The weekly report on research and demographics of the secular movement
by Julie Esris

There is some good news for the secular world: the number of ÔÇ£nonesÔÇØ, or those who are religiously unaffiliated, is increasing. A Pew poll released this week reveals that Christianity in America has experienced a sharp decline. The study, conducted in 2014, reveals that 78.4% of Americans identified as Christian in 2007, and that this number dropped to 70.6% in 2014. During the same seven-year period, the number of Americans who do not follow any religion has risen from 16% to 23%. In both studies, about 35,000 people were interviewed. The branches of Christianity that experienced the sharpest decline were liberal Protestantism and Catholicism. Evangelical Protestantism has declined as well, but not nearly as sharply. Although this drastic shift primarily reflects changing attitudes of young adults, older people are changing their religious views as well. This phenomenon also transcends race, gender, and level of education. Interestingly enough, a small portion of Americans disassociating themselves with Christianity are doing so in favor of other religions. Americans who identify with non-Christian religions has risen from 4.7% in 2007 to 5.9% in 2014.┬á

Why this sharp decline in Christianity? Why this rise in non-religious affiliation? Why this rise in affiliation with non-Christian religions? As the Pew study notes, the rise in non-religious affiliation is found mostly with young adults, and those identifying as unaffiliated are getting younger and younger. It could be that the ubiquity of the Internet is facilitating access to a variety of ideas that respondents had not previously been exposed to. This would certainly explain why young adults surveyed comprised the largest group of people identifying as religiously unaffiliated. Of course, growing acceptance of atheists, thanks to outspoken individuals like Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins, makes it easier for atheists to be more open about their worldview.

The slight rise in affiliation with non-Christian religions could be largely a result of the growing acceptance of mixed marriages. In fact, the Pew study indicates that 39% of respondents report that they are in mixed marriages, up from 19% before 1960. Although these mixed marriages largely consist of one Christian partner and one secular partner, it could be that mixed marriagesÔÇöor at least what would be a mixed marriage if not for the conversion of one spouseÔÇöaccount for at least some of the increase of non-Christian religious affiliation. Some Jews, for example, often feel pressured by their communities to convert their non-Jewish spouse.

There is a flaw with this study, however. Although those surveyed were asked how important religion is in their lives, the question is too nebulous. Also, ÔÇ£religious affiliationÔÇØ is not clearly defined. Many people might nominally call themselves Christians and say that religion is very important to them, but it might only mean that the traditionsÔÇösuch as ChristmasÔÇöare important to them because they foster community and family. This is especially important in marriages in which one person converts. When a Christian converts to Judaism, for example, has he honestly and sincerely changed his beliefs? Does he no longer believe that Jesus is the messiah? Did he ever believe it to begin with?

To better ascertain what exactly religious affiliation means and just how important religion is to those surveyed, a poll should ask about specific beliefs, such as whether or not respondents believe in the Resurrection, believe that the Bible is the literal word of God, whether morality comes from the Bible, and so forth. The Richard Dawkins Foundation UK (RDFRS UK) did just that in response to the 2011 Census in the UK, which had claimed that 59.3% of respondents were Christian. When RDFRS UK asked these purported Christians about their specific beliefs, very few believed in the Resurrection, and many could not even correctly answer basic questions about the Bible. Even without taking these factors into consideration, peer pressure is still an issue. The research for the Pew polls was conducted via telephone. It is possible that a respondent would lie about his or her religious beliefs, knowing that a family member, who does not approve of secularism, is listening.

It is indeed very clear that secularism is on the rise, but it is not clear how many people who claim to be affiliated with a religion are truly dedicated to it.

The weekly report on US and International policy
by Edwina Rogers

New Turkish SPI Member Group to Attend Secular Conference

It is very difficult to be openly secular in Turkey, a country that inhibits free press and free speech. SPI Coalition member, The Association of Atheism (Ateizm Dernegi), a Turkish secular group, has faced a great deal of difficulties. Their website was once banned after a court ruling, and upon reinstatement was required to remove certain questions.  The personal Facebook pages of the members of The Association of Atheism were closed in March 2015, and some members have received personal threats of violence and/or death.  In particular, the current President received a direct death threat from an Islamic extremist group which is believed to be affiliated with ISIS.  The Association also has difficulty securing venues and permits to host events, regardless of the type,  due to fear and prejudice. For these reasons and more, it is imperative for Turkey to have representation at secular events. In Washington, D.C. last week, Secular Policy Institute hosted Morgan Romano of The Association of Atheism, and has issued a grant to enable the group to speak at the Center for Inquiry conference in Buffalo this coming June. 

