Religious 'unaffiliated' now largest single group in U.S.

[Free]

Religious 'Nones' are now the largest single group in the U.S.

When Americans are asked to check a box indicating their religious affiliation, 28% now check 'none.'

A new study from Pew Research finds that the religiously unaffiliated – a group comprised of atheists, agnostic and those who say their religion is "nothing in particular" – is now the largest cohort in the U.S. They're more prevalent among American adults than Catholics (23%) or evangelical Protestants (24%).

Back in 2007, Nones made up just 16% of Americans, but Pew's new survey of more than 3,300 U.S. adults shows that number has now risen dramatically.

Researchers refer to this group as the "Nones."

I think they pronounce it Noh-nays.

 

[Kamilah Hauptmann]

Looks like evangelicals will need to tolerate Catholics a bit more if they hope for that chance to gas chamber everyone for Jesus.

 

[Casey Pelous]

Religious 'Nones' are now the largest single group in the U.S.
I think they pronounce it Noh-nays.

Are they known as Nohnists?

 

[Soen Eber]

Are they known as Nohnists?

So the only remaining question is, do they prefer marinana or alfredo, and what the odds are of a schism between the two.

 

[Jopsy Pendragon]

Religious 'Nones' are now the largest single group in the U.S.




I think they pronounce it Noh-nays.

Curious, I just saw another pew report saying that they were wondering if the 'rise of the nones' was now levelling off..

Has the rise of religious ‘nones’ come to an end in the U.S.?

Although it’s possible that the “nones” have leveled off, it’s also possible that their growth has continued, but at a gradual pace that is difficult to see in the data.

www.pewresearch.org

 

[Noodles]

So the only remaining question is, do they prefer marinana or alfredo, and what the odds are of a schism between the two.

Alfredo, red sauce is gross.

Though I prefer oil and herbs and cheese if given a choice, or a good pesto.

 

[Free]

Curious, I just saw another pew report saying that they were wondering if the 'rise of the nones' was now levelling off..

Has the rise of religious ‘nones’ come to an end in the U.S.?

Although it’s possible that the “nones” have leveled off, it’s also possible that their growth has continued, but at a gradual pace that is difficult to see in the data.

www.pewresearch.org

So a long increase has leveled out over the past few years. I'm not sure that's an actual indicator of future trends, though. Surveys can be good at telling us where people stand right now, but where they'll be in the future? Not good predictors.

 

[Imnotgoing Sideways]

So the only remaining question is, do they prefer marinana or alfredo, and what the odds are of a schism between the two.

Barbecue sauce. =^-^=

 

[Jopsy Pendragon]

So the only remaining question is, do they prefer marinana or alfredo, and what the odds are of a schism between the two.

I prefer my pasta 'Alla Puttanesca'... the 'sluttier' version of Marinara.

 

[GoblinCampFollower]

I feel the need to point out that a large portion (most?) of the "nones" that show up in many surveys are not actually atheists or agnostic. Many are deists or just made up their own religion and/or do still have various supernatural beliefs.

I sometimes like to say I "don't believe in the supernatural" when describing my own beliefs since that is a bit firmer than just saying I have no "religion."

 

[Free]

I feel the need to point out that a large portion (most?) of the "nones" that show up in many surveys are not actually atheists or agnostic. Many are deists or just made up their own religion and/or do still have various supernatural beliefs.

From the article:

They aren't all anti-religious. Most Nones say religion does some harm, but many also think it does some good. Most have more positive views of science than those who are religiously affiliated; however, they reject the idea that science can explain everything.

But Smith says to keep in mind that the Nones are comprised of three distinct groups – atheists, agnostics and those who describe themselves as 'nothing in particular.'

 

[Imnotgoing Sideways]

"Everybody's got to believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer." - W.C.Fields