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.

  • IHeartBadCode@kbin.social
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    10 months ago

    A lot of churches will not see this as a sign for self reflection and will instead blame “woke” whatever.

    Strange how raping little children, embezzlement, hate speech, subjugation of women and other abuses by various churches might convince people to not associate with a group that perpetuates that.

    They literally are doing this to themselves and regularly fail to understand it like a Principal Skinner meme IRL.

    • Ð Greıt Þu̇mpkin@lemm.ee
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      10 months ago

      I mean apparently most of the departures are coming from mainline denominations as opposed to the evangelicals that are actually growing in number if anything

      Just look at Redeemed Zoomer, dude just officially announced a “Reconquista” campaign to take Presbyterianism “back” from “the unchristian liberals” because he thinks acknowledging gay people deserve rights means you don’t actually believe in anything Christian and are just peddling whatever is in vogue.

      The Church has been left in the hands of its lowest common denominator in the west, and they’ve grabbed onto the power that offers with every intention to abuse the shit out of it.

      Where previous social movements defined themselves around the church, the modern movements have defined themselves by rejecting it altogether, and in doing so have left the crazies with a controlling share of the leftovers.

      Kind of a missed opportunity IMO, had movements like Social Gospel and Liberation Theology maintained a visible presence beyond history book footnotes, I could genuinely see modern generations bordering on organizing themselves under crusader iconography.

      • eestileib
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        10 months ago

        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).

        • Ð Greıt Þu̇mpkin@lemm.ee
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          10 months ago

          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.

          • eestileib
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            10 months ago

            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.

            • Ð Greıt Þu̇mpkin@lemm.ee
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              10 months ago

              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.

      • Uranium3006@kbin.social
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        10 months ago

        The southern Baptist church, the largest evangelical denomination in America, had it’s peak membership in 2006.