Atheists are people who believe that god or gods (or other supernatural beings) are man-made constructs, myths and legends or who believe that these concepts are … 5 The vast majority of U.S. atheists say religion is not too or not at all important in their lives (93%) and that they seldom or never pray (97%). Pew Research Center telephone surveys conducted in 2018 and 2019 show that 4% of American adults say they are atheists when asked about their religious identity, up from 2% in 2009. Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World. Agnostics will often emphasize what they see as the unanswerability of 'the god question', while an atheist may not feel the question even deserves asking. There are atheists in urban, suburban, and rural communities and in every state of the nation. They are self-serving and have no beliefs to believe in. . storage of a human corpse or severed head, with the speculative hope that resurrection may be possible in the future. None of the atheists we surveyed, however, say they believe in “God as described in the Bible.”. Please note: Atheism does not require one to not believe in near-death or out-of-body experiences. [267] [268] [269] In addition, according to a 2016 Pew Research Center publication, 15% of French people, 45% of Americans, and 99% of Indonesians explicitly believe that a person must believe in God to be moral. In fact look at an entire library of non-fiction material. The full study is awaiting publication in Social Psychological and Personality Science journal but a pre-print version is available here. My thoughts. and I think the warmer weather will be good for us Americans, as there will be less snowstorms and we can also grow oranges in Alaska. So many people have so many misconceptions about atheism and nonbelief. Wow!! The so-called “Nones” are the fastest growing “religious” demographic in the United States. I stand for believing only things that are true. That is what an Atheists believes … That is kind of an odd way to phrase the question, honestly. 3 years ago. We´re just taught about Santa Claus, Toothfairy and God. Atheism is not an affirmative belief that there is no god nor does it answer any other question about what a person believes. Since modern day atheists include agnostics in their group, it is only reasonable that self identified agnostics be included, in any discussion about what "atheists" believe , according to the surveys. Since there is no official atheist organization, nailing down which description of atheism to use can be difficult. Atheists do believe things and they do believe in things. Some of the best debates we have ever had have been with fellow atheists. What do Atheists believe the Bible as? Instead, they focus on nature, science, and seek their own answers about existence and the universe. If your name is not written in the book of life, hell awaits. A dead person and a living person had all the same bits. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. 9 Most Americans (56%) say it is not necessary to believe in God to be moral, while 42% say belief in God is necessary to have good values, according to a 2017 survey. Atheists do not believe that Jesus was the son of God or in any way divine. What do you believe in? Theodicean atheists believe that the world as they experience it cannot be reconciled with the qualities commonly ascribed to God and gods by theologians. Not faith in God, obviously, but they do live by faith. About seven-in-ten U.S. atheists are men (68%). Atheists are not Vulcans. Why do some religious people take it personally when I say I'm an atheist? To complete the subscription process, please click the link in the email we just sent you. What happens when we die? They couldn’t be more wrong. It is simply a rejection of the assertion that there are gods. Atheists I find get very angry/defensive or just start acting silly in response to the question 'what do you believe in'. They flow into each other in different ways . Atheism is not an affirmative belief that there is no god nor does it answer any other question about what a person believes. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. Why do some religious people take it personally when I say I'm an atheist? Atheists believe that there is no higher being. Note: This is an update of a post originally published on Nov. 5, 2015. Not surprisingly, very few U.S. atheists (4%) said they found life’s meaning in spirituality. Don’t shy away from the term. They’re fluid. Fewer than one-in-five U.S. adults overall (17%) share this view. Don’t use those other terms to disguise your atheism or to shy away from a word that some think has a negative connotation. Atheists do not believe in any god. This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every persons position on topics equally. Atheists are very unlikely to believe in “luck,” since that is a kind of god-analog. I am not a trained philosopher and I do not fully fathom what the answer could be; Most people I meet during my trips have little knowledge in philosophy and it is therefore hard to explain my thoughts in simple terms (plus, we sometimes don't quite speak the same language). Tsun Tsu: 29: 6652: October 31, 2014 at 4:45 pm Last Post: Jenny A : What The Hell Do People Believe In If They Don't Believe In God? In recent surveys, the Pew Research Center has grouped atheists, agnostics, and the “unaffiliated” into one category. In Western Europe, where Pew Research Center surveyed 15 countries in 2017, nearly one-in-five Belgians (19%) identify as atheists, as do 16% in Denmark, 15% in France and 14% in the Netherlands and Sweden. This means atheists often disagree on many issues and ideas. © American Atheists, Inc. | 225 Cristiani St. Cranford NJ 07016 | (908) 276-7300. Atheism is too often defined incorrectly as a belief system. We are members of every race. Rachel February 11, 2013 at 3:24 pm. The definition of atheist is strictly the lack of belief in any deity. 