Is there a growing number of Atheists or have they always made up about the same portion of the population?

Question

It seems like there is an exponentially growing number of Atheists in the general population now a days. Does it just seem like that or are there really more? In history I don't feel like we hear about Atheists or non-religious like in the 50's for instance. (although the topic might not have been relevant to write about)

Thanks for the answers guys!

Answer 1

Growth. See Harris poll

Answer 2

It is not until recently (the last 30 years) that there has been a divide between science and religion. It used to be (like Einstein and Newton) that scientists did their research to further their understanding of God and the afterlife. Now those views produced by science doesn't agree with what religous leaders want to hear, creating a rift between the two.

So yeah I would say there is more atheists today than even the 1950s.

Also remember the catholic church used to be powerful in the governments of Europe, this is also no longer so.

Not to mention the internet. The church used to be the greatest progenitor of information across the world. Not everyone could read and write. So the churches used to control most books in circulation. Now anybody can learn anything. People have a lot more choices and views in the world today.

I think slowly but surley religion is falling out of mainstream and that their is and will continue to be a growing number of atheists.

Answer 3

There are more atheists and other types of non-christians today - especially in Europe.

There are a heck of a lot more neo-pagans than there were just 10 years ago. Neo-paganism grew at a rate of about 800% over the last 20 years, (ie There are nine times more pagans now than 20 years ago). I don't remember the exact numbers, but it was something like 50,000 back in the late 80's and now it is over 450,000. Those numbers only include the neo-pagans that were willing to indicate their religion on questionaires. There are still a lot more neo-pagans in the "broom-closet".

If paganism kept growing at this rate, the whole US would be pagan within the next 100 years.

Personally, I suspect that the growth of a lot of alternative belief systems in the west is largely due to the internet. People can now easily access information on a lot of subjects that they may have been unwilling to ask people about in the past. They can also more easily connect with like-minded people.

Answer 4

Back in the Medieval days everybody was very religious. No one ever questioned their priest. This 100 % religious believers, pretty much held until the last couple of generations. Right now, religion is loosing grounds fast in Europe, and here in America, it's holding on somewhat better, but still loosing many more members than it's gaining.
People are beginning to demand clear understandable answers. The church is stuck with explainations that are worn out . The Christian church bases its entire belief on the trinity which is non-understandable, non-explanable, non-believable.
My opinion is that if the church doesn't come up with something more than it has used and is using - - - the end is in sight.

Answer 5

I have seen censuses that show that atheists only make up a small percentage of the American population (around 10% I believe) but that number seems off to me. It seems as if there are many, many more atheists in this country. I'm not sure why the studies show that the percentage is so low, perhaps many of us are not as open about our beliefs (or lack of).

Answer 6

About the same 1 to 3% of the US population but that number is probably smaller then that. Our government does not track religious beliefs. Personally I think atheists are less the 1% and Deists are about 2%.

Answer 7

Throughout history it has been dangerous or even fatal not to profess belief in the prevailing religion in a particular country.
Now it is not quite so dangerous to profess alternative beliefs or disbelief and so more atheists are 'coming out' without fear of an Inquisition or burning at the stake or genocide.

Answer 8

It is growing. 200 years ago it would have been odd to be an atheist with no other explanation. There were deists. Just because it is out there people will start to accept it more now.

Answer 9

Well...Atheism, like homosexuality, was considered a taboo, no one really spoke about it..those who did were branded as outcasts or were just left alone. There a LOT more Atheists than those who publicly announce it...all because that they are afraid that they might lose there, sig. other (it happened sadly enough) job (happened) reputation, or any number of things, so they would keep quiet about it, then and now. I find it saddening that the ones who used to be prosecuted by the Romans, are now prosecuting anyone and everyone who are not of their beliefs...

Answer 10

the 50s were a time of extreme censorship, so the actual proceedings of Atheism were not reported.

Thats not to say it wasn't present.
Teenage pregnancies out of "wedlock" were far higher then than they are now, but you wouldn't guess that from the media of the era.

There has always been atheists, probably since the spawn of Adam. Its not new, and its arguments are not orignial. The atheists now however lack the poetry and grace of the Carvaka indian atheists of the late middle ages.