The percentage of Americans with no religion has leveled off at about 29% in recent years. Nonreligious individuals often define themselves by what they are not, such as not belonging to a religion or not believing in God. Secular people define themselves by their embrace of a humanistic and scientific worldview. While many secular voters lean left, a notable number of nonreligious voters supported Donald Trump in the 2020 and 2024 elections.
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The percentage of Americans identifying as atheist, agnostic, or "nothing in particular" has plateaued at approximately 29% 1. Despite this leveling off, the political impact of this group is likely to increase due to its substantial size 1.
A key distinction exists between being "nonreligious" and "secular" 1. Nonreligious individuals are defined by their lack of religious affiliation or belief 1. Secular individuals, on the other hand, embrace a humanistic or scientific worldview 1.
The US population can be divided into four groups based on religious affiliation and worldview 1. These groups are Religionists (41%), Secularists (27%), Religious Secularists (14%), and Nonreligionists (18%) 1. Religionists are people of faith, while Secularists hold a secular worldview 1. Religious Secularists participate in religious communities but hold secular views 1. Nonreligionists lack both religious affiliation and a secular worldview 1.
Religionists and Secularists are the most politically engaged groups 1. Nonreligionists are the least politically engaged 1. Religionists tend to favor conservative politicians like Trump, while Secularists favor liberal politicians like Sanders 1. Nonreligionists show mixed ideological leanings, potentially open to populist appeals 1.
Secularists, who are typically liberal and politically active, could potentially form a "secular left" movement 1. Whether secular voters organize in a similar way to the religious right remains to be seen 1. The increasing secularization of America does not necessarily equate to a sharp shift towards the political left 1.
The Church addresses secularism's impact on societal values.
The Catholic Church recognizes the challenges posed by increasing secularism in public life and relativism in intellectual life . Secularism, understood as a worldview that excludes the need for God, can lead to a separation of faith from life, where individuals live "as if God did not exist" . This can result in a decline in religious practice and a weakening of the moral foundation of society .
Secularism's impact on societal values is a significant concern for the Church. When religion is excluded from the public square, it hinders collaboration for the progress of humanity and can lead to a domineering and aggressive political climate . Human rights risk being ignored, and society may become unjust to individuals and to God . The Church emphasizes that a just and free society requires respect for the natural law and the recognition of certain norms of behavior as valid for everyone .
To confront the challenges of secularism, the Church emphasizes the importance of reaffirming and actively pursuing her mission in the world . This involves promoting the intrinsic relationship between the Gospel and the natural law, as well as the pursuit of authentic human good . The Church also calls for a renewed focus on evangelization, catechesis, and preaching to present the Gospel as an integral way of life that offers true answers to human problems . Furthermore, the Church advocates for religious freedom and the right to bring the truths of faith to bear upon public life . It encourages Catholics to work together with people of other religious beliefs and with people of good will to advance society and promote peaceful coexistence .
The Church views secularism as a significant challenge to societal values, particularly when it leads to the exclusion of God from public life and a decline in moral principles. The Church's response involves a renewed commitment to evangelization, the promotion of religious freedom, and the call for collaboration among people of faith and goodwill to build a just and flourishing society.