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A new survey measures views of atheists in the US, with data suggesting that not nearly as many "nones" would also consider themselves "atheist."
A survey undertaken by Pew Research Center in the summer of 2023 has shed some light on the portion of US adults who consider themselves “atheist.” A previous Pew study reported on by Aleteia found that the number of “nones,” those who do not identify with any particular religion, has surged in recent years. The new survey, however, suggests that not nearly as many of those who fall into the category of “none” would also fall into the category of “atheist.”
According to Pew, only 4% of US adults call themselves “atheist,” a figure that is twice as high as reported in a 2007 Pew study. In the US, men are slightly more likely to call themselves atheist than women, with 6-in-10 self-proclaiming atheists being male. Furthermore, 7-in-10 respondents who said they were atheist reported being aged 49 years or younger.
About three-quarters of self-identified atheists reported having no belief in God or a higher power. This group fits the traditional definition of atheist: as someone who does not believe in the existence of God or gods. There is, however, a considerable portion of self-identified atheists(23%) who say they do believe in some form of higher power, suggesting that there is some discrepancy among atheists as to what constitutes atheism.
Continued below.
aleteia.org
A survey undertaken by Pew Research Center in the summer of 2023 has shed some light on the portion of US adults who consider themselves “atheist.” A previous Pew study reported on by Aleteia found that the number of “nones,” those who do not identify with any particular religion, has surged in recent years. The new survey, however, suggests that not nearly as many of those who fall into the category of “none” would also fall into the category of “atheist.”
According to Pew, only 4% of US adults call themselves “atheist,” a figure that is twice as high as reported in a 2007 Pew study. In the US, men are slightly more likely to call themselves atheist than women, with 6-in-10 self-proclaiming atheists being male. Furthermore, 7-in-10 respondents who said they were atheist reported being aged 49 years or younger.
About three-quarters of self-identified atheists reported having no belief in God or a higher power. This group fits the traditional definition of atheist: as someone who does not believe in the existence of God or gods. There is, however, a considerable portion of self-identified atheists(23%) who say they do believe in some form of higher power, suggesting that there is some discrepancy among atheists as to what constitutes atheism.
Continued below.
Pew study paints a picture of the average US atheist
A new survey measur views of atheists in the US, with data suggesting that not nearly as many "nones" would also consider themselves "atheist."
aleteia.org
