atheism can be seen as a form of secular christianity because it inherits key assumptions from christian thought, particularly the concept of a linear, progressive universe with a clear beginning. historically, most religions, including ancient atheists and philosophers, viewed the universe as eternal or cyclical, without a distinct start or end. however, the big bang theory, first proposed by a catholic priest, georges lematre, introduced a beginning point for the universe, which aligns with the christian idea of creation ex nihilo (from nothing). this framework shaped modern secular views, including atheism, which often retains the linear, progressive view of time and history, even while rejecting the divine.
NATO