 "Photo: Danny Davis")
Twenty years ago, when atheists made up less than 1 percent of the population in America, it was rare to hear someone deny the existence of God. And while atheists and nonreligious people are still a minority today, recent studies show an increase in nonreligious populations and have found a record number on college campuses.
According to the American Humanist Association, a recent poll of individuals ages 18-25 found that the atheist, agnostic and nonreligious population in the U.S. has nearly doubled over the past 20 years. The Secular Student Alliance, a national organization aimed at high school and college students, found that the number of secular student groups on college campuses has doubled in just the past two years.
The rise in nonreligious populations among college students has increased more than any other religious group. So why are we seeing these trends become more prevalent on college campuses? There could be several explanations.
Secular student groups on campuses allow people from all religious backgrounds to come together and share their ideas.
“We spread acceptance,” said Travis Holter, senior in chemical engineering and public relations chair of Individuals for Freethought at K-state. “This group is a place to come and be with like-minded people.”
Individuals for Freethought is an on-campus organization that promotes the acceptance of nontheistic ideas. Freethought meets weekly for discussion and also participates in charity events throughout the semester. Though the majority of its 40 members lean toward atheism and agnosticism, the group has members from several religious backgrounds who regularly attend.
“This is not an atheist group, but it’s a skeptic group,” Holter said.
Some members of Freethought tie recent correlation between college and nonreligion to education.
“Studies show that as education levels increase, the tendency toward agnostic beliefs increase,” said Sean Stenseng, sophomore in life sciences and president of Individuals for Freethought.
Several members in the group said they came to their beliefs through classes exposing them to in-depth scientific theories, philosophical ideas and historical findings.
Caitlin Brown, senior in interior design, is also a member of the group.
She said she agrees with the concept that education plays a significant role in nontheism among college students, but also said self-exploration in college was another contributing factor.
“Many of [the members of Individuals for Freethought] came from religious backgrounds but didn’t swallow what we were taught,” she said.
Many students leave home and step into a more diverse atmosphere of values and beliefs, Brown said, because they have reached a place where they have the opportunity to explore their own ideas.
David McGuire, junior in hotel and restaurant management, said living away from his parents and having free time allowed him to open his mind to other ways of thinking. McGuire said he grew up in an Episcopalian family and found that free time to study subjects like philosophy and political science led him away from his religious upbringing.
Erich Schwartz, coordinator of religious activities at K-State, said he finds enthusiasm on both sides of the spectrum to vary.
“It’s a time [students] investigate a number of options,” he said. “It’s wholesome for them to investigate things that are appropriate to them at this time.”
Nonreligious thinkers are still a minority in the U.S. today. However, acceptance of these ideas is on the rise, and college campuses contain the perfect combination of elements to continue this trend.
“College is the best place to explore your view of the world,” said Kevin Perela, junior in engineering, “and it would be a mistake not to.”
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