I know that “pre-enlightenment” encompasses thousands of years.. and it’s a euro-centric word that I don’t want to limit the scope of this question to.

I’m asking for two reasons:

1. I have the suspicion that atheism doesn’t have to be this “learned” thing, it could just as easily be something that one finds, or stumbles on, all on one’s own. It makes no sense that every single human should automatically believe the religious narrative that they’re born into - i assume lots could simply not believe or even care to believe.

2. I remember reading an atheist account from someone captured by the Spanish Inquisition. He said something along the lines of “who is this jesus fellow and what’s it to me?” (Though I haven’t been able to find this source again unfortunately)

Anyways, I hope the scope isn’t too large. Thanks in advance if there’s anything you can contribute.