There's a news story out there - dated today on the version I reached on the Gallup website - updating their periodic poll on belief in god in the US (using small g since they don't really define which god). I won't link it since I'm new and I think that's against the rules, but I wanted to throw it out there and make a couple of observations.
It shows 81% with a belief in "god" - generically defined. I was surprised it was that high, but it's down from 87% in 2017 and 92% in 2011. That's a pretty big and statistically significant drop in that short a time - consistent with what Shermer/Skeptic has put out there over time regarding the "nones". I'm thinking wider availability of information at a keystroke is key to this?
None of the lower-percentage categories are all that surprising (to me at least) - younger, single, childless, democrat, liberal, college graduate, etc. The age one was the most stark to me - 68% for ages 18-29, 88% for 50-64 - but those were down from 78% and 93% in 2013-2017. The church isn't "getting 'em young" quite as effectively anymore.
One thing that struck me the most - although specifically "do not believe in god" was 17% total, an additional 11% believe in a God that neither hears nor answers prayers. and another 28% in a God that hears but does not answer. I mean, I fall in the 17%, but used to fall in the 42% of "hears and answers". These other two intermediate categories are somewhat mysterious to me - I guess it's just my background, but what would be the point of those "gods"? I mean, taken this way, 56% of those surveyed believe there is no form of divine intervention.
It shows 81% with a belief in "god" - generically defined. I was surprised it was that high, but it's down from 87% in 2017 and 92% in 2011. That's a pretty big and statistically significant drop in that short a time - consistent with what Shermer/Skeptic has put out there over time regarding the "nones". I'm thinking wider availability of information at a keystroke is key to this?
None of the lower-percentage categories are all that surprising (to me at least) - younger, single, childless, democrat, liberal, college graduate, etc. The age one was the most stark to me - 68% for ages 18-29, 88% for 50-64 - but those were down from 78% and 93% in 2013-2017. The church isn't "getting 'em young" quite as effectively anymore.
One thing that struck me the most - although specifically "do not believe in god" was 17% total, an additional 11% believe in a God that neither hears nor answers prayers. and another 28% in a God that hears but does not answer. I mean, I fall in the 17%, but used to fall in the 42% of "hears and answers". These other two intermediate categories are somewhat mysterious to me - I guess it's just my background, but what would be the point of those "gods"? I mean, taken this way, 56% of those surveyed believe there is no form of divine intervention.