Secular Policy Institute CEO Edwina Rogers to Visit Israeli Embassy

Edwina Rogers will attend a dinner and discussion with the Israeli Deputy Chief of Mission Reuven Azar.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formed a coalition government less than an hour before the deadline on May 6th.  Netanyahu now has one week to present his coalition and Cabinet to the Knesset. There are numerous religious freedom, discrimination, and human rights matters to be addressed.  Stay tuned for the report next week.

Secular Policy Institute Invited To Participate in Important Conference

Edwina Rogers was invited by H.S.H. Prince Michael von und zu Liechtenstein and H.S.H. Prince Philipp von und zu Liechtenstein to the International Gottfried von Haberler Conference in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, to be held on May 29, 2015. Hosted by former President of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Klaus, the conference will focus on states’ eroding civil liberties.

National Day of Reason And National Day of Prayer

A congressional resolution (House Res. 228) has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to honor the National Day of Reason, a secular response to the National Day of Prayer, which falls on May 7th, 2015.  The American Humanist Association has worked with sponsor Representative Mike Honda (CA-17) and co-sponsor Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC) to help introduce this resolution.  Thank you, AHA!

Delaware Community Pushes For Definitions of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBTQ) in Health Education Curriculum

The Indian River School District in Selbyville, Delaware found itself at the center of a health curriculum controversy in late 2014 and into early 2015, eventually resulting in a win for proponents of comprehensive sexuality education. The controversy heated up when community members spoke out in opposition to the views of local Board of Education member Shaun Fink, who believed that definitions of the words gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender should not be included in the districtÔÇÖs health education curriculum.

ISIS Claimed Attack In Texas At Mohammed Cartoon Contest

ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack outside a Prophet Mohammed cartoon contest in Garland, Texas, the official ISIS radio channel announced today.

The two gunmen, Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi, wounded a security guard before police shot and killed them. There is currently no evidence that the attackers were affiliated with ISIS.

Pro-Life Organizations Pledge to Risk Violating D.C. Anti-Discrimination Law

Senate allowed the┬ácontroversial┬áReproductive Health Non-Discrimination Act┬áto officially take effect in the nationÔÇÖs capital. The law ensures that ÔÇ£individuals are protected from discrimination by an employer, employment agency, or labor organization, based on an individualÔÇÖs or dependentÔÇÖs reproductive health decisions”.┬áIt requires all employers, religious and secular, to provide insurance coverage of all reproductive healthcare, including abortion. Just hours after the law was passed, a group of pro-life organizations released a joint statement pledging to continue operating in accordance with their beliefs, thereby putting themselves at┬árisk of violating the law:

“Despite the enactment of this unjust law, we will continue to hire employees who share our commitment to the dignity of every member of the human family,ÔÇØ reads the statement released by Alliance Defending Freedom, the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Americans United for Life and Americans United for Life Action, March for Life, Concerned Women for America and the Susan B. Anthony List.

When you think of atheists, the face that probably comes to mind is male, white, older and a little bit nerdy. ThereÔÇÖs more than a grain of truth to this reputation. Atheist groups in America have traditionally been dominated by older white men ÔÇô but that may finally be starting to change.

The Barna Group, a Christian polling firm, recently released their 2015 State of Atheism in America report. Based on a year of research on the non-religious demographic, Barna found not just that atheists and agnosticsÔÇÖ numbers are growing rapidly, but that theyÔÇÖre very quickly becoming more diverse.

Just how diverse is the atheist community?

The weekly report on research and demographics of the secular movement
by Julie Esris

Two Muslim extremists, Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi, opened fire at the Mohammed Art Exhibit Cartoon Contest in North Garland, Texas on Monday. The contest allowed cartoonists to submit drawings of Mohammed for a chance to win $10,000. Depicting Mohammed in any way is considered blasphemous by many Muslims, and doing so is also a constructive way to challenge a fierce taboo. However, it is also very dangerous, as it is what motivated the two men. The gunmen injured a security guard, but nobody else was harmed. Police intervened and killed both Simpson and Soofi. Simpson is thought to have ties to ISIS, as evidenced by a Tweet in which he pledges loyalty to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi.