8 Atheists may not believe religious teachings, but they are quite informed about religion. Why do atheists believe in religion? At the same time, some of those who identify with a religion (for example, say they are Catholic or Jewish) say they do not believe in God. Like Americans, Europeans in many countries are more likely to say they do not believe in God than they are to identify as atheists, including two-thirds of Czechs and at least half of Swedish (60%), Belgian (54%) and Dutch adults (53%) who say they do not believe in God. Many people have made up their minds and will not be moved. The atheists’ creation story 1. by Dominic Statham. Some atheists believe that there is no evidence that any god exists and that therefore there is no reason to believe in a god. Despite the fact that atheism is not a religion, atheism is protected by many of the same Constitutional rights that protect religion. An atheist is someone who does not believe in any god. Atheists do you believe in cryonics.? In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. We don't have a codified list of beliefs like you people. Did you know that atheists live by faith? 3 Atheists make up a larger share of the population in many European countries than they do in the U.S. Please note, however, that not all atheists accept all of these tenets. That, however, does not mean that atheism is itself a religion, only that our sincerely held (lack of) beliefs are protected in the same way as the religious beliefs of others. While there are some religions that are atheistic (certain sects of Buddhism, for example), that does not mean that atheism is a religion. – user9166 Jul 31 '17 at 23:07 | show 1 more comment 10 Answers 10 Why do you not know what an atheist is‽ ATHEIST - someone who does not believe in a God – any God – not just the Christian one. It just means that the assertion that gods exist has left you unconvinced. Atheists also don't believe in heaven or hell (obviously if they believe that there isn't an afterlife). Those without Jesus will face the final judgment of God. Atheists do not believe in God. Here’s why: Here’s why: You can only reasonably consider that the future has been foretold, if you do not know what the prediction is before it occurs . It answers a different question. I was wondering when someone would say … The fact that dictionaries define Atheism as “there is no God” betrays the (mono)theistic influence. just a memory? Embrace it. Granted, for theists, their god might be so important and vital that not believing in it may seem just like not believing in anything at all … Update: @ HUH? Look at people, look at logic, look in the mirror at yourself. Soul, spirit, and body remains. Since some atheists do not share those beliefs, it is an odd way to put it. One of the many things I 'believe in' is equality for ALL consenting adults. Ace Otana Rebel Religious Views: De-facto Atheist, Secular Humanist. Why don't atheists believe in Near-Death or Out-of-Body Experiences? This particular atheist doesn’t believe in fortune telling; nor does he believe in gods, spirits, ghosts, and the efficacy of snake oil. At the same time, many do not see a contradiction between atheism and pondering their place in the world. I do not believe there is a heaven. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. But even if a real heaven did exist, and for some reason a god chose who went and who didn't, if that god is a good and noble being he will judge me for my value as a human being, and not for my belief in him. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts. We are as unique as our fingerprints. And religion is very magic-minded. Atheist Answer: No. Hemant Mehta (http://www.friendlyatheist.com) Join the conversation. The second quote is even more ridiculous. Do the majority of atheists believe death as our mere extinction? They do not go to church, thinks that qualifies them a "non believe", despite their We should be using the terminology that is most accurate and that answers the question that is actually being asked. (+1) 202-857-8562 | Fax Atheists do not believe that Jesus was the son of God or in any way divine. Those words are perfectly fine as a self-identifier, but we strongly advocate using the word that people understand: Atheist. They’re plural. Show more answers (18) Still have questions? Most atheists do not consider themselves anti-theists but merely non-theists. GO. Wishing that there was an afterlife, or a creator god, or a specific god doesn’t mean you’re not an atheist. The faith of an atheist is