Introduction to the project

The aim of the network European Entangled Atheisms: Concepts of Unbelief and the People Shaping them from the 1860s to the 1940s is to establish a link between historical research on European atheism and the emerging field of Secular Studies.

Atheism is understood in both its conceptual and organisational dimensions, as an essential element of the pluralisation of religion in the modern era. In particular, the network focuses on the interconnections and (attempted) practical applications of atheistic concepts. During the time period under investigation, developments accelerated both organisationally and ideologically. It marks the transition to decidedly atheistic worldviews, which, whilst not always competely abandoning their dialectical relation to religion, were nevertheless able to address it in a new and often controversial way.

The aim of the project is to create a digital scholarly edition of key atheistic texts translated into English. These text will recognise and highlight the histories of atheistic actors all across Europe as part of a transnational and dialectical development.