The religiosity index represents the percentage of the population who consider themselves to be “religious,” whether they attend places of worship or not, “not religious,” or a convinced atheist.

The study made some interesting observations:

1. Poor people are more religious than rich people. People with low incomes are 17% more religious than people with high incomes.

2. Globally, the number of people identifying as religious fell by 9% from 2005 to 2011, while the number of people identifying as atheists increased by 3%.

3. Four countries experienced a decline in religiosity among their populations, which increased by more than 20% between 2005 and 2012. In France and Switzerland the number of religious people decreased by 21%, in Ireland by 22%, in Vietnam by 23%.

• Ghana - 96% religious

According to the 2000 census, Ghana is home to 68.8% Christians, 15.9% Muslims, 8.5% followers of traditional cults, and 0.7% others.

• Nigeria - 93% religious

The majority of Nigerians are Muslims - more than 50%, Protestants - 33%, Catholics - 15%

• Armenia-92% religious

Religiously, the majority of the believing population of Armenia (94%) are Christians.

• Fiji - 92% religious

Christians - 64.5%, Hindus - 27.9%, Muslims - 6.3%, Sikhs - 0.3%.

• Macedonia - 90% religious

Christians are the majority in the Republic of Macedonia (64.7%), Muslims make up 33.3% of the population.

• Romania - 89% religious

Not in Romania official religion, however, the vast majority of the population are Orthodox Christians – 86.8%.

• Iraq - 88% religious

The majority of the Iraqi population is Muslim. According to some sources, Shiites in Iraq represent 65% of the population, Sunnis - 35%

• Kenya - 88% religious

Religions in Kenya are Protestant 45%, Catholic 33%, Muslim 10%, aboriginal cults 10%, other 2%.

• Peru - 86% religious

According to the 2007 census, Peru's religions are Catholic 81.3%, Evangelical 12.5%, other 3.3%.

• Brazil - 85% religious

According to the 2010 census, about 64% of the country's population are adherents of the Roman Catholic Church, about 22% of all residents profess Protestantism.

• Ireland - 10% atheists

In Ireland, Christianity is the predominant religion.

• Australia - 10% atheists

Christianity is the predominant faith of Australia - 63.9% of the population. Australia's religious minorities also practice Buddhism (2.1% of the population), Islam (1.7%), Hinduism (0.7%) and Judaism (0.4%). 2% percent of the population stated that they adhere to other religions.

• Iceland - 10% atheists

Main denomination Iceland– Christianity - 92.2% of the total population of the country.

• Austria - 10% atheists

Among religions in Austria, the most common is Catholicism. According to the 2001 census, 73.6% of the country's population considered themselves Catholics, 4.7% - Protestants (Lutherans)

• Holland - 14% atheists

Holland is a secular state with no state religion. However, there is freedom of religion in the country. Historically, Christianity predominates in the country. 43.4% consider themselves Christians.

• Germany - 15% atheists

The majority of Germans are Christians, making up 64% of the country's population.

• South Korea- 15% atheists

The main religions in South Korea are traditional Buddhism and Christianity, which has recently entered the country.

• France - 29% atheists

Until recently, it was believed that France is the only country in the world where the absolute majority of the population are atheists (57%). The percentage of French atheists has decreased due to the flow of immigrants

• Czech Republic - 30% atheists

The Czech Republic is a traditionally Catholic country. But after 40 years of communism, the Czechs became atheists.

• Japan - 31% atheists

Buddhists and Shintoists make up, according to some estimates, up to 84-96% of the population

• China - 47% atheists

The main religions in China are Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism.

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As the statistics of atheists show, their number is increasing every year. The number of non-believers usually depends on the level in the country. At the same time, in different countries the percentage of atheists differs.

Believers often dream of health and fidelity. What do atheists believe? By definition, an atheist is a person who denies the existence of God. They are convinced that there cannot be otherworldly forces. Atheists believe that a school should be built instead of a church. For them, the material side of life, career growth, and prosperity are more important. Religious people also dream of living comfortably, but they think about it less often.

Religion brings us closer to moral ideal, spirituality. Awareness helps to let go of problems and start dreaming. Believers know that after death another life awaits them. Whereas every seventh atheist believes that there is no need to dream.

The core belief of atheists is that there is no objective reason to believe in the existence of God.