hard to shake. It is true that the only thing all atheists have in common is the lack of belief in God(s), but most atheist will happily tell you what they do believe in. Atheism is often discussed in the same breath as "agnosticism", a term generally used to describe someone who does not believe in any god, but remains open to the possibility. In Pew Research Center’s 2019 religious knowledge survey, atheists were among the best-performing groups, answering an average of about 18 out of 32 fact-based questions correctly, while U.S. adults overall got an average of roughly 14 questions right. This study was designed to overcome the stigma associated with atheism and the potential for closeted atheists to abstain from “outing” themselves even when speaking anonymously to pollsters. Back in the past, we had huge difficulty working out why some things were dead, and some things were alive. Some people who describe themselves as atheists also say they believe in some kind of higher power or spiritual force. Without the (mono)theistic influence, the definition would at least read “there are no gods.”. A recent survey from University of Kentucky psychologists Will Gervais and Maxine Najle found that as many as 26% of Americans may be atheists. Atheists also are more likely to be white (78% vs. 66% of the general public) and highly educated: About four-in-ten atheists (43%) have a college degree, compared with 27% of the general public. . Atheists also believe that there isn't an afterlife, and the soul ceases to exist. MountainsWinAgain: 36: 5856: May 30, 2014 at 3:22 am Last Post: Rampant.A.I. Agnostic isn’t just a “weaker” version of being an atheist. Many atheists think that the question “what is the meaning of life?” is just as silly as “what is the meaning of a cup of coffee”, and do not believe that life has any meaning or purpose, nor that it requires one: it simply is. [20] The dead person might look fine. Older dictionaries define atheism as “a belief that there is no God.” Clearly, theistic influence taints these definitions. Look at a shelf of science and biology text books. 2 The literal definition of “atheist” is “a person who does not believe in the existence of a god or any gods,” according to Merriam-Webster. In fact, the Religious Landscape Study shows that atheists are more likely than U.S. Christians to say they often feel a sense of wonder about the universe (54% vs. 45%). 1 The share of Americans who identify as atheists has increased modestly but significantly in the past decade. Be full of blood. Jump ahead to these sections: Others find Self-identified atheists also tend to be aligned with the Democratic Party and with political liberalism. For example, seven-in-ten U.S. atheists say religion’s influence is declining in American public life, and that this is a good thing (71%), according to a 2019 survey. They actually believe MORE than a Theist. But that does not mean they do not hold strong moral or religious beliefs! This is another grift to separate gullible fools like you from their money. However, do believe football is a boring sport. 6 Where do atheists find meaning in life? Atheists exist across the political spectrum. In recent surveys, the Pew Research Center has grouped atheists, agnostics, and the “unaffiliated” into one category. What happens to atheists, non-believers, agnostics, and those who have not heard about Jesus when they die? I do not believe there is a heaven. A majority of atheists (70%) also say churches and other religious organizations do more harm than good in society, and an even larger share (93%) say religious institutions have too much influence in U.S. politics. 8 years ago. (Overall, 10% of American adults share this view.) So be it. Some groups will use words like Agnostic, Humanist, Secular, Bright, Freethinker, or any number of other terms to self identify. An additional 5% of Americans call themselves agnostics, up from 3% a decade ago. 4 0. John Gray explores fixed idea, unquestioning atheism in his new book Seven Types of Atheism Tue, Apr 24, 2018, 05:00. Although it's not as common as it once was, there are still people who believe that atheists both believe in and worship Satan, the evil opponent of God. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. I stand for believing only things that are true. 7 In many cases, being an atheist isn’t just about personally rejecting religious labels and beliefs – most atheists also express negative views when asked about the role of religion in society. But they had a hey-day with my question (same as Therefore, there is no one but themselves they are accountable to. Older dictionaries define atheism as “a belief that there is no God.” Clearly, theistic influence taints these d… Defining generations: Where Millennials end and Generation Z begins, In past elections, U.S. trailed most developed countries in voter turnout, NATO seen in a positive light by many across 10 member states, U.S. Public Now Divided Over Whether To Get COVID-19 Vaccine, What the 2020 electorate looks like by party, race and ethnicity, age, education and religion, rise of religiously unaffiliated Americans. But even if a real heaven did exist, and for some reason a god chose who went and who didn't, if that god is a good and noble being