal any atheism. However, if others have a quote which would prove otherwise, please post it! - Jorge Regula)

November 18th 2012

It looks as though Carl Froch, current IBF Super-Middleweight boxing champion, may well be an atheist. An entry in his Twitter feed (in reply to an atheist fan) would seem Froch equates belief in God with that of belief in Santa:

https://twitter.com/Carl_Froch/status/257617852759154689

October 17, 2012 - Niccolo Paganini wasn't an atheist, but should be looked into. He almost certainly would fit in with the ambiguous category. I haven't researched any of this, but I just have a general sense that he embraced all the rumors about him supposedly having sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his prodigious violin skills and he was dug up from Christian cemetery because they considered him so morally foul. I'll look into it when I get the chance. This is just a reminder. (Jorge Regula) -- October 4, 2012 - John Cleese's views need to be looked into. It's very evident from this video that he is staunchly against Christianity...or at least most forms of it. I'll bet he at least qualifies in the Ambiguous category. I'll look into this later. [2] (Jorge Regula) -- October 2nd, 2012 Heri Joensen Singer and songwriter of the folk/viking metal band TÝR from the Faroe Islands.
Source: Video interview "Living as an Atheist" on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i70Qzqw7-0w&feature=plcp

Conor Oberst (added as an agnostic. Thanks for the great find! - Jorge Regula)

George R. R. Martin (Great find! Never would have caught this one myself. Just wrote up an entry for him. Thanks! - Jorge Regula)

Note: Update Vincent Van Gogh's article. Simply labeling him an atheist appears to be somewhat inaccurate. He may have been an atheist in his later years, but he seems to have been fervently religious for most of his life. I think it's at least worth acknowledging this in his entry to clarify the atheist labeling to people who are only acquainted with his religious side. - Jorge Regula

An additional quote for David Attenborough's article. I'll add it when I get the chance. - Jorge Regula [3]

March 1 2012 Ana Kasparian (added 3/18/12. Thanks for the great contribution! - Jorge Regula)
Andy Serkis (added 3/18/12. Interesting find! - Jorge Regula)
Emily Mortimer (added 3/18/12. Great find! Thanks for your contribution. - Jorge Regula)
Bo Burnham (added 3/18/12. Great find. Added to ambiguous. Let's keep our ears open to see if he explicitly states he's an atheist...which he certainly might be. Thanks! - Jorge Regula)
Rob Reiner (added 3/18/12. What a find! - Jorge Regula)
Julia Gillard (added. High profile add!)
Jim Jeffries (added 3/18/12. Glad to add him. Thank you! - Jorge Regula)
John Landis (added 3/18/12. Big name!!! Thanks for the good citations. - Jorge Regula)
Fred Armisen (added 3/26/12) - Brian Sapient

October 22nd, 2011 - I've added comedian and actor Michael Ian Black to the atheist list providing ample citations in favor of this conclusion.

October 6th, 2011 George Eliot (aka Mary Ann Evans) one of the most influential female writers of all time. http://www.jstor.org/pss/2871945 and quote: “God, Immortality, Duty … how inconceivable the first, how unbelievable the second, and yet how peremptory and absolute the third.”

September 21st 2011 Not an addition but I noticed that Bree Olson is in the "H" section. (Thanks for bringing this to our attention. It was indeed filed under Nina Hartley. Just fixed the problem. - Jorge Regula)

September 2, 2011 Thandie Newton (Added! Thanks for the great find and great citations!!! - Jorge Regula)

11th August 2011

Don't have quotes but apparently the following are atheists: Gene Kelly, Stanley Donen, Charles Laughton, Ridley Scott, and Michael Pitt. (Thanks for your contributions! Added Gene Kelly [agnostic], Stanley Donen [atheist], Ridley Scott [agnostic], and Michael Pitt [atheist]. Laughton may be an atheist, but I couldn't find the quote from his wife's biography which supposedly says so - Jorge Regula)

9th June 2011

Kari Byron (Added. Thanks for your great find....and for the citations! - Jorge Regula)

