More than 1 in 4 American adults identify as “religious nones,” meaning they consider themselves to be “atheist,” “agnostic” or “nothing in particular,” according to a report from the Pew Research Center released Wednesday.
According to the new set of data, 28% of Americans classify themselves as “nones,” 17% of whom identify as atheist, 20% as agnostic and 63% as “nothing in particular.” Most “nones” said they were raised to be religious, and the majority were raised in Christian households.
The data was mostly based on a Pew Research Center survey of 11,201 respondents that was conducted over the course of a week last summer. The report also drew on a few other surveys conducted in recent years and on Pew’s National Public Opinion Reference Surveys.
“When asked directly why they are not religious, two-thirds of ‘nones’ say they question a lot of religious teachings or don’t believe in God,” the report said.
I personally don’t want to base my political activity on something I believe wholeheartedly to be a falsehood (specifically, the existence of a god).
There is such a thing as a christian atheist, someone who believes the philosophy espoused by Jesus but who rejects the historicity of the bible and even the existence of god.
An interesting philosophical exercise I suppose, but the core appeal of following Jesus (and indeed any reason for believing his methods would work) seem pretty linked to the existence of jawheh.
I haven’t met any Christian or Muslim atheists, whereas I have met several Jewish and Hindu atheists.
Think of it as someone who follows Christ by actions rather than by words.
Not a prayer on their lips but willing to give you the clothes off their back if they find you in need.
I think not enough people understand how important good works are supposed to be to the faith.
Saying you believe without backing it up by offering the help you have to give to the misfortuned around you is show you don’t actually believe in anything.