# What % of Americans/world population are atheists? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 12, 2002, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-americans-world-population-are-atheists/136342 "2002-11-12T00:33:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gportela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/82dd89/32.png) [@gportela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gportela)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2002, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-americans-world-population-are-atheists/136342/1 "2002-11-12T00:33:44Z")
Is the number of non-believers growing in the Space Age, or has it remained static? Growing up I hardly (if ever) heard anyone proclaiming this belief, however it seems to be a lot more prevalent in today’s society. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2002, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-americans-world-population-are-atheists/136342/2 "2002-11-12T01:05:50Z")
I recently read that the worlds atheist population has been about 5% from 1800 thru to 1974.( I assume it’s still about the same now). ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2002, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-americans-world-population-are-atheists/136342/3 "2002-11-12T02:48:09Z")
Don’t y’all know how to google? Here - [http://www.atheistempire.com/reference/statstext.html](http://www.atheistempire.com/reference/statstext.html) A collection of various surveys (sources referenced). It depends on how you define “non-believer.” The areligious/secular are a large and increasing number (@13% in the US). Those describing themselves as atheist or agnostic is a small and decreasing number (@1% in the US). ---
**Author:** ![David\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/51bf81/32.png) [@David\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_B)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2002, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-americans-world-population-are-atheists/136342/4 "2002-11-12T03:01:58Z")
gportela said: > [@](#): > > Growing up I hardly (if ever) heard anyone proclaiming this belief, however it seems to be a lot more prevalent in today’s society. Well, to turn this into a more of a Great Debate instead of a GQ (which has already been answered anyway), let’s look at this statement. Growing up, you probably associated mostly with adults who were friends of your parents. If your parents were believers, they likely hung out with believers. So growing up, you very likely would _not_ have heard many people talking about this. What beliefs you are exposed to (or, in this case, lack of beliefs) depends on where you hang out. For example, there is a high percentage of nonbelievers here on the SDMB – not high enough, but higher than there is in the general public. In addition, I suspect people are more likely now to speak out about it than they were a couple decades ago. I mean, it wasn’t _that_ long ago that McCarthy was attacking Godless Commies. There are still people around (all too many of whom are in politics) who attack those of us who dare to want to keep prayer out of school and evolution in school. So I suspect it’s a combination of these things that has caused your observation. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2002, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-americans-world-population-are-atheists/136342/5 "2002-11-12T13:09:13Z")
> [@](#): > > Growing up I hardly (if ever) heard anyone proclaiming this belief, however it seems to be a lot more prevalent in today’s society. What belief? ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2002, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-americans-world-population-are-atheists/136342/6 "2002-11-12T13:41:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by x-ray vision \* > I recently read that the worlds atheist population has been about 5% from 1800 thru to 1974.( I assume it’s still about the same now). The _Britannica_ gives it as about 150 million “Atheists” worldwide, or 2.5%, but has a separate category “Nonreligious”, with over 768 million people, or 12.7%. (“ **Atheists.** Persons professing atheism, skepticism, disbelief, or irreligion, including the antireligious (opposed to all religion).” “ **Nonreligious.** Persons professing no religion, nonbelievers, agnostics, freethinkers, or dereligionized secularists indifferent to all religion.” Yeah, there’s a real rock solid distinction. It’s not even like “Atheist” is a sub-category of “Nonreligious”, _a la_ “Protestant” and "Christian.) Anyway, that adds up to over 918 million people, over 15% of the human race, which (using the _Britannica_’s numbers) is more of us godless heathens than there are Hindus and is a respectable fraction of the number of Roman Catholics or of Muslims of all sects (about 87% and 77%, respectively, with a billion and change Catholics and nearly 1.2 billion Muslims. There were almost 2 billion Christians of all stripes, about a third of the world’s population). The combined “Atheist/Nonreligious” figures for “Northern America” (which includes all those godless Canadians) was 30 million plus, or just under 10% of the total population. ---
**Author:** ![EchoKitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@EchoKitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EchoKitty)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2002, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-americans-world-population-are-atheists/136342/7 "2002-11-12T13:47:12Z")
Plus me. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2002, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-americans-world-population-are-atheists/136342/8 "2002-11-12T15:44:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by David B \* > **Growing up, you probably associated mostly with adults who were friends of your parents. If your parents were believers, they likely hung out with believers. So growing up, you very likely would _not_ have heard many people talking about this.** That, plus the fact that atheists don’t tend to be terribly evangelical. Unlike homosexuals, who get a free toaster if they recruit 10 heterosexuals into their ranks. \ ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2002, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-americans-world-population-are-atheists/136342/9 "2002-11-12T15:53:28Z")
I consider myself nonreligious. ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2002, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-americans-world-population-are-atheists/136342/10 "2002-11-12T15:54:30Z")
Jesus wasn’t religious… ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2002, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-americans-world-population-are-atheists/136342/11 "2002-11-12T16:25:56Z")
I think theres a distinction to be made between people who find something morally questionable about the notion of a supreme being and those who just plain dont give a fscks. I would suspect that quite s significant proportion of the “Christians” would fall under to not giving a fsck category as well. ---
