In most countries studied, 2 in 10 or fewer ‘nones’ light candles or incense for spiritual reasons | Pew Research Center

August 28, 2025

Many Religious ‘Nones’ Around the World Hold Spiritual Beliefs

In most countries studied, 2 in 10 or fewer ‘nones’ light candles or incense for spiritual reasons

In most countries studied, 2 in 10 or fewer ‘nones’ light candles or incense for spiritual reasons

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In most countries studied, 2 in 10 or fewer ‘nones’ light candles or incense for spiritual reasons

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Many Religious ‘Nones’ Around the World Hold Spiritual Beliefs
Countries included in this report
‘Nones’ are less likely than religiously affiliated adults to believe in an afterlife
Among the religiously unaffiliated, many believe animals can have spirits
In Sweden, 52% of adults are ‘nones,’ and about half of them believe neither in God nor in an afterlife nor in the existence of something spiritual beyond this world
In most countries studied, 2 in 10 or fewer ‘nones’ light candles or incense for spiritual reasons
Many ‘nones’ identify religiously as ‘nothing in particular’ rather than as atheist or agnostic
In half of studied countries, 60% or more of ‘nones’ say religion is not at all important to them
Three-quarters of ‘nones’ in Australia, Germany and Sweden think religion encourages intolerance
In many surveyed countries, few ‘nones’ say it is important to have a strongly religious national leader