Irreligion in the United States

Irreligion in the United States

Encompassing atheism, agnosticism, deism, skepticism, freethought, secular humanism or general secularism, various polls have put the population of "non religious" North Americans at around 20 million people. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/14/AR2007091402199.html In America, Nonbelievers Find Strength in Numbers] ] cite web
url=http://www.gc.cuny.edu/faculty/research_briefs/aris/key_findings.htm
title=American Religious Identification Survey
accessdate=2008-03-29
]

Several groups promoting no religious faith, or opposing religious faith altogether, have also witnessed large increases in membership numbers in recent years.

Demographics

A Barna group poll found that about 20 million people say they are atheist, have no religious faith or are agnostic, with 5 million of that number claiming to be atheists. The study also found that " [t] hey tend to be more educated, more affluent and more likely to be male and unmarried than those with active faith" and that " [o] nly 6 percent of people over 60 have no faith in God, and one in four adults ages 18 to 22 describe themselves as having no faith."

A 2007 Gallup poll which asked the question

"Which of the following statements comes closest to your belief about God: you believe in God, you don't believe in God but you do believe in a universal spirit or higher power, or you don't believe in either?"
showed that 78% believed in god, 14% in "A universal spirit or higher power", 7% answering "neither", and 1% unsure.cite web
url=http://www.pollingreport.com/religion.htm
title=Polling Report - Religion
publisher=Various
accessdate=2008-03-29
]

The 2001 American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) found that while 29.5 million U.S. Adults (14.1%) described themselves as "without religion", only 902,000 (0.4%) positively claimed to be atheist, with another 991,000 (0.5%) professing agnosticism.

Irreligion in politics

Many voters in the United States are rather distrustful of those professing a lack of religious faith, with an "atheist" at the bottom of the list of presidential candidates that people would vote for. Over 90% of Americans are willing to vote for a Catholic, Jewish, female or black President, but the number willing to vote for an atheist is below 45%, lower than the result for homosexuals and Muslims. [ [http://richarddawkins.net/article,662,Atheists-come-in-last,USA-Today--Gallup-Poll Atheists come in last - USA today] ] [ [http://atheism.about.com/od/atheistbigotryprejudice/a/AtheistSurveys.htm About.com Atheist Surveys] ]

ee also

* Agnosticism
* Atheism
* Irreligion
* Religion in the United States
* Religious skepticism
* Secular humanism

References

External links


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Lithuanians in the United States — • Includes information about immigration, religion, schools, and periodicals Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Lithuanians in the United States     Lithuanians in the United States …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • First Amendment to the United States Constitution — First Amendment redirects here. For other uses, see First Amendment (disambiguation). United States of America This a …   Wikipedia

  • The Irish (in Countries Other Than Ireland) —     The Irish (in countries other than Ireland)     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► The Irish (in countries other than Ireland)     I. IN THE UNITED STATES     Who were the first Irish to land on the American continent and the time of their arrival are …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Outline of the United Kingdom — …   Wikipedia

  • The Restored Jesuits (1814-1912) —     Society of Jesus, History of the (1814 1912)     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► The Jesuits After the Restoration (1814 1912)     Pius VII had resolved to restore the Society during his captivity in France; and after his return to Rome he did so… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Irreligion — Irreligious redirects here. For the album by Moonspell, see Irreligious (album). Part of a series on Irreligion …   Wikipedia

  • Roman Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA — The coat of arms of the Archdiocese for the Military Services The Roman Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, provides the Roman Catholic Church s pastoral and spiritual services to those serving in the United States armed forces… …   Wikipedia

  • Establishment Clause of the First Amendment — The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment refers to the first of several pronouncements in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, stating that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion .... Together… …   Wikipedia

  • Demographics of the world — This article is about the demographic features of the population of the World, including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.… …   Wikipedia

  • Augustinians of the Assumption (The Assumptionists) —     Augustinians of the Assumption     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► Augustinians of the Assumption     (Also called the Assumptionists.)     This congregation had its origin in the College of the Assumption, es …   Catholic encyclopedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”