Atheism

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Religious 'Nones' are now the largest single group in the U.S. (www.npr.org)

submitted 9 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] Hildegarde 35 points 9 months ago (3 children)

No. Not in this study.

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%).

Atheism is much more specific than what they consider to be, 'none'.

Pew asked respondents what – if anything – they believe. The research organization found that Nones are not a uniform group.

Most Nones believe in God or another higher power, but very few attend any kind of religious service.

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.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (2 children)

TL;DR: The study is talking about agnostics, and grouping atheists with them.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 9 months ago (1 children)

No, agnosticism is a whole other issue from any of this. Agnosticism, technically speaking, is the position "it is impossible to know whether a god or gods exist." That's a separate position from "I do not believe that gods exist", "I believe that gods do not exist", and "I believe that gods exist." You can be an agnostic theist or a non-agnostic atheist. They're along two different axes, like the Dungeons and Dragons alignment system with the law/order and good/evil axes.

Unfortunately the term has gained some additional meanings in common parlance, where it can commonly mean "I'm an atheist/theist but I don't want to say that because it gets me in trouble." Or "I'm not sure what I think so I'm going with the option that sounds the most unsure."

It's led to a huge mess when trying to categorize belief systems in polls like this one.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago

Interesting, I didn't realize that. Thank you

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

So the problem still exists, it’s just more insane spiritual types and less organised.

That’s only 10% of Americans who are atheists or agnostic.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago

Don't forget the various US political religions like Founding Fatherism and Trumpism.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

however, they reject the idea that science can explain everything.

I am an anti-theist and I reject that idea too, doesn't mean I think religion can explain anything though. In fact I would go so far as to consider that deliberately obscure phrasing in the poll.

[–] Hildegarde 3 points 9 months ago

Science can only explain things that can be measured and tested. Anything else is pure speculation.

Anyone who thinks science can explain everything, does not understand the scientific method.