According to a Pew survey released on Tuesday, the number of religiously unaffiliated Americans – sometimes called the “nones” – is growing.
The study found that 20 percent of Americans are not affiliated with any religion, which is a five percent increase from just five years ago. Nearly six percent of the U.S. public, or 13 million people, are self-described atheists or agnostics, according to the new survey.
Pew claims the rise of the “nones” is largely driven by generational replacement. Thirty-three percent respondents under the age of 30 said they do not associate with a particular religion, compared to only 9 percent of respondents over the age of 65.
The religious dissociation trend appears to be unique to caucasian Americans. Pew found the share of blacks and Hispanics who are religiously unaffiliated has not changed by a statistically significant margin in recent years.
Most of the unaffiliated say religious organizations are too concerned with money, power, politics and rules.
The religiously unaffiliated are liberal in their political ideology; six in ten described themselves as Democrats, compared with 48 percent of all registered voters.
Surprisingly, Pew found that 68 percent of this growing group say they believe in God, 37 percent describe themselves as “spiritual” but not “religious” and 21 percent said that they even pray every day.
What's your take? Why do you think the younger generation is disassociating from religion? Do you think this trend will have an impact on communities? Take our poll and share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Zed
6:59 am on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Religion is for those who are afraid of hell. Spirituality is for those who have been there.
Carol Lea Million
7:10 am on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
I became an atheist 40 yrs ago at age 8 while attending church with my bestfriend who was a preachers daughter. I realized the bible was full of hate and prejudice set on dividing people when we should have love for one another instead.
the judge
7:12 am on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
God doesn't belive in me, l don't belive in god.
Cheese Ball
7:42 am on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Could it have anything to do with your spelling? Funny how in missing 1 little letter all credibility seems to go out the window! ;-) I think the title of this article should read "All atheists in town please stand up and tell the world how debatable religion is". Here Olga, I'll answer your questions! The younger generation doesn't go to church or affiliate with a religion in general because their parents don't take them. If you never told your kids to eat their vegetables do you think they would?! The impact on community would be minor if any. Most church going folk would probably agree that believing in god and following his teachings boils down to right and wrong, whether you are praying for forgiveness or praying you don't get caught. Religion is like politics, because of the many flaws it's easy to debate and be skeptical.
Al bfree
9:11 am on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
It's a tragic trend. Truly a result of the lack parents caring to give their children a sense if morality the new trends of materialism and social acceptance being prioritized over integrity and spiritual cleanliness. Sadly without religious folks to terrain the humanity in society earth will become hell and god will havr to fulfill revelations and daniel. The good news is he loves us all of us and eventually our spirits will be happier than we ever could be in this mortality
Sunny Shores
9:41 am on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Interesting information available by researching Higgs boson, aka the God particle. Science is close to proving how the universe was created and it did not involve God.
daniel phelan
10:10 am on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
I know for a fact that I will die one day and no amount of myth is going to ameliorate the uncertainty of what will happen to me when I do.
I'm going to be the best person I can regardless.
Actions demonstrate morals, not religious affiliation.
Religion is mostly an opening for hypocrisy and a closing of tolerance and reason.
Jay Down South in Dixie
12:30 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island, was persecuted by intolerant Massachusetts Bay Colony Puritans. He was a Christian, but he believed in tolerance and worked hard to try to bring peace in King Philip's War, although he was not successful. There isn't any human institution, religious or secular, that isn't filled with destructive people, hypocrites and bigots. Just ask Cardinal Law and all the priests serving time. Just ask Dick Cheney and all the people who should be doing time.
That's the way it is and always will be. Those institutions are also filled with good, decent and compassionate people. That's the way it can be when you choose that path. I've freely chosen to believe in and follow Jesus. It's cost me friendships. His was an invitation, not a command. I've never told anyone else what to believe, and I never will. I'm also a liberal Democrat, and I believe in social justice; that status has cost me friends and earned me enemies, too. Choices have consequences. We all pay the tab eventually.
The Byrds and Gram Parsons said it best for me in this ditty from their "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" album:
My buddies shun me since I turned to Jesus
They say I'm missing a whole world of fun
I live without them and walk in the light
I like the Christian life
I won't lose a friend by heeding God's call
For what is a friend who'd want you to fall
Others find pleasure in things I despise
I like the Christian life.
Mom to twins
1:14 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
My parents did not attend Church, but from the age of 9 to 12 I asked to do so and was allowed to. During that time I joined a bible club and received scholarships to bible camp and really enjoyed the experience. We then moved and the church in our area frowned on me coming without a parent. I eventually chose not to attend Church regularly, but I still believe in God and pray. We teach our daughters about God and Jesus, but more importantly we teach them about being kind, generous, compassionate, and doing the "right" thing. I know many "religious" people, some of them live their lives by it, but quite a few of them do not live by what they preach.
Going into a building once a week and singing the hymns and saying the prayers and quoting scripture does not make someone a better Christian, it is what you do with it that counts. I find values, morals, character, and religion to be very similar-it's what you do when no one is watching and nothing is to be personally gained that truly defines who you are and what kind of person you are. That's just my two cents.