What belief denies the existence of any deity or deities?

Atheism is the belief that denies the existence of any deity or deities. Individuals who identify as atheists do not subscribe to any religious belief that includes gods or divine beings. This perspective is rooted in a rejection of theistic claims based on a lack of empirical evidence for the existence of gods, often emphasizing a reliance on reason and scientific inquiry.

In contrast, other concepts do not negate the existence of deities. Agnosticism, for instance, holds that the existence of a deity is unknown or unknowable, implying a position of uncertainty rather than outright denial. Monotheism is the belief in a single deity, which is the opposite of atheism, while dualism refers to the belief in two fundamental, opposing forces (often in a philosophical or metaphysical context) rather than the number or existence of deities. Thus, atheism distinctly specifies a rejection of all gods, making it the correct answer.