Atheists, by definition, do not believe in the existence of gods or deities. As a diverse group, atheists can have varying views on the origins of the planet, humans, and life in general. It's essential to understand that atheism itself is not a belief system or a comprehensive worldview; it is simply the lack of belief in gods.
Many atheists adhere to scientific explanations for the origins of the planet and life. The prevailing scientific consensus is that the universe, including our planet, originated from the Big Bang around 13.8 billion years ago. The Earth formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago through natural processes such as accretion and gravitational attraction of cosmic matter.
Regarding the origin of life, scientists propose the theory of abiogenesis, which suggests that life emerged from non-living matter through natural chemical processes. While the exact mechanism of abiogenesis remains an active area of scientific research, it is a naturalistic explanation for the origin of life without invoking any supernatural forces.
For the diversity of life and the emergence of humans, the theory of evolution, first proposed by Charles Darwin, provides a scientific explanation. Evolution through natural selection is supported by substantial evidence from various scientific fields like biology, paleontology, genetics, and comparative anatomy.
It's important to emphasize that atheism itself doesn't provide a specific explanation for these scientific theories. Rather, individual atheists may accept scientific consensus or hold personal beliefs based on their understanding of scientific evidence and critical thinking. Some atheists may not have a definitive answer on these topics and may remain open to ongoing scientific discoveries and advancements.