According to research by British scientists, the level of intelligence is higher among people who consider themselves not religious. Historically, the existence of otherworldly forces was questioned by more educated individuals. The work of Florida psychologist Todd Shackelford confirms the veracity of the studies mentioned. Its conclusions are based on the results of the largest studies over the past hundred years. Practice has shown that more educated people are less likely to turn to. But does this mean that they are more to the right?

How atheistic beliefs are formed

The appearance of certain beliefs is imprinted from the past. Children raised in a religious home will believe in the existence of God. They have been accustomed to going to church since childhood. A person whose upbringing had no place for religious beliefs does not believe in God and will grow up an atheist. If you tell an atheist about the existence of God, he will smile.

Scientists are trying to determine the conditions influencing the increase in the number of non-believers. Religion is attractive because it gives a certain sense of security in a world full of uncertainties. Demand in countries with high levels economic development does not arise.

In addition to the above aspects, the reasons for being an atheist lie in the economic situation. As atheist statistics show, in countries with a low standard of living, people are more likely to turn to faith. The following principle is observed: the lower the standard of living, the more religious. IN developed countries turn to God for help less and attend churches less often.

If we take this factor as the basis for our beliefs, then in the richest countries of the world there should be no believers at all. However, in Denmark, where very high level life and social security of citizens in 2010 was almost 83%. Consequently, the previous conclusions of the American psychologist look a little strange.

According to data in 2007, America was 51.3% Protestant and 23.9% Catholic. However, it is difficult to argue with the fact that in poor countries the number of believers is greater:

How many non-believers are there in the USSR?

Anti-religious propaganda in the USSR was carried out along with the popularization scientific knowledge. The increase in the number of non-believers was part of the country's ideology. The Institute of Scientific Atheism was created, which existed from 1964 to 1991. In Soviet schools they explained that there is no place for religion and believers, explaining this by ordinary ignorance.

Percentage of non-believers in the Russian Federation

How many atheists are there in Russia according to statistics? There is no reliable data, since people understand the term “atheism” differently. According to sociological surveys conducted in Russia in 2012, almost 13% of people were not religious.

The Russian non-governmental organization Levada Center states that atheists numbered only 5% in 2012. And citizens who do not consider themselves to be of any particular religion – 10%. In 2013, FOM conducted another survey. According to his results, the statistics of atheists included 25% of non-believers.

A study by sociologists to determine the level of religiosity of the majority of Russians on a scale from 0 to 10 points stopped in the middle. When conducting a survey in Ukraine, similar data were obtained.

According to a study conducted by VTsIOM in 2016, statistics of atheists show a decrease in the number of non-believers compared to 1991. If we compare with how many atheists there were then, then in 2016 their number decreased by 7%.

Among Soviet and Russian celebrities there are famous atheists - V. Ginzburg, S. Dorenko, V. Pozner. And V. Ginzburg opposed the introduction of discipline into the school course - the basis Orthodox culture. Russian journalist S. Sidorenko often makes anti-religious statements.

Percentage of atheists in countries

California researcher Phil Zuckerman states that almost 85% of Sweden's citizens are non-believers. Statistics of atheists in the world demonstrate high numbers of non-believers, characteristic of Japan, France, and Denmark. The number of believers in the United States decreased by 7%. The percentage of non-religious citizens is demonstrated by statistics of atheists in different countries:

The researcher believes that the number of unbelievers on earth is increasing. Data taken from Gallup research. The number of atheists in the world was analyzed for the period from 2005 to 2011. More than 50 thousand people from 57 countries participated in the study. According to the results, the number of non-believers in the world increased by 13%. Statistics of atheists and believers are presented in the diagram:

conclusions

To summarize, we can say that the question of faith remains open. These figures poorly reveal the essence of the problem. Moreover, the number of believers significantly exceeds the number of people who deny the existence of God. And arguments regarding Divine reality surround us every day (Numbers 14-21).

The popularity of religions around the world is slowly but surely declining. For the first time in history, the fact that Norway lives more people who do not believe in God than those who do - 39 percent of atheists versus 37 percent of believers.

Research has shown that in 2014, nearly twice as many Americans as in 1980 said they did not believe in God, another five times less people pray. Researchers believe that society owes such a radical shift in religiosity to the millennial generation.

The map below shows the countries with the highest big amount people who consider themselves “convinced atheists.”

Yet despite the worldwide trend toward fewer believers, few countries have more than 20 percent of their citizens who readily and completely reject the concept of divinity.