This is the latest in a string of events in which Muslim extremists have violently retaliated against slights to the Muslim faith. Another recent violent act by Muslim extremistsÔÇöwhich also was in protest of depictions of MohammadÔÇö was the attack in France in which brothers Sa├»d and Ch├®rif Kouachi opened fire on the office that publishes the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, killing eleven people and wounding eleven others. But just how many Muslims support this kind of violence? How many support the actions of Muslim extremists? A 2013 Pew Poll asked 8,989 Muslims in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and sub-Saharan Africa whether or not they support violence in the name of Islam.

Clear majorities of Muslims surveyed are against any kind of violence used to defend Islam. Of Muslims surveyed, 89% in Pakistan, 81% in Indonesia,78% in Nigeria, and 77% in Tunisia believe that suicide bombings or other violent acts which target civilians are never justified. A 2009 Pew Poll of Muslim Americans indicates that 78% believe that suicide bombing and other civilian-targeted violence is never justifiable. The aforementioned 2013 poll reveals that a majority of Palestinian Muslims (62%) believes that suicide bombing is sometimes justifiable, most likely because of the never-ending wars between Palestine and Israel. However, support for violence in the name of Islam has generally declined.

It is encouraging to learn that the fringe minority of Muslim extremists and their supporters are indeed a (most likely) fringe minority. However, it is frightening to look at just how large the minority is. Even in the United States, where Muslims are more likely to be exposed to secular culture and other religions, only 78% believe that suicide bombing and other forms of violence against civilians to defend Islam is never justifiable. That means that 22% believe that it is sometimes justifiable. However, it is important to note the nebulousness of this question, which ultimately asked if violence of any kind in defense of Islam could ever be justified. The polls do not ask under what circumstances such violence is acceptable, nor does it define what it means to defend Islam. A more accurate poll would ask if violence is necessary in specific instances. For example, is violence justified when someone draws Mohammed? Is violence justified when a group of people attacks your community and you fear that if you donÔÇÖt retaliate that your community will be annihilated? Such questions would give a better picture of just how many Muslims do support extremist behaviors.

On the other hand, the 2009 poll of Muslim Americans indicated that 7% believe that suicide bombing specifically is justifiable at least some circumstances. Unlike other forms of violence, which could theoretically be retaliation against violent attacks, the promise of a martyrÔÇÖs heaven is a large part of a suicide bomberÔÇÖs motive and clearly has nothing to do with self-defense. As Richard Dawkins notes in The God Delusion, it is a firm adherence to their faith that gave the Muslim 9/11 hijackers to execute their attack as a suicide mission. Unfortunately, the 2013 poll, which surveyed Muslims outside of the United States, did not ask respondents separate questions about suicide bombing and violence in general.

It is encouraging to see that the Muslim extremism is declining, possibly due to the Internet. Muslims in countries dominated by Sharia law are sometimes able to learn about other ideas through the Internet and thus change their views, or at least broaden their horizons. In fact, another Pew poll conducted in 2013 indicates that Muslim Internet use is correlated with favorable views of Western culture even when controlling for age, gender, level of religious observance, and participation in interfaith activities. The poll indicates that Internet users still view Islam as the only path to heaven, and it does not indicate one way or another if Internet use impacts MuslimsÔÇÖ views on extremism in the name of Islam. However, if Internet use correlates with favorable views of Western culture, it seems unlikely that these people would support religious extremism. Perhaps the Internet is the key to reducing Muslim extremismÔÇöand extremism of any kind.

The weekly report on the SPI Coalition
by Julie Esris

Churches raise a lot of money for charity, don’t they? Maybe, but there is one church that has raised a ton of money recently. That’s right, SPI Coalition member┬áThe United Church of Bacon has raised $73,000 for AIDS research and secular causes! Good show, and praise Bacon!

Since 2007, SPI Coalition member Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain has been creating a safe and caring online community for people leaving the Muslim faith. Right now they could use your financial support for campaigning, organizing events, and purchasing equipment. Read more about their objectives here and please consider donating.

Terrorist organizations such as Al Qaeda are directly responsible for horrific murders, but there is another factor at play that enables these acts in the name of Islam, argues SPI Coalition member Center for Inquiry. What are these enabling factors?

