AMERICAN ATHEISTS, INC.
http://www.atheists.org
http://www.americanatheist.org

February 27, 2008


              ATHEISTS HAIL FINDINGS OF PEW SURVEY
                OF AMERICAN RELIGIOUS LANDSCAPE

Americans who embrace no particular religious faith can take comfort
from a new survey released by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life 
which takes stock of current demographics about American beliefs. 
American Atheists President Ellen Johnson said that the results of the
new study show that those unaffiliated with religious groups and
ideology now represent 16.1% of the population.

"Many of these people consider themselves to be skeptics when it comes
to religion, and use terms like Atheist, Freethinker, Humanist, Bright,
Rationalist or some other label to describe their lifestyle and personal
philosophy," said Johnson.  "The study indicates that the segment of
Americans 'unaffiliated with any particular religion' has grown faster
than any other category."

The survey of 35,000 adults find that Protestantism is on the brink of
becoming "a minority religion," and that faith groups are competing for
followers in  a "competitive market place."  More than 1/4 of American
believers have abandoned their childhood religious beliefs in search of
something else.

"We're encouraged that as a group non-religious Americans are thriving,
and that more believers are obviously questioning the dogmas of their
religion and starting to think for themselves."

Dave Silverman, Communications Director for American Atheists, said that
the study confirms the growing diversity of the American religious
landscape, and the need for government to remain neutral in respect to
religion.

"Record numbers of people seem to be questioning their faith.  The best
response from government is to treat religious belief as a private
affair, not favor one religion over another, and not favor religion over
non-religion."

Results of the survey can be found at http://www.pewforum.org .

AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for
Atheists; works for the total separation of church and state; and
addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.

American Atheists, Inc.
P. O. Box 5733
Parsippany, NJ 07054-6733
Tel.: (908) 276-7300
Fax: (908) 276-7402