April 24, 2011
Stanley Kubrick (Added 6/1/11. Thanks for the great find! - Jorge Regula)
April 21, 2011
George Nakhnikian -- Professor Emeritus Philosophy, Indiana University. Doubful there are more than a few contemporary atheists more significant. [4] (Thanks for the contribution! Upon reviewing this submission, I've decided not to post an article for Nakhnikian. While "famous" is very subjective, I would say a general criteria for entries on the Celebrity Atheist List is that they should be famous enough to have their own Wikipedia article. While he may be an outstanding scholar, my personal opinion is that he is not famous enough for inclusion here. Again, thanks for your contribution. Please don't let this deter you from contributing in the future. We really appreciate the help! - Jorge Regula)

April 9,2011
Pier Paolo Pasolini (Added 6/1/11. Thanks for the great contribution! - Jorge Regula)

E.M. Forster (Added 6/1/11. Thanks for the good find! - Jorge Regula)

April 6, 2011
Tony Fitzpatrick (Added 6/1/11. Good eyes. Thx for posting! - Jorge Regula)

March 13, 2011
Dead Prez - In the song "Propaganda' by hip-hop duo Dead Prez, they rap, "Man made God outta ignorance and fear/If God made man then why the hell would he put us here?/I thought he's supposed to be all loving/The same God who let Hitler put Jews in the oven." I'm not all that familiar with the group, so I don't know which member to attribute this verse to. I'm trying to find out, but if anyone knows, please post it. [5]
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Oscar Niemeyer's atheist citation should cite the source where he says he's an atheist: the documentary 'Urbanized', where he notes that it's strange that he's built so many churches, yet is an atheist. This is just a note to myself. I'll add the direct quote later. (Jorge Regula)

added Chelsea Handler in hopes sources for quotes come.

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March 13, 2011
Supposedly George C. Scott said that he did not believe in a God at all during a 60 Minutes interview, shortly before his 1999 death. If anybody has information on this and can get an exact quote, please do!
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March 13, 2011
Jim Cornette, professional wrestling personality, stated in a recent YouShoot interview that "I don't believe in the supernatural, I don't believe in a supreme being, an invisible man in the sky". He follows that up with the Imagine no religion quote. More directly, comparing himself to fellow personality Vince Russo. "We couldn’t be more opposite. He’s a Yankee and I’m a southerner. He’s born-again and I’m an atheist." http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/2010/01/14/jim-cornette-fired-back-at-hulk-hogan/
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March 13, 2011
Mike Burkett, aka Fat Mike Lead singer and bassist for NOFX Bassist for Me First and the Gimme Gimmes

I couldn't find quotes outside of his music lyrics, such as these from "Happy Guy" "how could he Turn his back on on reason worshiping A God finding truth through fear and mind control" "Turned his back on free will - has he lost his mind? He'd rather kneel down than take charge of his life" "His hopes may be false but his happiness is real"
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March 13, 2011
Robert Llewellyn

He is best known as the actor who plays Kryten on the tv show Red Dwarf and the co-host of the UK's "Scrapheap Challenge".

At the end of the program "who's got god's millions?", which was broadcast (as a repeat) on the UK's Channel 5 on 29th December 2008, Robert referred to himself "as an atheist".
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March 13, 2011
Robson Green, British TV actor declares he is an atheist here:

http://www.smh.com.au/news/tv--radio/stranger-in-a-strange-land/2007/09/15/1189277038312.html?s_cid=rss_entertainment
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March 13, 2011
Cristina Scabbia

“‘Karmacode’ is about spirituality. But we’re not dictated by any religion. It’s so abused for wars and disagreements that it’s like it’s lost all meaning. Religions are basically rules of life. Don’t steal, don’t kill… but people seem to be too concerned with adoring their god and they forget to treat other people the same way. That’s a paradox. Italy isn’t some crazed religious country. People assume that it is because all they see in the Vatican and the Pope. I was raised as a Catholic but over the years I realized you don’t really need a church to feel the presence of something bigger than us. I don’t follow the mechanical things that make you a Catholic but at the same time I think I’m better than some of them.”

http://www.wrycraft.net/images/forum/20060412kerrang1.jpg
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March 13, 2011

