Atheism and Rhetorical Studies: A Rethinking.

This article critically examines the treatment of atheism within rhetorical studies, responding to Kristina Lee's claim that the field largely neglects atheists and often portrays them dismissively or stereotypically. Offering a more extensive literature review, the author argues that while scholarship on atheist rhetorics is less abundant than on religious rhetorics, it is more substantial and nuanced than Lee suggests, encompassing analyses of popular atheism, philosophical atheism, and legalistic atheism, as well as studies on atheist identity disclosure and religious disaffiliation. The article also challenges Lee's interpretation of certain scholarly works as dismissive, providing contextual readings that reveal more complex engagements with atheism. Ultimately, it calls for continued, careful, and ethically grounded research on atheism's rhetorical dimensions, highlighting existing scholarship as a solid foundation for future inquiry.