In this paper, the author deals with atheism from its appearance in ancient times until today. Following atheism from its beginnings, she depicts the most famous atheists and their works, which by their content belong to certain kinds of manifests. In the first part, the author talks about Christians who were considered atheists in ancient times, for showing their faith to just one Christian God instead to a range of Antic gods. As they did not offer sacrifices to the Roman gods, they were punished with persecution and death. In the next step, the author deals with the topic of contemporary atheism, emerging after the French Revolution. During this period, the meaning of the word "atheist" changes, the word no longer stands for Christians, but for those who deny the existence of holiness in general and who do not believe in God's existence. Scientists of the time wanted to have a serious discourse on God, confirmed in the natural science field. Science should replace faith, religion and God by giving freedom to man and nature. In the central part, the author looks at the new atheism and contemporary paganism as a philosophical-social movement, representing the belief that religion and the Christian God are the cause of the evil in the world and that they should be replaced by intellect and science. In this way, Christianity as a monotheistic religion was presented as the most dangerous element of modern society, that harms the lives of people and human communities. Contemporary atheism is also reflected in the Croatian territory, where there were changes at the beginning of the third millennium, in which the Church and its institutions were blamed for all social problems and religion and God were fiercely attacked. Modern atheists especially use poisonous sarcasm and cynicism in their atheistic propaganda. Finally, in the fourth part, the author elaborates the ways the Church has treated atheism throughout history. After the initial disorientation in opposing new knowledge and scientific discoveries, the Church introduces apologetics, dialogue and dialectics. In the end, the author concludes that theism and atheism have been following each other throughout history, because as long as the man exists, there is always his search for the purpose of life and being on Earth. For the well-being of man and the human community it is crucial that atheists and Christians respect each other in mutual dialogue. The Christian must be a true and genuine witness of his faith, and in this way he will illuminate this world with God's light and witness the God's existence to each man, including an atheist.