This is quite interesting. I had no idea that there were so many people in America who are not religious. 52% is a pretty big number. This will probably affect the way religion in politics work in the future(or even now) now that the majority of the people in this category can now get involved in politics and vote. At the very least, religious beliefs won't be a driving force for getting elected, and more people can run(openly) who are not religious and not have to be afraid to lose simple because of their beliefs. Republicans will definitely worry, since most of them are Christian, and a lot of them base their ideals off of their religious beliefs. If the majority of people voting aren't religious, that doesn't leave a very big platform for Republicans to stand on.
It's actually 23%. I wonder when religion won't be a "requirement" for US politics anymore. Probably not for at least another 20 years. I also wonder how many US politicians are closet atheists.
It's interesting. I'm super devoted to my religion... And I get nauseous when people bring religion into politics... Maybe even angry. I'd rather have an atheist in office who is competent at his/her job than a devout (fill in the blank) who happens to be popular with some sub group. Ugh.
He might have misread this part: Between just 2007 and 2014, the adult population of "nones" skyrocketed by 52 percent, to nearly 56 million.
I think the tide is turning quickly in regards to the importance of religion in politics. Eight years ago, when Obama was running against McCain, pastor Rick Warren conducted a debate between the two about the role God plays in their lives etc. I think that such a debate would seem rediculous these days (I thought it did then). Times are changing and if the GOP wants to remain relevant, it needs to change too. My guess is that most of them aren't, in their hearts and minds, actually opposed to things like gay marriage for example, but have had to "play along" with the party line. Like yellowoftops, I find I am more and more fiscally conservative but the rest of the GOP platform is nuts.
Though the religious people are still the ones that come out to vote in much higher numbers than the "Nones"... I don't think we will see a "None" as US president before 2024. Luckily, policies are changing quicker, even if lacking considerably behind public majority opinion, for example, on marriage equality, medical marijuana, sex ed, etc.
Republicans will fall back on the fiscal platform. And that article makes a good effort to show that most Democrats try to play the religion card just as much. Hillary Clinton is mentioned talking about how the Bible is the 'living word'. Both parties are going to have to stop using religion as a crutch.