In Salman Rushdie's "The Enchantress of Florence," a thought-provoking dialogue unfolds between Emperor Akbar and his minister, Birbal, regarding the nature of belief and atheism. When challenged about what he would say to devout followers of different religions, Birbal, despite being a Brahmin, confidently declares that they are all atheists in a way, as each one dismisses the existence of gods other than their own. This perspective encourages a deeper reflection on the concept of faith in comparison to disbelief.

Birbal further explains that true believers possess valid reasons for rejecting the gods of other faiths, which inadvertently solidifies his stance as an atheist. By stating that these believers provide him with all the arguments he needs to be skeptical of any deity, he underscores a shared rationality among religions. This exchange highlights a crucial philosophical inquiry about faith and atheism, drawing attention to the commonalities in human belief systems and the reasoning that leads people to atheism.