Here are six of the most atheist countries world, excluding Norway:

1. China

Today, China has the highest percentage of all countries in the world - even more than half - of convinced atheists. According to Win/Gallup, between 40 and 49.9 percent of Chinese say they do not consider themselves agnostic when we're talking about about belief in a higher power.

Communism, under which China's ruling party has ruled the country since 1949, views religion as a means of oppressing the proletariat.

Mao Zedong suppressed any religious movements during his 27-year rule until 1976. One of the oldest philosophical worldviews country, Confucianism, also differs in that it does not emphasize belief in a supernatural deity.

2. Japan

China's neighbor is another eastern country with a large population of people committed to a worldview where there is no place for God.

Between 30 and 39 percent of people on the Japanese islands say they are "convinced atheists." In Japan, religion has historically centered around Shinto, which is not based on an all-seeing God, but rather on rituals and mythology dating back to the country's distant past.

However, Shintoism has a spiritual origin and cannot be called an atheistic religion. In Japan, in Shintoism, like Buddhism, last years there is a decline in followers.

3. Czech Republic

It may come as a surprise to some, but third among the six least religious countries in the world is the Czech Republic, where 30 to 39 percent of citizens consider themselves atheists.

Weak support for traditional church religion may be a consequence of the strong nationalist movement in the Czech Republic during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Catholicism was considered a religion imposed by the Austrian invaders, and Protestantism never managed to take an important place in the hearts of the majority of Czech residents. Let us also note the country’s communist past, in which from 1948 to 1989 all religions were oppressed.

4. France

The homeland of the Romantics differs from many of its European neighbors in that at least one fifth of its citizens claim to be "convinced atheists."

As in China, in France the state sought to reduce the power of religious institutions within its borders.

French revolution In 1789, Catholicism was overthrown as the state religion, and in 1905 a law was passed that separated church and state.

In Great Britain, by contrast, the head of state - the Queen - is also the head of the Church.

5. Australia

About 10 to 19 percent of Australians say they are "strong atheists." This is not surprising for a country with a strong tradition of secular government.

In just a few decades of the country's existence legal framework guaranteed religious equality for the colonists who, when they first arrived on the continent in 1788, overthrew the privileges of the Church of England.

Representatives of many other religions, including Jews and Muslims, attracted by new opportunities, came to Australia. Today, however, the number of Christians is steadily declining - and the majority consider themselves atheists.

6. Iceland

In 1550, Catholicism was outlawed in this northern corner of Europe. The legal right to have religious freedom was established in 1874.

Although many Icelanders consider themselves Lutherans, a small number follow folk religions and the rest consider themselves "convinced atheists". This is only 19 percent of the country's population, but this proportion gives Iceland the right to be considered an atheist country.

Help: The Independent is a daily British newspaper published by Tony O'Reilly and Independent News & Media since 1986. One of the youngest British newspapers with a readership of over 240 thousand people.

10

• 49%
• Population: 1 317 797
• 645 720

Christianity, which came to Estonia in the 11th century, did not take root among the common people. IN Soviet time religiosity was suppressed. When Estonia gained independence in 1991, there were few believers in the country. This situation remains to this day. True, the popularity of ancient Estonian beliefs is being revived.

9

• Percentage of atheists/agnostics/non-believers: 52%
• Population: 50 700 000
• Number of atheists/agnostics/non-believers: 26 364 000

Only slightly less than half of South Koreans consider themselves to be supporters of any religion. The main religions in South Korea are traditional Buddhism and Christianity, which has recently entered the country. In South Korea, so-called “new religions” such as Cheongdogyo are very strong. There is also a small Muslim minority.

8

• Percentage of atheists/agnostics/non-believers: 54%
• Population: 67 032 000
• Number of atheists/agnostics/non-believers: 36 197 280

In France, a whole layer of Catholic traditions has still been preserved - the streets here still bear the names of saints, and churches rise everywhere. But atheism in France has a long tradition, and has become a kind of “national treasure” here. Here, as in the United States, the separation of church and state was one of the main demands of the revolution, as a result of which the current democratic state arose. In 1905, France passed a law on the separation of church and state, and since then the principles of secularism have become almost the main values ​​of French society. In France, it is also prohibited by law to preach religion in schools.

