New research shows the religious landscape in the United States is changing as more and more people are starting to identify as "religiously unaffiliated."
A report by Pew Research Center and the General Social Survey shows about 28% of U.S. adults describe themselves as atheists, agnostics or "nothing in particular" when asked about their religion. It's the second-largest religious group in the survey, behind Protestants at 40%. Catholics, meantime, account for 20% of the religious population.
"At Pew Research Center, we get lots of questions about this group, often called the 'nones,'" the report noted. "What do 'nones' believe? Are they opposed to religion? What are their views about science? Is their growth good or bad for society, and why?"
The survey data shows most "nones" believe in God or another higher power, but very few go to religious services regularly. Most "nones" say religion does some harm, but many also think it does some good. However, they are not uniformly anti-religious.
"Not all 'nones' are nonbelievers," the report pointed out. "They are far less likely than religiously affiliated Americans to say they believe in God 'as described in the Bible,' but most do believe in God or some other higher power. Just 29% reject the notion that there is any higher power or spiritual force in the universe."
When asked directly why they are not religious, two-thirds of "nones" say they question a lot of religious teachings, 47% say they dislike religious organizations, and 30% say bad experiences they've had with religious people help explain why they are nonreligious, according to the report.
Most "nones" reject the idea that science can explain everything, but they express more positive views of science than religiously affiliated Americans do.
According to the report, religious "nones" are less civically engaged and socially connected than people who identify with a religion.
"On average, they are less likely to vote, less likely to have volunteered lately, less satisfied with their local communities and less satisfied with their social lives," the report noted.
The vast majority of "nones" say it is possible to be moral and have good values without believing in God, according to the survey.
"When asked how they decide between right and wrong, 83% of 'nones' say the desire to avoid hurting other people is a key factor. And 82% of 'nones' say logic and reason are extremely or very important when they decide between right and wrong," the report stated.