The agnostic student population

The agnostic student populationBy Ryan CluffCCHE 688

Did you know that almost 20% of the US public and 33% of adults under 30 have no religious affiliation?

SOURCE: Pew Research Religion & Public Life Project. Nones on the Rise. (October 9, 2012). Retrieved from http://www.pewforum.org/2012/10/09/nones-on-the-rise/, on Nov. 11, 2013.

People who mark "none" to questions regarding religious affiliation are on the rise

SOURCE: Pew Research Religion & Public Life Project. Nones on the Rise. (October 9, 2012). Retrieved from http://www.pewforum.org/2012/10/09/nones-on-the-rise/, on Nov. 11, 2013

Most of these people still consider themselves spiritual and believe in God. Only 6% of the population identifies as atheist or agnostic.

SOURCE: Pew Research Religion & Public Life Project. Nones on the Rise. (October 9, 2012). Retrieved from http://www.pewforum.org/2012/10/09/nones-on-the-rise/, on Nov. 11, 2013

How about in Academia?

SOURCE: Gross, Neil, Simmons, Solon. (Feb 6, 2007). How Religious are Americas College and University Professors? Retrieved from http://religion.ssrc.org/reforum/Gross_Simmons.pdf, on Nov 11, 2013.

Professors teaching in religiously affiliated institutions are far more likely to believe in God.

In a recent study of college professors 23% self-identify as atheist or agnostic

"36.6 percent of respondents with appointments in elite doctoral schools are either atheists or agnostics, as compared to 15.2 percent of respondents teaching in community colleges, 22.7 percent of those teaching at BA granting institutions, and 23.5 percent of those teaching in non-elite doctoral granting universities.SOURCE: Gross, Neil, Simmons, Solon. (Feb 6, 2007). How Religious are Americas College and University Professors? Retrieved from http://religion.ssrc.org/reforum/Gross_Simmons.pdf, on Nov 11, 2013.

Nones VS Atheists and Agnostics

SOURCE: CRAGUN, RYAN T., KOSMIN, BARRY, KEYSAR, ARIELA , HAMMER, JOSEPH H., NIELSEN, MICHAEL. On the Receiving End: Discrimination toward the Non-Religious in the United States. Journal of Contemporary Religion, Vol. 27, No. 1, January 2012, 105127

Nonreligious people are more likely to experience discrimination at home or socially then at school or work.23-39% vs13-27% Self-identifying as atheist or agnostic vs just not having a religious affiliation significantly increases reported discrimination in school or college. Over 40% of atheist and agnostic people report discrimination

Perceived DiscriminationNonreligious students perceive discrimination socially and at work or school.Secular faculty perceive discrimination socially and at work.Even though the number of people who identify themselves as nonreligious are growing they are still a small minority.

SOURCE: CRAGUN, RYAN T., KOSMIN, BARRY, KEYSAR, ARIELA , HAMMER, JOSEPH H., NIELSEN, MICHAEL. On the Receiving End: Discrimination toward the Non-Religious in the United States. Journal of Contemporary Religion, Vol. 27, No. 1, January 2012, 105127

Teachers and institutions should be aware of this growing demographic. More research should be undertaken to determine policies and procedures to avoid discriminationEven though college faculty are nonreligious at a higher rate than the general public they are also still a minority.

What does this mean?

CRAGUN, RYAN T., KOSMIN, BARRY, KEYSAR, ARIELA , HAMMER, JOSEPH H., NIELSEN, MICHAEL. On the Receiving End: Discrimination toward the Non-Religious in the United States. Journal of Contemporary Religion, Vol. 27, No. 1, January 2012, 105127

Gross, Neil, Simmons, Solon. (Feb 6, 2007). How Religious are Americas College and University Professors? Retrieved from http://religion.ssrc.org/reforum/Gross_Simmons.pdf, on Nov 11, 2013.

Pew Research Religion & Public Life Project. Nones on the Rise. (October 9, 2012). Retrieved from http://www.pewforum.org/2012/10/09/nones-on-the-rise/, on Nov. 11, 2013.

SOURCES