The World's Largest Coalition of Nontheists and Nontheist Communities!

A lot of non-believers!

Take a look at this American Religious Identification Survey website:

http://livinginliminality.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/aris_report_2...

It shows that 15% of American noted they had no religion, and the biggest "challange to Christianity" come from the rejection of all forms of organized religion. That's almost 50 million people in todays numbers. These aren't card carrying athiests, but I had no idea the number was that high. Are these numbers accurate?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joseph P on August 20, 2011 at 2:59pm

Those are the official US Census figures that I read a few months ago. Should be accurate.

Permalink Reply by Orson_Zedd on August 20, 2011 at 3:05pm

They're consistent with the most recent data I've seen, but then I can't remember how accurate that data was.

Permalink Reply by Annie Thomas on August 20, 2011 at 3:17pm

I don't really care for their category name... "nones".

Permalink Reply by Andre Woodvine on August 20, 2011 at 4:41pm

Yes, that's consistent with what I understand. Bill Maher commented on this in his film Religulous. He stated that the Atheist "minority" has a larger percentage of the population than African Americans, Jews, and the NRA for example, yet politicians rarely seem to address the needs of Atheists.

Permalink Reply by Joseph P on August 20, 2011 at 5:21pm

Because unlike the Jews and the NRA, we don't give them a ton of money.

Permalink Reply by Annie Thomas on August 20, 2011 at 6:30pm

So true. I wonder what would happen if we did? If we picked on candidate, collected a big pool of money and gave it to them. Do you think that would damage the candidate in the public eye? I give money to candidates often, but they never know that I'm an atheist. It would be an interesting experiment to pool money for one candidate and see what happens.

Permalink Reply by ROMAN ROMACH on August 20, 2011 at 7:05pm

I like it. As far as I know, there's only one avowed atheist in public service. From California - where else. But you need to pick a politician who is incidently an atheist, not just an atheist running on an atheist platform. I bet there are several in office already. I'm guessing Barney Frank MA, that comic senator from Minn., Bernie Sanders Vt., Kerry Ma., Schwarzenneger, et al.

Permalink Reply by Annie Thomas on August 20, 2011 at 7:58pm

I agree... I would never vote for anyone simply because they were an atheist... though I must admit, I will not vote for someone who makes their "relationship" with Jesus/God, etc. paramount in their campaign. There is also Cecil Bothwell, though he is not running nationally. He was the one (in NC) who they tried to throw out of office due to some archaic statement in the NC constitution about any public official needing to believe in god.

Permalink Reply by Kent on August 21, 2011 at 8:48pm

I agree, its too broad and can be misleading. Cheryl noted a good link that breaks it down nicely. The results are still promising!

Permalink Reply by Susan Stanko on August 20, 2011 at 6:57pm

Just because they don't follow organized religion doesn't mean they don't believe in a god

Permalink Reply by Kent on August 21, 2011 at 12:17pm

I agree Susan, the 15% (50 million) is not indicative of just non-believers, but also inclusive of those not following any organized religion and towards Deistic beliefs. But its still good news and an "evolutionary step" in the right direction: Animism>Polytheism>Monotheism>Deism>Agnostisim>Atheism! Kent

Permalink Reply by oracle on August 21, 2011 at 4:06pm