So, we nonbelievers are now tied for top spot in reported religious affiliation. And how many of those who claim a "religion" really don't believe either but fear it is unseemly to say "none"? I know I was one for many years.
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.sorry but "nones" are not all, or even mostly, nonbelievers. they just claim no religious affiliation.
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genessa
Level 8
Mar 26, 2019
2
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There is even an anonymous group for clergy who no longer believe.
Sticks48
Level 9
Mar 25, 2019
3
Knowing people that were inside ICAR clergy, i can second that. A lot stay because social prestige, fear of reaction (as ICAR tries to socially isolate ex-clergy) etc.
I am an ultra non-believer, I think religion has done terrible things to mankind. For me no church, no prayer, no ghost, no shaman, no miracles, no second thoughts, no heaven, no christ, no god, no buddha, and now I am a "religious" person? What have I done to deserve this!! ?
Merseyman1
Level 9
Mar 25, 2019
3
No, now you are a "no religion" person.
I think one of the draws of groups like Sunday Assembly is bringing in people that were atheists but going to churches for the "community experience". Sunday Assembly's are getting much more popular and as more churchgoers realize what they do I suspect houses of worship will find their attendance dropping even more.
AtheistNews
Level 6
Mar 25, 2019
0
This just in, not collecting stamps is now tied for the number one hobby.
indirect76
Level 7
Mar 25, 2019
2
I think many people who claim a religion are actually claiming a culture, not necessarily the religious beliefs that go along with that.
Kind of like the large number of Jews who don't keep the Sabbath or eat kosher... But they still participate in the rituals, perhaps out of habit or because they find them comforting...are the large numbers of Christians who don't really know what the Bible says because they never bothered reading it
Floridacyclist
Level 4
Mar 25, 2019
2
I'd like to see that Evangelical line take a nose dive. They represent the majority of the religiously insufferable.
Piratefish
Level 7
Mar 25, 2019
2
Many people really are "nones." They have a fit if you say you are atheist but when you ask them what they believe you might find crazy hand gestures as they search for words and they say "well, I believe in something." This comes from not knowing and also not wanting to admit that they do not know. Where did we come from? We all had parents but other than that we simply do not know.
DenoPenno
Level 9
Mar 25, 2019
3
Some may also be people who believe, but do not practice or even attend services.
@Piratefish Even those who rarely or never attend church, when asked their religion are likely to name the religion they consider themselves to be connected to. For quite a few years, if asked, for example for medical record, what religion, I was likely to respond, "Uh, IDK, I guess christian or baptist" because these are denominations I had been involved with in the past. On the other hand, there was a time when I knew I didn't believe yet replied the same when queried. .
@DotLewis There was a period of time before I was atheistic when I would answer "none", because I hadn't been to church in years, or even thought about religion for that matter. I have also responded to polls saying that I was Lutheran many years after realizing that I was atheistic.
Actually who is tied (with evangelicals and Catholics) are "nones" which consists of nonbelievers and unaffiliated believers.
mordant
Level 8
Mar 25, 2019
0
Wouldn't the unaffiliated believers be included in "other faith" category? Seems that would cover people who "believe" but don't consider themselves a specific denomination.
@DotLewis Here's an excerpt from Pew's description (they coined the term I believe, and they track it in surveys):
"A growing share of Americans are religiously unaffiliated. We recently asked a representative sample of more than 1,300 of these “nones” why they choose not to identify with a religion. Out of several options included in the survey, the most common reason they give is that they question a lot of religious teachings."
I have always seen it presented as people who don't participate in any organized religion. Atheists are actually a fairly small part of that group.
I assume "other faiths" would just be a catch-all for adherents to the smallest organized religions.
I've always preferred to do whatever was considered "unseemly".
Like, since birth.
My mother said I was "born defiant". I think that may have been the
truest thing she EVER said to me.
KKGator
Level 9
Mar 25, 2019
2
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