I've seen this story several places but USA Today has a surprisingly in-depth report. In a broad (35,000 respondents) survey whose results were released today, when asked, "What is your religious identity?" 15% of Americans now respond "None", nearly double the number in 1990. This groups is the fastest growing and now ranks third largest, behind Roman Catholics and Baptists. Perhaps even more surprising, when asked if they believe in a "personal God", 30% answer "No." The survey confirms the trend reported in many other polls that more and more poeple consider themselves spiritual, often still believing in God, but have no affiliation with a religion or worshiping community. One of those in charge of the study concludes from this year's results that in the US "religion has become more like a fashion statement, not a deep personal commitment for many." I'll have more to say later.
Monday, March 09, 2009
"None of the above": 3rd place and climbing
I've seen this story several places but USA Today has a surprisingly in-depth report. In a broad (35,000 respondents) survey whose results were released today, when asked, "What is your religious identity?" 15% of Americans now respond "None", nearly double the number in 1990. This groups is the fastest growing and now ranks third largest, behind Roman Catholics and Baptists. Perhaps even more surprising, when asked if they believe in a "personal God", 30% answer "No." The survey confirms the trend reported in many other polls that more and more poeple consider themselves spiritual, often still believing in God, but have no affiliation with a religion or worshiping community. One of those in charge of the study concludes from this year's results that in the US "religion has become more like a fashion statement, not a deep personal commitment for many." I'll have more to say later.
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