The Percentage of Nonreligious Americans in 2014

What percentage of Americans in 2014 considered themselves agnostics or nonbelievers?

A. 2%

B. 5%

C. 15.5%

D. 22.8%

Answer:

The percentage of Americans in 2014 who considered themselves as 'nones', agnostics, or nonbelievers, according to the Pew Research Center survey, is 23%, so the closest option in the question is D. 22.8%.

The Pew Research Center survey conducted in 2014 revealed that 23% of American adults categorized themselves as 'nones' or unaffiliated with any religious institution. This category includes individuals who identify as agnostics or nonbelievers.

It's important to note that the term 'nones' does not exclusively consist of agnostics or atheists, but can also include individuals holding spiritual or religious beliefs outside of traditional religious institutions.

Therefore, the closest percentage option provided in the question, 22.8%, aligns with the survey findings. This demonstrates a significant portion of the American population identifying as nonreligious in 2014.

It's also noteworthy that the rise of nonreligious Americans reflects a broader trend of skepticism and criticism towards institutionalized religion in the United States during that time period.