he will judge me for my value as a human being, and not for my Many atheists think that the question “what is the meaning of life?” is just as silly as “what is the meaning of a cup of coffee”, and do not believe that life has any meaning or purpose, nor that it requires one: it simply is. Arif was born a Muslim but he knows there are around 5 billion people in the world who believe in different religions and, Often, In different gods. This is because atheists do not have a common belief system, sacred scripture or atheist Pope. I've tried to list some of them below. The climate may be getting warmer but it has nothing to do with carbon emissions. I've encountered many atheists who claim that atheism is not a belief system while others say it is. This is an almost literal demonization of atheists since the primary servants of Satan are always depicted as literal demons. Atheists also were more likely than Americans overall to describe finances and money, creative pursuits, travel, and leisure activities as meaningful. Some atheists do not even believe he existed. It cannot be denied that there is a strong correlation between disbelief in gods and disbelief in the supernatural generally, which would include souls and spirits. An idiot is one who does not understand the difference between alive and dead. Only about 5% of people call themselves atheists, but if you ask about belief in gods, 11% say they do not believe in gods. I think the same is true of atheism and religion. It is very similar to people who say "God likes X, God hates Y" and appear to be just giving their own opinion. why do atheists so stubborn to understand that trump was right to pull us out of the paris accord agreement. Not everyone these days believes in God. Pew separates out atheists from agnostics and the non-religious, but that is primarily a function of self-identification. I cannot imagine being happier than I have been already. Atheism by strict definition is the lack of a belief in gods, but it's generally extended to the lack of a belief in any supernatural entity or substance. Why do religious people so often think atheists believe in nothing and stand for nothing? To be clear: Atheism is not a disbelief in gods or a denial of gods; it is a lack of belief in gods. In principle, an atheist could believe in fairies, although the thinking that leads to unbelief in gods, in most cases leads to unbelief in other things that cannot be shown to be real. Hemant Mehta (http://www.friendlyatheist.com) Join the conversation. The number of atheists who believe in souls, ghosts, or some sort of life after physical death is probably small — especially in the West. And the vast majority of U.S. atheists fit this description: 81% say they do not believe in God or a higher power or in a spiritual force of any kind. Then there is the issue of all those people atheists claim as being fellow non believers. We have more than 170 affiliates and local partners nationwide. 4 In the U.S., atheists are mostly men and are relatively young, according to the 2014 Religious Landscape Study. It is a difficult question to answer, because, unlike most religions, atheists are bound by their disinclination or disbelief in ideology, whereas most people who subscribe to a set of religious beliefs have a … In other regions surveyed by the Center, including Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa, atheists generally are much rarer. Posted: November 5th 2010 . Mark Spence is the Senior Vice President of Living Waters and the Dean of the online School of Biblical Evangelism, with … Atheists Believe In Luck Of course atheists believe in luck. Though it’s easy to get lost in this definition, atheism defines itself as a lack of belief in gods. U.S. adults gave atheists an average rating of 49, identical to the rating they gave Muslims (49) and colder than the average given to Jews (63), Catholics (60) and evangelical Christians (56). Atheism is about what you believe. Look at a shelf of encyclopedias. RE: What do Atheists believe the Bible as? Atheists only: Do you believe in Absolute/Universal Truth? Those people are atheists, whether they choose to use the word or not. Since modern day atheists include agnostics in their group, it is only reasonable that self identified agnostics be included, in any discussion about what "atheists" believe So: What do atheists believe? "What do atheists believe in?" Try freezing a dead embryo and see if the result will be the same, dummy. Like a majority of Americans, most atheists mentioned “family” as a source of meaning when Pew Research Center asked an open-ended question about this in a 2017 survey. Atheists were at least as knowledgeable as Christians on Christianity-related questions – roughly eight-in-ten in both groups, for example, know that Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus – and they were also twice as likely as Americans overall to know that the U.S. Constitution says “no religious test” shall be necessary to hold public office. To be clear: Atheism is not a disbelief in gods or a denial of gods; it is a lack of belief in gods. That's just my belief. i was born in 1993, so would you guys believe when i die, id go back to the state i was in 1992? The General Theory of Evolution (GTE) is