Lived Atheism in Contemporary Greek Society

Abstract In the wake of the ‘New Atheism’ movement, Greek atheists began to gain visibility in the 2010s through various media channels, social media platforms, legal activism, and the establishment of the Atheist Union of Greece. This article presents findings from qualitative research conducted through semi-structured interviews and participant observation, exploring atheism within Greek society. A key focus of this research was to examine the religious or religious-like beliefs and practices adopted by Greek atheists as they reconstruct their identity. Drawing on concepts such as lived atheism, secular paradox, and religion-relatedness, the article delves into the beliefs and practices of self-identified Greek atheists. The goal is to map and analyze these specific beliefs and practices within the context of the Greek Orthodox religious and cultural environment, aiming to understand and elucidate their formation and evolution.