7

• Percentage of atheists/agnostics/non-believers: 60%
• Population: 5 505 575
• Number of atheists/agnostics/non-believers: 3 303 345

Before late XIX centuries, Finns could profess only one of state religions- either Lutheranism or Orthodoxy. It was only the law of 1889 that allowed Finns to practice another form of Christianity. The process of secularization proceeds especially quickly in major cities, and there are two leaders in this - Helsinki and Tempere. However, the process of secularization did not begin in Finland today, but after the Second World War it gained a truly gigantic scope.

6

• Percentage of atheists/agnostics/non-believers: 61%
• Population: 10 579 067
• Number of atheists/agnostics/non-believers: 6 453 230

In recent years, the population of many former socialist countries has rushed en masse to revive their previously banned religions, which suggests that promoting atheism in a commanding manner is not the best effective method. However, the Czech Republic turned out to be an exception to the rule. There is no reversion to religious beliefs, and only 21% of the population believes that religion plays an important role in their lives. Unlike most Eastern European countries, the Czech Republic ranks quite high in the UN Human Development Index. This country is not as mired in the corruption and authoritarianism that prevail in other former socialist states - in Russia, for example.

5

• Percentage of atheists/agnostics/non-believers: 65%
• Population: 126 740 000
• Number of atheists/agnostics/non-believers: 82 381 000

As in most countries of East Asia, religion in Japan has been preserved not so much as faith, but at the level of observance national traditions. Therefore, only 25% of Japanese believe that religion occupies an important place in their lives. In Japan, it is not generally accepted that a person must belong to any church or necessarily profess any religion. The same Japanese who still profess traditional Japanese religion– a mixture of Shintoism and Buddhism – they practice religious cults in a form less formalized than in the monotheistic religions of the West, which creates an atmosphere of minimal social pressure on atheists – and the latter, accordingly, feel quite at ease in Japan.

4

• Percentage of atheists/agnostics/non-believers: 72%
• Population: 5 267 146
• Number of atheists/agnostics/non-believers: 3 792 345

Since there is a strong correlation between the happiest and least religious countries, it is only natural that Norway tops both of these lists. The relationship between the happiness index and the level of religiosity of the population is somewhat more complex than it seems at first glance. On the one hand, people are indeed less religious when they have less need for something. On the other hand, atheism flourishes precisely in those countries where people traditionally trust their governments to pursue socially oriented policies and distribute economic benefits relatively fairly. If you have a high level of trust in your state and your fellow citizens, then faith in God fades into the background.

3

• Percentage of atheists/agnostics/non-believers: 80%
• Population: 5 756 170
• Number of atheists/agnostics/non-believers: 4 604 936

Denmark opens the top three countries that have gotten rid of religious dogmas. This country even allowed public burning of Korans and Bibles. The kingdom’s parliament explained that they do not see the need for special laws protecting faith from certain open statements. “Religion should not dictate what is allowed and what is not allowed to be stated publicly. This gives her a completely unfair priority in society.”

2

• Percentage of atheists/agnostics/non-believers: 81%
• Population: 92 700 000
• Number of atheists/agnostics/non-believers: 75 087 000

Freedom of belief in Vietnam is formally enshrined in the constitution, but many religious societies are subject to restrictions, especially if the government considers any of them a threat to the authority of the Communist Party. In 2007, Buddhism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, Cao Dai, Hoa Hao were officially allowed, and the Baha'i faith received permission to religious activity along with two other religions and one sect. Despite the Vietnamese state's attempts to improve its image in the eyes of the international community through religious freedoms, several religious leaders have alleged continued discrimination. Religious freedom activist Nguyen Hong Quang was arrested in 2004 and his home was razed to the ground. Thuong Christians continue to be oppressed by the state. Vietnam's anti-religious policies have led to such a high percentage of non-believers.

1

• Percentage of atheists/agnostics/non-believers: 85%
• Population: 10 046 200
• Number of atheists/agnostics/non-believers: 8 539 270

Sweden is one of the most secular countries in the world. Swedes, accustomed to order, often view baptism and church weddings as a tradition and obligation, a symbol of belonging to the state. Because of this, the Church of Sweden is often called the “church of unbelievers” - only 15% of its members believe in Jesus Christ. According to statistics compiled by Phil Zuckerman, 85% of Swedes consider themselves non-believers. This is one of the highest rates of “disbelief” recorded on Earth. Phil Zuckerman made another interesting finding: most of the most secular countries are characterized by high living standards, well-educated populations and personal freedom, while the least secular countries are characterized by low living standards, oppression of women and a lack of personal freedom.

