Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
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5. Who are ‘spiritual but not religious’ Americans?
Religious-and-spiritual Americans most likely to be involved in spiritual community
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- 5. Who are ‘spiritual but not religious’ Americans?
- Vast majority of SBNRs and religious Americans say people have a soul; but SBNRs are less likely to believe loved ones are reunited after death; and more likely to believe that parts of nature have spirits or spiritual energy
- Compared with those who are religious, ‘spiritual but not religious’ Americans tend to be younger, more Democratic
- 45% of SBNR Americans identify with a religion
- 9 in 10 SBNRs believe people have a soul or spirit in addition to their body
- Most ‘spiritual but not religious’ Americans believe animals, parts of nature and graveyards can have spirits or spiritual energies
- 38% of SBNRs believe in both heaven and hell, versus 82% of religious adults
- SBNR Americans more likely than others to say it is definitely or probably true that people who have died can be reincarnated
- 58% of SBNRs say they regularly spend time looking inward to connect with their ‘true self,’ with something bigger than themselves or with other people
- SBNRs are more likely than other groups to have crystals for spiritual purposes
- Religious-and-spiritual Americans most likely to be involved in spiritual community
- 55% of SBNRs have ever had a sudden feeling of connection with something from beyond this world
- 56% of ‘spiritual but not religious’ Americans feel a deep sense of wonder about the universe at least monthly
- 59% of ‘spiritual but not religious’ Americans say they have become less religious over the course of their lives
- ‘Spiritual but not religious’ more likely than religious adults to say religion causes division and intolerance
- 27% of SBNRs say the term ‘spiritual’ relates to feelings of connection
- 72% of SBNRs say ‘being connected with my true self’ is essential to being spiritual