Goddeloosheid wint terrein in de VS
Geplaatst: 14 okt 2011 06:24
Rising atheism in America puts 'religious right on the defensive'
Enkele highlights uit het artikel:
Enkele highlights uit het artikel:
agnostics and atheists are actually part of one of the fastest-growing demographics in the US: the godless
The exact number of faithless is unclear. One study by the Pew Research Centre puts them at about 12% of the population, but another by the Institute for the Study of Secularism in Society and Culture at Trinity College in Hartford puts that figure at around 20%.
Most experts agree that the number of secular Americans has probably doubled in the past three decades – growing especially fast among the young.
Maar helaas ook lowlights:He cites the example of the changing face of Sunday in the country. It was not too long ago when many sporting events were banned on Sundays and most shops were closed too. Now the opposite is largely true.
Yet there is little doubt that religious groups still wield enormous influence in US politics and public life, especially through the rightwing of the Republican party. Groups such as Focus on the Family are well-funded and skilful lobbyists.
Op 535 congresleden is dat nog steeds vrij weinig.However, it is still a brave US politician who openly declares a lack of faith. So far just one member of Congress, Californian Democrat Pete Stark, has admitted that he does not believe in God.
"Privately, we know that there are 27 other members of Congress that have no belief in God. But we don't 'out' people," said Silverman.