Humanity is turning away from God - in recent years, 9% of earthlings have broken with religion. This is due to global democratic processes and numerous scandals that have undermined the reputation of churches, writes Natalia Mechetnaya in issue 33 of the magazine Correspondent dated August 24, 2012.

Colin Ralph, a 65-year-old Irishman, recalls that just a few decades ago in his homeland, regular and frequent trips to church were an integral part of the lives of both children and adults. Nowadays they live this way only in rural areas.

“People are so busy and involved in modern life that the need for religion has decreased,” Ralph says Correspondent that the church is increasingly losing its authority.

Irish society is indeed now experiencing a rapid decline in the number of believers. According to the latest data international center sociological research Gallup International Association, in the country in 2005 there were 69% of believers, in 2012 they already became 47%, that is, 22% less.

More than half of the planet's inhabitants, namely 59%, consider themselves religious people, 23% said they are not religious, and 13% called themselves convinced atheists.

The world is moving away from religion towards atheism, sociologists from Gallup International Association pronounce their verdict. The scope of their research is enormous: it covered 57 countries of the world, including about 70% of the population globe. More than half of the planet's inhabitants, namely 59%, consider themselves religious people, 23% said they are not religious, and 13% called themselves convinced atheists.

In general, the number of non-religious people in the world has increased by 9% over the past seven years, experts conclude.

The largest number of atheists, according to Gallup International Association, live in Asian countries. These are, first of all, China (47%), Japan (31%), and South Korea (15%). The leaders of European atheism were the Czech Republic (30%) and France (29%).

Overall, the top 5 countries with the most high percentage of people who consider themselves religious include Ghana (96%), Nigeria (93%), Armenia (92%), Fiji (92%) and Macedonia (90%).

Speaking about trends leading to a decrease in religiosity, experts note the fact that the more liberal the state, the lower the percentage of believers. “In modern secular democracies, a clear trend is that people are increasingly less likely to identify themselves as adherents of any religion,” says Richard Wiener of the Arizona Research Corporation.

Crisis of faith

The USA, where numerous priests once came on missions along with colonists from Europe thirsty for new conquests, has always been considered a religious state. However, as Gallup research has shown, America is now beginning to gradually lose this status: over the past seven years, the number of religious people in the country has decreased from 73% to 60%.

Like many economically successful world powers, the United States today is becoming less dependent on God and more reliant on its material wealth, says Texas theologian Richard Patrick. Another factor in the transformation of the United States into a less religious state, he calls the penetration of ideas of secularism into educational establishments. Historically in the United States, Christian ideas were the basis for most colleges and universities, but they were supplanted by ideas of secular enlightenment.

Like many economically successful world powers, the United States today is becoming less dependent on God and more reliant on its material wealth.

“So the more educated our society is, the more we rely on man rather than God,” says Patrick.

Religion in Argentina is losing supporters somewhat more slowly than the United States. A country located in a famous Catholic traditions Latin America has lost 8% of believers in seven years.

Juan Reche, director of the Argentine Center for International Studies, also in conversation with Correspondent indicates that the country has become more agnostic. He attributes this to the development of democratic freedoms - previously unprecedented for a state in which Catholicism was not just a religion, but part of a worldview.

“Today, Argentina is one of the most liberal countries in the world when it comes to civil rights,” the analyst notes. “Our law allows homosexuals to marry and promotes gender equality.”

Ioann Fedorinov, a Moscow priest and economist, believes that it is the West, which once moved away from Christianity, that continues to shape the modern thinking of civilization. Moreover, he acts not only through art or propaganda, but also in the overt form of monetary dictatorship.

Ioann Fedorinov, a Moscow priest and economist, believes that it is the West, which once moved away from Christianity, that continues to shape the modern thinking of civilization

“If God came to earth again in the USA or Europe, they would kick him out, saying: “We don’t need you, we have formed our own system of values,” Fedorinov expresses his opinion Correspondent.

He emphasizes that there is still God in Russia, but the forecasts are disappointing: in his opinion, behind the aggravation of the religious issue in Russian society are politicians whose goal is to divert people from discussing political and economic problems. For example, during the hooligan prank of the female punk group Russy Riot, even the most famous representatives Russian political elite.

In general, spirituality, Fedorinov believes, will steadily decline along with the stability of economies in the world, as well as the growing mass of negativity in the media. The exception, in his opinion, will be only isolated and nationalized states - for example, Islamic and Jewish.