There is good news and bad news. First, the bad news: Schools in Britain that teach creationism are continuing to receive government funds. The good news is that SPI Coalition member British Humanist Association is striving to do something about it. Find out more about their efforts and how you can help.

That you need God to be moral is more than just a well-worn clich├®; it is simply not true, argues Paul Kurtz of SPI Coalition Member┬áInstitute for Science and Human Values. How do we decide what is moral or immoral? Actually, the answer is quite complicated, as illustrated in Kurtz’s compelling essay, “Morality is Natural”.

“There are no atheists in foxholes”– another well-worn– and untrue– clich├®! Many military atheist groups– including SPI Coalition Member┬áMilitary Association of Atheists and Freethinkers— are observing the National Day of Reason. Check out the exciting and important┬áwork┬áthat MAAF and other secular┬ámilitary groups are doing!

SPI Coalition member, Central Florida Freethought Community, a chapter of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, scored a huge victory in Venice Florida. What did they do? Hint: They helped remind the Venice City Council that freedom of religion also means freedom from religion!

How many atheists are there in the world? SPI Coalition member Atheist Alliance International wants to know, too. Go participate in their Atheist Census and be counted! 

A professor of evolutionary biology recently won an award. No, it wasn’t Richard Dawkins, but the award–┬ágiven for raising awareness of atheistic life and scientific knowledge– is named after him. Find out to whom┬áSPI Coalition member Atheist Alliance of America bestowed the Richard Dawkins Award!

Have you seen the great new atheism ad by SPI Coalition Member American Atheists that has recently aired on CNN? If not, go check it out!

The Weekly SPI Fellows Update
by Julie Esris

Evolution is a long-established scientific fact, but evolutionary biologist and SPI Fellow Richard Dawkins always presents it in a new and interesting light. Last week was no exception, when Dawkins spoke on an edge.org podcast about selfish genes, extended phenotypes, his homemade computer programs which simulate evolution, and more!

Richard Dawkins

On Monday there was a reported shooting in Baltimore… but apparently it didn’t happen! Were the witnesses lying to the media about what they saw? Psychologist and SPI Fellow┬áElizabeth Loftus┬átalks about the phenomenon of false memories!

The Atheist Experience‘s Matt Dillahunty has a few philosophical questions:┬áCan we know anything with absolute certainty?┬áWhy does┬áreligion have┬áso many protective mechanisms that make it difficult for adherents to doubt┬áit?┬áIs there┬ávalue in having public debates? and more. So whom does he ask? Philosopher and SPI Fellow┬áA.C. Grayling, of course!

Have primordial gravitational waves been detected? What does it mean to say that the universe comes from nothing? Will an atheist ever be elected president in the United States? Theoretical physicist and SPI Fellow Lawrence Krauss answers these questions and more in this exciting Off the Record interview!

Terrorism by Muslim extremists is, well, terrifying, but what is behind this phenomenon besides religion? Writer and SPI Fellow Michael Shermer offers a fascinating evolutionary explanation in a recent Scientific American article.

 

Erstwhile members of strictly religious communities seek damages from state that funded system they claim is inadequate

AFP ÔÇö They were already in their 20s the first time they ever heard about dinosaurs or even tried their hands at maths and English.

Now a group of young Israelis who left the closed world of ultra-Orthodox Judaism are demanding answers from the state which funded their strictly religious education in Jewish seminaries, known as yeshivas.

Despite years of studying, all they were exposed to was religious texts and their interpretation, leaving them clueless about the basics of the national curriculum.

Read more on timesofisrael.com

The weekly report on the SPI Coalition
by Julie Esris

In light of the devastating, 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Nepal last week, SPI Coalition Member Foundation Beyond Belief is raising money to aid in relief and recovery. Please donate to help support their efforts!

Does religion harm education? Aron Ra, of SPI Coalition member┬áAmerican Atheists, says “absolutely”. Drawing on his own life experiences in a creationist household, Ra makes his case at a meeting of SPI Coalition member,┬áAtheist Ireland.

Teen girls and young women in Uganda are high risk for unwanted pregnancy through premarital sex and even rape. Many of these girls and women are afraid to seek an abortion, and that’s where SPI Coalition Member┬áThe Uganda Humanist Association┬áand its affiliate┬áThe Uganda Humanist Effort to Save Women come in. Come see what they’re doing to help.

