In recent decades, America has experienced a substantial decline in religiosity. Although the United States remains relatively religious compared to other nations, it is significantly less religious today than it was thirty years ago. However, a recent study published in Advances in political psychology The study reveals an important nuance: secularism is distinct from mere nonreligiosity. The results reveal that secularists form a unique group within the American electorate, suggesting that a more nuanced understanding of secular trends is essential to grasping contemporary political dynamics.
While the rise of nonreligion, often called “the rise of the nones,” has been widely documented, the new study sought to delve deeper into the distinctions between secularism and nonreligion. In doing so, the researchers wanted to clarify the political implications of these trends and how they might shape the future of American politics.
The researchers drew on data from several large-scale surveys, including the General Social Survey, the Gallup Poll, the Pew Research Center, and the Public Religion Research Institute. These data sources provided a solid foundation for examining trends in secularization and religiosity in the United States over the past few decades.
The study’s findings demonstrate that secularism is not simply the absence of religion, but a distinct identity characterized by specific beliefs and orientations. Unlike nonreligiosity, which denotes an absence of religious affiliation or belief, secularism involves active identification with principles based on empirical evidence and rational thought. Secularists, therefore, define themselves by what they believe rather than by what they lack.
For example, secularists have shown strong opposition to conspiracy theories. Researchers have found that secularists are less likely to believe various conspiracy theories than nonreligious people. This skepticism toward conspiracy theories is consistent with secularists’ reliance on empirical evidence and rational thinking.
In contrast, lack of religiosity did not show a consistent link with opposition to conspiracy theories. This highlights the importance of affirmative secular identity, which actively seeks evidence-based explanations and rejects unsubstantiated claims.
One of the most important findings of the study is the strong correlation between secularism and liberal political attitudes. Secularists are more likely to support Democratic candidates and align with liberal policies than their nonreligious counterparts. This trend is evident across a variety of policy areas, including social welfare, environmental protection, and immigration.
The study also found that secularists are strong advocates of core democratic values. They strongly support participatory democracy, advocating for the inclusion of all individuals in the political process and the removal of barriers to voting. They also stress the importance of freedom of expression, oppose censorship, and support the right to express even unpopular or controversial ideas.
“We suspect that, having traditionally been the subject of political intolerance, secularists – particularly atheists – are very supportive of extending political rights and civil liberties to other groups, even groups they dislike,” the researchers noted.
Interestingly, the researchers found that liberals, especially those who consider themselves very liberal, are generally not in favor of groups they hate, such as “MAGA supporters,” “racists,” or “Muslim extremists,” holding rallies, teaching, or having their books in local libraries. In contrast, secularists, despite having similar groups they hate, are more likely than non-secularists to extend civil liberties to these groups, demonstrating a higher level of political tolerance.
“It is striking that when the American right accuses secular liberals of wanting to censor or ‘cancel’ them because they express ideas they find unpleasant, they are only half right. Ideological liberals appear to support censoring and limiting the expression of certain types of ideas and certain types of groups,” the researchers explain.
“However, while ideology and partisanship are constant, secularists are the opposite. They oppose censorship and limits on free speech, and they argue that all groups—even those they find dangerous or distasteful—should have a social forum to express their views.”
Despite their strong secular identity and political engagement, secular people show relatively low levels of participation in organized secular activities. The study found that while religious people often participate in regular community activities, such as attending religious services and participating in church-related events, secular people do not have a comparable level of organized social engagement.
These findings suggest that secularism functions primarily as a psychological and ideological identity rather than as a social movement with formal structures and regular community activities. The absence of organized secular behavior highlights the individualistic nature of secularism, where personal beliefs and identities take precedence over collective action.
“In American politics, religion has always mattered,” the researchers conclude. “The contours of American public opinion have been shaped by nuances of religiosity, and religious appeals by candidates are commonplace. Today, secularism matters too, even if its presence in the electorate remains largely hidden. However, if current trends continue, secularism will be ignored only at the peril of politicians. No understanding of the American electorate is complete without attention to the secular voter.”
The study, “The Secular Voter: Secularism and Political Attitudes in the United States”, was written by Geoffrey C. Layman, David E. Campbell and Levi G. Allen.