ATHEISTS HAIL STUDY FINDING RECORD NUMBERS OF NONBELIEVERS IN US

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

For more information, please contact:
Ed Buckner, President 908-499-9200 (cell) or 770-803-5353 (office/fax) Dave Silverman, Communications Director 732-648-9333

ATHEISTS HAIL STUDY FINDING RECORD NUMBERS OF NONBELIEVERS IN US
 
An Atheist civil rights and advocacy group today hailed the findings of a national survey indicated that more Americans have "no religion."
 
According to the latest American Religion Identification Survey, fifteen percent of those asked told researchers they had no religious belief, a rise from 14.2 percent measured in 2001, and up from 8.2 percent found in 1990.  The report was released Monday by the The Program on Public Values at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn.  Over 54,000 persons were surveyed.
 
"Non-belief is alive and thriving in America," said Dr. Ed Buckner, President of American Atheists.  "The findings show that sectarian religion is clearly in decline, and that people are no longer afraid to admit that they embrace a secular philosophy."
 
Buckner noted that organized religion plays a diminished role in the lives of many people.  "Thirty percent of engaged couples said they did not want a religious wedding ceremony," noted Buckner. Twelve percent said they believed in some vague 'higher power," but not the personal or sectarian God of Christianity or Islam.
 
Dave Silverman, Communications Director for American Atheists, said that the growing ranks of non-religious Americans were becoming a significant force in politics.  "Atheists, humanists, freethinkers and other non-religious Americans are making their voices heard at the ballot box and in our nation's capital," said Silverman.  "We're slowly having an impact, and more people realize that you don't need to believe in a God or holy book to make positive contributions to our society."
 
For further information, contact:
* ED BUCKNER, President American Atheists  908-499-9200 (cell) or
770-803-5353 (office/fax)
* DAVE SILVERMAN, Communications Director 732-648-9333

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.
PO BOX 158
Cranford, NJ 07016
Tel.: (908) 276-7300
Fax: (908) 276-7402