It's not quite as clear cut as that. An observer has an awareness of the concept of God. From a narrative perspective, these "heathens" are obviously non-believers as opposed to believers.

In other words, they don't have to declare their atheism. They are described as atheists by others. If you are saying that they don't self identify as atheists, that would be correct both before and after the God concept was introduced.

In a practical sense there is no difference in their lifestyle.


In a society that has no concept of marriage, an outside observer can state that none of this society are married, because they have no concept of the term.

(Sounds like parts of Africa, where they hop into bed together as casually as shaking hands)