Wave-like process

Despite the global trend of declining religiosity, respondents Correspondent analysts make a reservation: this process may be temporary. In some countries, the loss of religiosity is likely to be caused by specific events rather than global processes.

For example, the situation with a decrease in the number of believers in Ireland was significantly aggravated loud scandal 2009, related to the sexual abuse of children committed by Catholic clergy in Dublin.

In some countries, the loss of religiosity is likely to be caused by specific events rather than global processes.

Irishman Ralph notes that, wanting to preserve good name churches, these outrageous crimes were covered up by other clergy, as well as some politicians. However, this ultimately shocked the public even more and sharply turned the Irish away from the church.

IN modern world Thanks to the Internet, such scandals quickly reach the global level. Thus, the Irish events shook not only the country, but the entire Christian world. Publications exposing clergy began to appear one after another.

In particular, the newspaper The New The York Times conducted an investigation, revealing that even Pope Benedict XVI for many years hushed up the facts of sex crimes among priests in the United States, in other words, covered up pedophiles.

Yet, despite everything, atheists continue to constitute a tiny minority, emphasizes Viktor Yelensky, a Ukrainian religious scholar and president of the Association for Religious Freedom. The expert recalls how in the 50-60s of the last century it was public opinion that religion should, if not disappear, then at least leave the public sphere of life.

A 1966 cover of American Time magazine asked readers: Is God dead? This headline was in huge red letters.

“But in 1978, several events occurred that changed our understanding of the role of religion in modern politics,” notes Yelensky. He calls the Iranian revolution, which completely changed not only Iran, but the entire Islamic world.

In the 50-60s of the last century, there was a public opinion that religion should, if not disappear, then at least leave the public sphere of life.

Also significant was the accession to the papal throne of John Paul II, which marked a great Catholic upsurge. These same years saw an evangelical boom in the United States.

During the presidency of Jimmy Carter, religion began to play a greater role in domestic and foreign policy, the expert says, “since this time, American presidents have turned to religious ideas and symbols more often than their predecessors in the second half of the 20th century.

"IN beginning of XXI century, no worldview can compete with religion,” Yelensky is convinced.

He also believes that Christianity today is not disappearing, but is moving from the West to Africa and Latin America, and in these territories it is not as calm and stable as in the West, but expansive and offensive. It faces an equally expansive and aggressive Islam. And these Christian-Muslim relations can become a global drama of the 21st century, the expert notes, recalling that modern terror is inspired precisely by religious ideas.

It is difficult to argue with this, given that Ghana, which has come out on top in the world in terms of the number of believers, is 70% Christian, 16% Muslim, and the rest are followers of traditional African cults. In Nigeria, which is in second place, the ratio of Christians and Muslims is even more explosive - approximately 50 to 50. By the way, religious conflicts do not subside in the country.

Yelensky would not unequivocally call China the locomotive of atheism, since, according to his observations, there is a spiritual upsurge there - especially in beliefs associated with the home altar.

“It’s just that what the Chinese believe is difficult to grasp with Western tools,” the analyst notes: Chinese who get jobs abroad cannot explain the essence of their beliefs and simply write that they do not belong to any religion.

At the beginning of the 21st century, no worldview can compete with religion

Moreover, today in communist China there are signs of a revival of Confucianism, which played the role of the main religion in the imperial Celestial Empire. In the city of Kufu, Shandong province, where in 551 BC. e. philosopher Confucius was born, his birthday is becoming an increasingly significant holiday. State television began live radio broadcasts of this event in 2004, and already in 2007 local officials began to attend the event.

As for the United States, then, according to experts, reservations are possible. Thus, Ryan Cragun, a sociologist of religion at the University of Tampa in Florida whose research focuses on global atheism, takes a critical look at data showing an increase in the number of atheists in the United States. In his opinion, the point is that many people would simply like to identify themselves as atheists.

“For a long time, religiosity has been a core characteristic of American identity,” Cragun notes, adding that Americans are no longer inclined to identify primarily with religiosity, which was previously directly associated with integrity in the United States.

Departure from God

Over the past decade, the number of believers in many countries has decreased significantly

God help you

The lower the standard of living in a country, the higher the percentage of believers among its population

Data from WIN-Gallup International, IMF

This material was published in No. 33 of the Korrespondent magazine dated August 24, 2012. Reproduction of Korrespondent magazine publications in full is prohibited. The rules for using materials from the Korrespondent magazine published on the Korrespondent.net website can be found .