Remember last week when we told you that┬áSPI Coalition member,┬áThe United Church of Bacon, protested Wells Fargo over its discrimination of atheists? They’re not done yet, and have launched a petition on change.org, demanding that they apologize and stop discriminating against atheists.

SPI Coalition member┬áThe Ontario Humanist Society┬árecently conducted an exciting interview with Iranian journalist, author, and activist Masih Alinejad. Alinejad started a Facebook page, My Stealthy Freedom.┬áCome see what it’s about.

Many Jews also identify as atheists. A Jewish atheist? An atheist Jew? How is that possible? Many people of Jewish heritage have found that they can value Jewish culture without believing in the religious aspects of Judaism. They belong to a sect called humanistic Judaism. In fact, humanistic Jewish congregation and SPI Coalition member,┬áOr Emet,┬ápractices a great deal of traditional Jewish life cycle events– such as baby naming, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, and weddings– with a secular slant. Read more about it!

SPI Coalition Member┬áAtheist Foundation of Australia recently hosted an exciting event, The Unholy Trinity Down Under. The “Unholy Trinity” in question are American atheist activists Matt Dillahunty (with “Why Won’t You Love Me”, Version 1┬áand Version 2)┬áAron Ra (with “Biblical Absurdity”), and Seth Andrews (with “The Good Old Days”). Each of them gave interesting, insightful– and funny– presentations. A Q&A follows.

SPI Coalition Member, American Freethought, recently interviewed science fiction and fantasy writer James Morrow about his latest novel, Galapagos Regained. The novel promises to be exciting, and the podcast interview will gives you a little taste of it!

Is meditation beneficial? It’s not just a question: it’s also the title of one of SPI Coalition member┬áHumanist Society (Singapore)‘s┬árecent blog posts. Meditation is often┬áconsidered a religious practice. It must be pseudoscience then, right? The answer may surprise you.

On a recent podcast of SPI Coalition member Skepticality, host Derek interviews neurologist Dr. Steven Novella, who also has his own skeptic podcast. Derek and Steve discuss the skeptical community and some current events.

The Weekly SPI Fellows Update
by Julie Esris

Did Ben Affleck’s ancestors own slaves? Apparently so. Should he hide this fact out of shame? No, says lawyer, social critic, and SPI Fellow Wendy Kaminer. Why not? Presumably because Affleck┬áhas nothing to do with his ancestors’ embarrassing deeds. That’s part of it, but Kaminer’s perspective is actually more interesting– and a unifying one┬áfor humanity.

Religion is experiencing┬áa rapid decline, says philosopher and┬áSPI Fellow Daniel Dennett. But why? There is actually not┬áone┬áreason. Rather, there are many reasons for this phenomenon, and Dennett’s answers may surprise you.

SPI Fellow┬áMichael Shermer‘s new book┬áThe Moral Arc is a huge hit among secular circles. In this fascinating interview, Shermer talks about his the evolution of morality– and his┬ápassion for distance cycling.

We at SPI would like to wish novelist, philosopher, and Fellow Rebecca Goldstein┬áa very happy birthday! Check out her latest book,┬áPlato at the Googleplex: Why Philosophy Won’t Go Away

SPI is pleased to introduce our three new Fellows:

Steve Hill is┬áa comedian whose routines touch on current events as well as his own life experiences as a black man. And he does have quite the background: He’s been in the U.S. Marine Corps, has worked at two maximum security prisons, and has even worked in the aerospace industry!

Jeremiah Camara is an accomplished filmmaker, author, and video blogger. A former Christian, Camara rejected the church only to return to it, but as an investigator. He has now authored books Holy Lockdown: Does the Church Limit Black Progress? and The New Doubting Thomas: The Bible, Black Folks & Blind Belief.

As a filmmaker, Camara has created two documentaries. Psychological Wars exposes the negative attitudes towards black people portrayed in American sitcoms. Contradiction: A Question of Faith explores the psychological effect faith has on people, particularly African-Americans.

Richard Haynes is┬áa writer and public speaker. An atheist-turned- fundamentalist-Christian-turned-atheist, Haynes is now the president of Atheist Nexus International, Inc. He dedicates much of his work to building secular communities and encouraging atheists to “come out” of the closet.

Come learn more about them!