Essay: Where does the idea that atheists eat babies come from?

In 2014, The Washington Times reported: "China’s one child policy, baby trafficking, and sex trafficking of North Korean women aren’t the worst human rights violation happening in the country. Aborting innocent and healthy unborn children and eating them to boost one’s stamina and sexual health is.^[1]

Please see: Atheists eat babies meme

Where does the idea that atheists eat babies come from?

The atheists eat babies meme is a dark humor meme used to illustrate the fact that many people distrust atheists and equate atheism with immorality (see: Distrust of atheists and Atheism and morality).^[2] There have been several studies indicating that many people have a low opinion of atheists (see: Views on atheists).

However, there are both contemporary and historical examples of individuals in atheistic cultures eating babies/children (see: Atheists eat babies meme).

Most atheists are likely East Asian (see: Asian atheism). China has the largest atheist population in the world and practices state atheism (see: China and atheism). Recently, there was a notable case of Chinese eating powdered baby fetuses from abortions (see: Communist China and baby eating). In North Korea, which practices state atheism, there was an incident reported of a man eating his children (see: North Korea, famine and a father eating his children).

During a famine in the atheistic Soviet Union, there were cases where Soviet citizens ate children (see: Soviet Union, famine and individuals eating children).

The exact origin of the atheists eat babies meme is unknown.

• Atheism and cannibalism

Essays:

• Causes of atheists eating babies
• What do atheists eat?