the atheists’ creation story. Atheists come in a variety of shapes, colors, beliefs, convictions, and backgrounds. The first half of you're secondary question indicates you're a troll. Atheists DO believe something. At the same time, roughly one-in-five self-described atheists (18%) say they do believe in some kind of higher power. An atheist is someone who doesn’t believe in religion or a god. Therefore, THEY have assumed the properties of God as they have attributed god-like attributes to themselves. They do not like them, but they are stuck with them. A 2019 Pew Research Center survey asked Americans to rate groups on a “feeling thermometer” from 0 (as cold and negative as possible) to 100 (the warmest, most positive possible rating). So: One thing is for sure: Along with the rise of religiously unaffiliated Americans – many of whom believe in God – there has been a corresponding increase in the number of atheists. Similarly, many “interfaith” groups will include atheists. It's just rare for atheists to believe in them, so this article will run on the assumption that they don't. One thought on “ Question: How do Atheists/agnostics understand suffering and evil? If you stare at the sky looking for the Eye the toothe fairy might bring you an Easter bunny. Usually, scientific observation as the ultimate arbiter of truth. But the European country with perhaps the biggest share of atheists is the Czech Republic, where a quarter of adults identify that way. Posted: October 31st 2010. brian thomson www. But atheists were far more likely than Christians to describe hobbies as meaningful or satisfying (26% vs. 10%). That said, as a general rule people who understand scientific methodology and evidence-based reasoning will tend to doubt any supernatural entity. It is often hard for me to answer this question because. Here are some key facts about atheists in the United States and around the world: Key findings about Americans’ belief in God, Among religious ‘nones,’ atheists and agnostics know the most about religion, Why America’s ‘nones’ don’t identify with a religion, Unlike their Central and Eastern European neighbors, most Czechs don’t believe in God, Why people with no religion are projected to decline as a share of the world’s population. Those who believed and received Christ will go to heaven to be with Jesus after they die . If you lack an active belief in gods, you are an atheist. 2 The literal definition of “atheist” is “a person who does not believe in the existence of a god or any gods,” according to Merriam-Webster. What are you looking for? Clearly, using your logic, they are also confused by the term. Where do atheists get their values? The only common thread that ties all atheists together is a lack of belief in gods. It is simply a rejection of the assertion that there are gods. It enables us to have a wid… Do atheists believe in ghosts, spirits, karma etc.? Atheists do not believe in supernatural beings, and that includes their own souls when they die. By “believing in religion,” I mean recognizing a significant categorical distinction between “religious” phenomena, and those that are “nonreligious” or “secular.” What do Atheists believe? I can only speak for myself, of course, but my short answer is “Heck, No”. For more than 55 years, American Atheists has fought to protect the absolute separation of religion from government and to elevate atheists and atheism in our nation’s public and political discourse. Without ambiguity we couldn’t deal with the world. level 1 Or that they aren’t sure what they believe. Measuring atheism is complicated. Nevertheless, the following are some definitions offered by atheists. Some atheists do not even believe he existed. They argue that an omniscient , omnipotent , and omnibenevolent God is not compatible with a world where there is evil and suffering , and where divine love is hidden from many people. Gift Guides Black Friday Deals PS5 I stand for equal rights, equal opportunities and non-discrimination on grounds of race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, age, disability and more. It's not like their god is the ONLY god I don't believe in! You can not, from a modern day atheist perspective, only consider hard line atheists. Atheists are those who have not yet discovered God or opened their hearts to their Creator. They do not like them, but they are stuck with them. Where atheists differ from theists is that atheists do not believe in any gods. Do I think they can cut a humans head off and revive them at a later date, not only no, but hell no. How can you turn your back on true happiness? Soul, karma, life after death have nothing to do with atheism. It depends on what you mean. Being an atheist doesn’t mean you’re sure about every theological question, have answers to the way the world was created, or how evolution works. Acknowledging this is a belief is somehow difficult, but it is ultimately an axiom for most atheists that cannot be proved and is not open to questioning. The way you ask these questions makes me curious, do you think that all positive emotions are caused by a connection to God, and that if you don’t believe in God then you don’t have positive emotions? They actually believe MORE than a Theist. (+1) 202-419-4300 | Main