**Author:** ![lekatt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lekatt/32/7269_2.png) [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2002, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-americans-world-population-are-atheists/136342/12 "2002-11-12T22:09:11Z")
In the recent census I read there were a little over 70,000 atheists in the US, less than 1 percent. These are the ones who listed. IMHO there are a lot of agostics and atheists that still go to church and go through the motions. They do this for their family and friends and somewhat from fear. Hedging their bets on eternity. In the Greater Reality it doesn’t matter what you believe, but how you treat yourself and others. ---
**Author:** ![lekatt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lekatt/32/7269_2.png) [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2002, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-americans-world-population-are-atheists/136342/13 "2002-11-12T22:19:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DSeid \* > \*\*Don’t y’all know how to google? > > Here - > > [http://www.atheistempire.com/reference/statstext.html](http://www.atheistempire.com/reference/statstext.html) > > A collection of various surveys (sources referenced). It depends on how you define “non-believer.” The areligious/secular are a large and increasing number (@13% in the US). Those describing themselves as atheist or agnostic is a small and decreasing number (@1% in the US). \*\* I looked over these statistics and remain unconvinced they have any meaning other than a general trend. There are just to many varieties of beliefs. I list myself as non-religious, but I know there is a higher intelligence, called whatever you desire to call it. Each individual is different. Love Leroy ---
**Author:** ![Pythagras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/45deac/32.png) [@Pythagras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pythagras)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2002, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-americans-world-population-are-atheists/136342/14 "2002-11-12T23:07:23Z")
Im fairly convinced (admidetly I have not much research on this) that even those that profess membership of an organized religion are many times unaware of some of that religions ideology. Some people disagree with their religions on some basic tenets, mundane policy, and anything in between. Look at the difference in the opinions of the lay folk and the clergy in the catholic sex scandal. The Catholic clergy, arguably closer to true Catholic dogma, want to be able to forgive those whos sins are absolved in the face of God and then treat them like any other priest, however the lay folk mostly see lecherous child mollesting priests being protected. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2002, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-americans-world-population-are-atheists/136342/15 "2002-11-12T23:25:15Z")
I agree **Pythagoras**. IMHO, many people “belong” to a religion in the sense that they identify with it as their particular cultural group. Many times they probably never actively worship, never go to church, may not even believe in God, but they would still call themselves Catholic (for example) because that is the cultural group to which their family and friends belong. So when a census form comes around, they have various options to tick off. One of those is “catholic”. Another is “atheist”. They tick catholic, because that’s what they see themselves as. They certainly don’t identify with the bunch of slightly “out there” weirdos who are the public face of atheism. But if you questioned them about their catholicism, it would probably turn out they believe little or none of its teachings. So even ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2002, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-americans-world-population-are-atheists/136342/16 "2002-11-13T07:05:39Z")
Interesting stats at [http://www.adherents.com/Na\_41.html#313](http://www.adherents.com/Na_41.html#313) ---
**Author:** ![Pythagras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/45deac/32.png) [@Pythagras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pythagras)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2002, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-americans-world-population-are-atheists/136342/17 "2002-11-13T07:41:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Princhester \* > \*\*I agree **Pythagoras**. IMHO, many people “belong” to a religion in the sense that they identify with it as their particular cultural group. Many times they probably never actively worship, never go to church, may not even believe in God, but they would still call themselves Catholic (for example) because that is the cultural group to which their family and friends belong. So when a census form comes around, they have various options to tick off. One of those is “catholic”. Another is “atheist”. > > They tick catholic, because that’s what they see themselves as. They certainly don’t identify with the bunch of slightly “out there” weirdos who are the public face of atheism. But if you questioned them about their catholicism, it would probably turn out they believe little or none of its teachings. > > So even \*\* On reflection, theres a good chance I wolud list “episcopal” or “anglican” since that was what I was raised. Even though in reality I am fairly open minded about things religous & philosophical. I mean I go home for x-mas and easter and go to church with the fam (Im not going to create some ruckus by not going, and the church really isnt that bad I see people I am friends w/ and what not) and if I ever got married, I might end up in an anglican/episcopalian church. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2002, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-americans-world-population-are-atheists/136342/18 "2002-11-13T09:07:08Z")
I see no difference between the terms “atheist” and “non-religious”. I would be comfortable labeling myself either way. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2002, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-americans-world-population-are-atheists/136342/19 "2002-11-13T09:24:36Z")
There is a difference. The classical, historical definition of “atheist” is one who believes that there is no God. (Yes, some people use the word differently nowadays, but that’s how it’s defined by _The Encyclopedia of Philosophy_ and _The Encyclopedia Brittanica_.) This is quite different from someone who is merely non-religious, since the non-religious might not simply have any convictions either way. Additionally, there are Buddhists who are quite religious, yet who do not believe in a deity. ---
**Author:** ![malthusia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@malthusia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malthusia)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2002, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-americans-world-population-are-atheists/136342/20 "2002-11-13T11:59:23Z")
The existance of any God is an internal matter to the mind of the individual. One may check off “Catholic” on forms that ask for religious identity. Yet at the same time in the back of many minds is that ever present notion “Did our God create us or was it vice versa”. There are probably many more atheists and non-religious than are willing to allow themselves to be counted. There is an underlying stigma to proclaiming yourself an atheist or non-religious in a world full of believers, even today. They wouldn’t want to step on any believers toes and get “burned at the stake”, so to speak. IMO I don’t think it’s a number than can be honestly counted. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-americans-world-population-are-atheists/136342.md?page=2)