least religious countries in the world

**Meelis13** · July 13, 2011, 04:44 AM

im curious, wich countries are least religious in the world. latest scientific survey i could find (from 2009), said its Estonia (wich is actually pretty plausible), but many say, that sweden is least religious.

**diez** · July 13, 2011, 05:26 AM

2 maps i found in wikipedia:
the first is the percentage of atheists and agnosticists in the world
the 2nd is the percentage of ppl who think that dont believe in any sort of spirit god or life force.(europe only)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ckerman_en.svg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...f_enhanced.png

**Ancient Aliens** · July 13, 2011, 11:02 AM

http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html

Take note of Israel and China. I am always astounded when I see how high Israel is on the list and how low China is on the list.

**Hilarion** · July 13, 2011, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by Ancient Aliens

http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html

Take note of Israel and China. I am always astounded when I see how high Israel is on the list and how low China is on the list.

Israel is a Western and secular country. China does not share that heritage.

Interestingly, both China and Russia were subject to militant atheism under Mao and Stalin respectively, and yet religion has survived in both nations and is even experiencing a resurgence. Intolerance and suppression is very much a double-edged sword.

**Ancient Aliens** · July 13, 2011, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by Viscount Bolingbroke

Interestingly, both China and Russia were subject to militant atheism under Mao and Stalin respectively, and yet religion has survived in both nations and is even experiencing a resurgence. Intolerance and suppression is very much a double-edged sword.

That is exactly what I was refering to, in addition to Chinese philosophies that exclude the notion of a deity...

**Hilarion** · July 13, 2011, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by Ancient Aliens

That is exactly what I was refering to, in addition to Chinese philosophies that exclude the notion of a deity...

Such as? Confucianism for example didn't exclude the notion of a deity. I made a thread about it some weeks back.

**Hunyadi Mátyás** · July 14, 2011, 01:10 AM

Originally Posted by diez

2 maps i found in wikipedia:
the first is the percentage of atheists and agnosticists in the world
the 2nd is the percentage of ppl who think that dont believe in any sort of spirit god or life force.(europe only)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ckerman_en.svg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...f_enhanced.png

Never knew 4/5ths of Vietnamese were atheist...

**Manco** · July 13, 2011, 11:07 AM

Countries gather data differently, and some even have laws against gathering such personal data; so truly accurate sets of data don't exist unfortunately.

**Veliky Kaiser Theos** · July 13, 2011, 11:08 AM

I would say Australia is highly atheist. I large portion of the people I know are atheists. And I live in a hillbilly region in South Australia.

**Epicurean** · July 13, 2011, 11:45 AM

When you are talking about least religious countries I think you should focus on what role religion plays and how much influence it has in society, and to my knowledge Sweden appears the least religious in this regard.

**O.Chrysostomos** · July 13, 2011, 11:52 AM

From the amount of Persians I've spoken to who hate Islam and the Supreme Council I would say Iran is the least religious country.

**(s)AINT** · July 13, 2011, 12:28 PM

The USA has a lot of atheists/agnostics that are in the closet and do not say they are. The polls done in the USA are never accurate and always show that religion is strong and well (which is not true). Though it does not seem like it with characters like Bush, Palin, Bachmann and the lot - it is not fair to say that there aren't as many atheists/agnostics in this country. The amount of people who say they are not religion and check none of the above is defiantly growing. Not all them are necessary atheists.

**Squiggle** · July 13, 2011, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by Faaip de Oiad

The USA has a lot of atheists/agnostics that are in the closet and do not say they are. The polls done in the USA are never accurate and always show that religion is strong and well (which is not true). Though it does not seem like it with characters like Bush, Palin, Bachmann and the lot - it is not fair to say that there aren't as many atheists/agnostics in this country. The amount of people who say they are not religion and check none of the above is defiantly growing. Not all them are necessary atheists.

So you actually think there is a conspiracy to suppress the truth of religious demographics, or atheists are, as a rule of thumb, too stupid or too lazy to accurately mark their degree of religious observance when given an anonymous poll to do so? I understand the human need to feel like your right, that your in like company, that there is consensus and all that, but your simply wrong and clearly deluding yourself.

**(s)AINT** · July 13, 2011, 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by Squiggle

So you actually think there is a conspiracy to suppress the truth of religious demographics, or atheists are, as a rule of thumb, too stupid or too lazy to accurately mark their degree of religious observance when given an anonymous poll to do so? I understand the human need to feel like your right, that your in like company, that there is consensus and all that, but your simply wrong and clearly deluding yourself.

haha what? Don't blow it out of proportion. There is no conspiracy. It is simply that people do not claim to be atheists as much as they do in Europe. That is all.

**Squiggle** · July 13, 2011, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by Faaip de Oiad

haha what? Don't blow it out of proportion. There is no conspiracy. It is simply that people do not claim to be atheists as much as they do in Europe.

Your comment was that there is a disproportionate degree of people who do not confess the truths of their beliefs. So, what rational means can we determine to explain this refusal to admit the truth? Cultural/social pressure? Possibly in person but thats nonsense with anon. polls. So, whats left? Stupidity or laziness seems to be the only conceivable rational for a group of people to disproportionately lie about their beliefs.

Originally Posted by Faaip de Oiad

That is all. I know it is hard for you to comprehend that their are many of us who do not subscribe to your

beliefs. But do not take it out on me.

Half of my friends are Atheists, its not hard to believe. Whats hard to believe is that people think they can just spout off any irrational nonsense they please at random.

**(s)AINT** · July 13, 2011, 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by Squiggle

Your comment was that there is a disproportionate degree of people who do not confess the truths of their beliefs. So, what rational means can we determine to explain this refusal to admit the truth? Cultural/social pressure? Possibly in person but thats nonsense with anon. polls. So, whats left? Stupidity or laziness seems to be the only conceivable rational for a group of people to disproportionately lie about their beliefs.

Yes, a lot of people feel pressured by family, friends and the culture in the USA to be religious, or profess a religion in order to be considered "normal" (and not being religious can bring you to be ostracized). I know first hand since I was ostracized for a period of time. So that definitely brings people to lie at polls.

Originally Posted by Squiggle

Half of my friends are Atheists, its not hard to believe. Whats hard to believe is that people think they can just spout off any irrational nonsense they please at random.

How is what I said irrational nonsense? You have yet to prove my statement wrong.

**(s)AINT** · July 13, 2011, 09:02 PM

Not just in anon polls, but in everyday life, every day.

You tend to bring those experiences in the poll booth or whatever.

**Squiggle** · July 13, 2011, 09:14 PM

So people are so terrified and repressed in taliban-america they literally have been brainwashed through fear, and delude themselves into beliefs they dont hold? You poor, poor victim Faaip. Its a wonder your still alive </3

**(s)AINT** · July 13, 2011, 09:31 PM

No not like the Taliban in Afghanistan squiggle. Unless you've experienced it you will probably never understand.

Fortunately more and more are coming out of the closet and speaking out. It looks good for the future.