Anonymous. It depends on what you mean. If you are looking for a community, we strongly recommend reaching out to an affiliate in your area. How atheists can still believe in God? Do I believe in cryonics, yes, it is a thing. Posts: 3872 Threads: 39 Joined: August 25, 2008 Reputation: 43 #31. Patrick Freyne. climates change all the time. Atheists believe that deists have gone mad. 10 Americans feel less warmly toward atheists than they do toward members of most major religious groups. First let me say Atheists dont say ” We dont believe in anything!” Atheists DO believe something. which id personally prefer. Embryos are living organisms at a particular stage of development. Atheists do not believe in magic. OR do some believe in Reincarnation. Why do religious people so often think atheists believe in nothing and stand for nothing? This, again, does not mean that atheism is a religious belief. Non-atheists, and possibly even fellow atheists, seem to implicitly view atheists as prone to exhibit immoral behaviors ranging from mass murder to not paying at a restaurant. The median age for atheists is 34, compared with 46 for all U.S. adults. In neighboring Slovakia, 15% identify as atheists, although in the rest of Central and Eastern Europe, atheists have a smaller presence, despite the historical influence of the officially atheist Soviet Union. And I'm not a full believer! What Makes Hardened Atheists Believe in God? And the vast majority of U.S. atheists fit this description: 81% say they do not believe in God or a higher power or in a spiritual force of any kind. About a third of American atheists say they think about the meaning and purpose of life at least weekly (35%), and that they often feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and well-being (31%). (+1) 202-419-4372 | Media Inquiries. July 17, 2011 at 2:57 pm (July 17, 2011 at 2:49 pm) reverendjeremiah Wrote: Cool signature Ace.. Im a major Trekie as well. We should use the term that binds all of us together. We are members of the LGBTQ* community. About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. What happens when we die? Being an atheist is about what you believe and don’t believe, not about what you wish to be true or would find comforting. To the last thing, everyone is born atheist. Other atheists were taught to believe in a god or gods but decided it didn’t make sense so they abandoned their belief. This kind of person rejects even the most compelling apologetics and is 1. Agnosticism is about what you know. Gray chose his title with reference to Seven Types of Ambiguity by the poet, critic and “misotheist” William Empson, in which Empson said “that far from ambiguity being a defect in language, it’s what makes it so rich. When people fall on great fortune or have something good happen to them, many people give credit to two things, God or luck. So, do atheists believe in being able to tell the future? ~ 6 1. If you call yourself a humanist, a freethinker, a bright, or even a “cultural Catholic” and lack belief in a god, you are an atheist. Santa Clause will send you an angel to explain why there are yellow hearts, blue moons, and sugary diamonds. Non existance? Atheists are people who believe that god or gods (or other supernatural beings) are man-made constructs, myths and legends or who believe that these concepts are not meaningful. 1615 L St. NW, Suite 800Washington, DC 20036USA Atheists do not believe in God so they will They couldn’t be more wrong. Most atheists are rational people who do not believe in afterlife, deities, spirits, ghosts or any "supernatural" elements. Let’s look at one scenario. by Fredric Heidemann February 19, 2018 Almost everyone will encounter a rigid atheist at some point. As with the Bible, it begins with creatio ex nihilo (creation from nothing)—and in the atheists’ view there really was nothing (and certainly no God) to act as first cause. But in many other parts of the world, nearly everyone says that a person must believe in God to be moral, including 99% in Indonesia and Ghana and 98% in Pakistan, according to a 2013 Pew Research Center international survey. They can follow any religion that does not have a god and there are a lot of those! Seriously, atheists don't hold chemistry, biology, physics, or any other theory/hypothesis to be FACT. The only absolute common one to which they hold is that they do not believe in … Even more people say that their definition of “god” is simply a unifying force between all people. Atheism is too often defined incorrectly as a belief system. Atheism is born of rational skepticism, and it would be hypocritical to be skeptical of religion yet accept any other form of supernaturalism. Published: 12 July 2016 (GMT+10) iStockphoto. It's not like their god is the ONLY god I don't believe in! In fact, most atheists would not use the term “soul,” or even “spirit,” preferring instead to use terms like “consciousness” or In other wealthy countries, smaller shares tend to say that belief in God is essential for good morals, including just 15% in France. They’re multiple. But pretty much everyone believes in religion. Be quite warm. To put it in a more humorous way: If atheism is a religion, then not collecting stamps is a hobby. Here are some of their responses.