Atheism is a belief that God does not exist, and agnosticism is a viewpoint of ignoring religion. Both agnostics and atheists reject God and spirituality, and therefore have more freedom than anyone who follows any mainstream religion. Most atheists cite a lack of empirical evidence in the existence of God for their belief system, along with many philosophical and scientific arguments that are in favour of an atheist perspective. Agnostics may lack religious belief due to a lack of time to devote to religion, a general sense that religion is not relevant to their lives, and a lack of anything that convinces them of a spiritual element to the world in their immediate lives.

Lacking a belief in God gives freedom from the restriction of religious rules. However, there are still restrictions on the freedom of agnostics and atheists because of the selfish nature of society. These restrictions also apply to people who have religious beliefs. For example:

• The perceived need for status in society is restrictive to freedom and promotes high levels of stress (e.g. the 'rat race').

• The perceived need to comply with the social norm is restrictive to freedom.

• The desire for money is particularly restrictive. It is usually more time-consuming to earn money than to spend it on things that are perceived to increase freedom and happiness. In addition, the more money a person has, the more people will try to use that person. In a selfish society, people use each other rather than serve each other, promoting unsatisfactory relationships.

I have estimated the average level of fulfillment brought to other people by atheists and agnostics poorly, because it is natural for people to behave selfishly. This also applies to people who are religious, although religions such as Buddhism minimise people's impact on others by discouraging consumerism. However, atheists and agnostics who are humanists and those who choose an ethical style of living are less likely to cause as much suffering to others.