9-17-12 added: Jacob Applebaum
Alan Ball
Wil Wheaton
Steve Jobs
Clint Eastwood

9-28-12 Conor Oberst
George R. R. Martin

9-29-12 Fareed Zakaria
Ice-T

November 22nd Could someone add David Draiman from the band Disturbed? (I Googled him, but couldn't find any quotes. If anyone has proof that Draiman is an atheist, your contribution would be greatly appreciated. - Jorge Regula)

And Ted Turner has stated in interviews that he is no longer Athiest or Agnostic, so he should be removed. http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/BibleStudyAndTheology/perspectives/Carey_Ted_Turner.aspx (Thanks for the contribution! I read through the article and have decided not to remove him from the directory. It's definitely possible that he has turned away from atheism/agnosticism, but this article didn't convince me. They state that he said he was no longer an atheist or an agnostic, but they don't cite a quote where they said that. Instead, they cite other quotes where he expresses opinions about religion. It appears most likely that they are reading too far into those quotes and mistaking a lack of hostility towards religion as an abandonment of his previous views. If you or anyone else has a direct quote from Turner where he states that he is no longer an atheist or agnostic, I will happily remove him. Again, thanks for posting. - Jorge Regula)

Maynard James Keenan

Christer Fuglesang

Arne Christer Fuglesang (born March 18, 1957) is a Swedish scientist and an ESA astronaut. He was launched aboard the STS-116 Shuttle mission on 10 December 2006, at 01:47 GMT, making him the first Swede and the first Nordic citizen in space.

Was interviewed by Swedish newspaper DN in 10/12 2006. When the reporter told him a story about another astronaut in the Space station having a religious experience he was cut off by Christer, because Christer wanted to confirm to the reporter that he was an Atheist.

The article is unfortunately in Swedish only: http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2597&a=593360

Late August 2007

Well chuff me, it turns out that Mother Teresa was an atheist! Even the catholic church isn't denying it. Quotes and citations are forthcoming from the old hag as and when the press (and vatican) release them.

See here for initial details:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20497111/site/newsweek/

Katsuni - Adult Film Star --- She states on her Myspace that she Is an Atheist http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=77424151

Tim Kasher and Ted Stevens (the creative forces behind the rock band Cursive) describe themselves in a recent "Omaha Reader" article (http://www.timmcmahan.com/cursive4.htm) as an atheist and an agnostic, respectively. In addition, Conor Oberst (lead singer of Bright Eyes)'s University of Nebraska transcript identifies him as agnostic, presumably from a self-entered response on the ACT.

From PZ Myers's blog article on Susan Jacoby, this uncredited list of female nonbelievers:

Susan B. Anthony
Margaret Atwood
Simone de Beauvoir
Bj�rk
Susan Blackmore
Susie Bright
Elizabeth Cady-Stanton
Patricia Churchland
Marie Curie
Ani DiFranco
Phyllis Diller
Barbara Ehrenreich
Oriana Fallaci
Jodie Foster
Janeane Garofalo
Nadine Gordimer
Germaine Greer
Angelina Jolie
Katharine Hepburn
Molly Ivins
Diane Keaton
Helen Keller
Margot Kidder
Florence King
Ursula K. LeGuin
Julianne Moore
Madalyn Murray O'Hair
Camille Paglia
Katha Pollitt
Paula Poundstone
Robin Quivers
Ayn Rand
Lisa Randall
Arundhati Roy
Margaret Sanger
Eugenie Scott
Gloria Steinem
Julia Sweeney
Virginia Woolf

This looks to be drawn from an earlier version of the CAL. LeGuin, for example, was removed a while back. --ReedEsau 17:24, 1 January 2007 (PST)

Mitchell Stephens is working on a book, "Without Gods: Toward a History of Disbelief", and his Cast of Characters may also be useful as a starting point.

