The Complexity of Being a Closet Atheist in the United States
It is quite challenging to determine the number of closet atheists in the United States. Many individuals who identify as atheists often use softer terms like freethinkers, nones, Brights, agnostics, deists, or unaffiliated to describe themselves, a practice that avoids causing offense to others. According to a report from David Silverman, the president of American Atheists, in 2023, approximately 26% of people in the U.S. can be classified as atheists. This higher percentage reflects the use of many synonyms and descriptors associated with atheism.
Interestingly, the question of counting closet atheists reminds me of a third-grade teacher who was removed from her position after admitting to needing to undress. She once stated that if no one has invented mind-reading technology, it is impossible to know for certain how many people are actual atheists. She likened it to a 'tiny handful' to '99.99% of all Americans.' This playful yet insightful analogy captures the essence of the challenge in quantifying belief systems.
The prevalence of beliefs is more about action than just professing them. Consider the legal cases where atheists have taken action, such as suing school districts or demanding that atheist symbols be allowed on headstones in national cemeteries. However, these actions are often the exception rather than the rule. The silent majority of people may not openly declare their atheism or agnosticism, but their behaviors suggest a lack of belief in a higher power.
What constitutes an atheist? To me, an atheist is someone who fundamentally questions the existence or non-existence of a deity. If God exists, is omniscient, benevolent, all-powerful, and demands adherence to specific principles, one might expect to see more alignment with these believes in everyday life. However, most people continue to live their lives as if they do not believe in God. Engaging in behavior without a belief in divine guidance suggests a form of pseudo-belief. People may not identify as atheists or agnostics, but they may meet a liberal definition of closet atheists, as they go through the motions of religion without genuine belief.
It is reasonable to assume that many people who do not explicitly call themselves atheists or agnostics, but consider themselves non-religious, are actually atheists, albeit 'closet' ones. They may not waste time or energy thinking about these beliefs, yet their actions often align with an absence of belief in a higher power.