{"id":69490,"date":"2024-01-24T09:50:02","date_gmt":"2024-01-24T14:50:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/2024\/01\/24\/are-nones-hostile-toward-religion\/"},"modified":"2024-12-20T13:40:34","modified_gmt":"2024-12-20T18:40:34","slug":"are-nones-hostile-toward-religion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2024\/01\/24\/are-nones-hostile-toward-religion\/","title":{"rendered":"6. Are \u2018nones\u2019 hostile toward religion?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Some are. But many are not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chart<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Around a fifth of \u201cnones\u201d express consistently negative views of religion. They say it does more harm than good in society, encourages superstition and causes division. These \u201cnones\u201d also reject a couple of positive statements about religion \u2013 that it encourages people to treat others well, and that it helps society by giving people meaning and purpose in their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But most religious \u201cnones\u201d take a more neutral view of religion, expressing a mix of positive and negative opinions about its impact on people\u2019s lives and on society as a whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Few \u201cnones\u201d surveyed \u2013 just 4% \u2013 express consistently positive views of religion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Views of whether religion does more good or harm<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Table<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When asked directly, 43% of \u201cnones\u201d say religion does more harm than good in American society. A similar share says religion does equal amounts of good and harm. Fewer religious \u201cnones\u201d (14%) say religion does more good than harm in American society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNones\u201d are much more likely than religiously affiliated adults to believe religion does more harm than good, and much less likely to say religion does more good than harm in American society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNones\u201d with at least some college education are more likely than those with a high school diploma or less education to believe that religion does more harm than good. And White \u201cnones\u201d are more likely than \u201cnones\u201d of other races and ethnicities to believe that religion does more harm than good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Views of whether religion fosters intolerance and superstition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Eight-in-ten \u201cnones\u201d agree \u201ca great deal\u201d or \u201ca fair amount\u201d with the following statement: \u201cReligion causes division and intolerance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And 69% agree a great deal or a fair amount that \u201creligion encourages superstition and illogical thinking.\u201d This includes higher shares of atheists (91%) and agnostics (83%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Table<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Views of whether religion can provide meaning, encourage kindness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, at least half of \u201cnones\u201d say religion has certain benefits for society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most \u201cnones\u201d (58%) say that the following statement \u2013 \u201cReligion helps society by giving people meaning and purpose in their lives\u201d \u2013 describes their own views a great deal or a fair amount, including 62% of agnostics and those who say their religion is \u201cnothing in particular.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar pattern emerges on the statement that religion \u201cencourages people to do the right thing and treat other people well.\u201d About half of religiously unaffiliated Americans say they agree a great deal or a fair amount that religion does this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Table<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Return to the report\u2019s Overview<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find answers to other questions: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n