Carvaka the Raxasa (founder of the Charvakas of India)
Diagoras of Melos
Protagoras of Abdera
Democritus
Carneades of Cyrene
Cicero
Elisha ben Abuyah
Abu Nuwas
Abu Bakr al-Razi
Averroes
Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Aikenhead
Jean Meslier
Denis Diderot
Baron d�Holbach
Marquis de Sade
Jacques-Ren� H�bert
Pierre Simon Laplace
Thomas Paine
Percy Bysshe Shelley
Frances Wright
Harriet Martineau
John Stuart Mill
Ernestine Rose
Karl Marx
Charles Bradlaugh
Friedrich Nietzsche
Sigmund Freud
Bertrand Russell
Jean-Paul Sartre
Simone de Beauvoir
John Lennon
Jacques Derrida
Barbara Ehrenreich
Salman Rushdie

to which his commenters added

George Eliot
George Sand
Tariq Ali
Margaret Sanger
Aphra Behn
Lucretius
Ayn Rand
Christopher Marlowe
Madalyn Murray O'Hair
Vladimir Lenin
Joseph Stalin
Mao Zedong
Gary Gilmore
Jane Ellen Harrison
Virginia Woolf
Diotima
Epicurus
Ernest Becker

Jennifer Michael Hecht's book Doubt: A History may contain some more names.

I have discovered A Biographical Dictionary of Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Freethinkers by Joseph McCabe (1920)

It could be a useful resource in doing research, but it ought to be treated with caution; that list contains several deists, pantheists, and nominal believers.

Brannon Braga; Producer, Writer and Actor from Star Trek fame wrote this article: http://www.sidmennt.is/archives/2006/16/08/every_religion_has_a_mythology.php

Bill Gates

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1282/is_2_51/ai_53662235/pg_2

When biographers Stephen Manes and Paul Andrews asked him about his faith for their 1993 book, Gates, the Congregationalist-raised billionaire displayed an astonishing nonchalance about religion: "Oh, I guess agnostic, atheist: I must be one of those things."

Charles Clarke UK govt home secretary , just been sacked, big name in the labour party, quote staing his non-belief: From the Daily Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/03/22/nedu22.xml&sSheet=/news/2006/03/22/ixhome.html "

Clarke opposes creation teaching By Jonathan Petre, Religion Correspondent (Filed: 22/03/2006)

Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, stepped into the controversy over creationism yesterday by declaring that he was "totally opposed" to the concept.

Mr Clarke, who said that he did not believe in God, insisted that science was the basis for progress and praised Charles Darwin as one of the greatest scientists in history."

PATRICIA HIGHSMITH (1921-1995), Texas-born expatriate, author of such modernistic novels like Strangers on a Train and The Talented Mr. Ripley, and memorable short-story collections, Little Tales of Misogyny, The Black House and The Animal Lover's Book of Beastly Murder. More popular in Europe than in the United States, she eventually won praises by literary maestros like Graham Greene and Gore Vidal.

According to her biography, A Beautiful Shadow by Andrew Wilson, Patricia Highsmith had no faith in the after-life and loathed any form of organized religion. A good number of her stories and novels confirm such worldview.

In London, on 18 June 1988 she appeared in Channel 4's After Dark, a live and informal late-night show starting at 11.30 p.m. along with few other notable individuals to debate the question of how to survive a murder, including James Nelson, a minister in the Church of Scotland who had served nine years for the murder of his mother in 1969.

Central to the debate was also the question of absolution � was it possible to forgive the murderer? Highsmith's atheistic attitude stood in stark contrast to the strong Christianity of the Reverend James Nelson, who took the attitude that, ultimately, only God could forgive. "I'm not in such good touch with God as you", she said spikily. "When you say to me, 'It's only God [who can forgive],' how do I know God is going to even tell me?"

Fred Hoyle

Atheist Astronomer/Sci-fi writer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Hoyle

Fred Hoyle was an atheist at one time. But he reject the big bang, evolution, and abiogenesis; He wrote a few famous creationist arguments, and eventually declared his own belief that life had been spontaneously created and that the universe was guided according to the deliberate intent of an intelligent creator. Such a person cannot be listed posthumously as atheist.

Also, Vic Reeves was interviewed for Radio 4's Desert Island Discs. At the end he showed extreme displeasure at being allowed to take a copy of the bible 'You know where you can stick that' or some such, although I can't find any specific references. <math>Insert formula here</math> Media:Example.ogg

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