Hey, Americans, we need to catch up with Spain! Their demographics are looking better and better for non-religious people.

The Spanish newspaper El Mundo reports what people ages 15-29 said when they were surveyed about their religious preferences (forgive the rough translation):

The number of young people practicing Catholicism has plummeted, from 29.2% in 2002 to 10.3% in 2010, according to the Youth Institute of Spain (Injuve). Also, the number of non-believers (19.1%) and atheists (9.6%) have increased nine points and three points, respectively. Non-practicing Catholics are the majority, making up 45% of the total.

So why are young people leaving Catholicism in droves? Exactly why you might guess:

… The coordinator of the magazine and member of the research team…, Jesus Sanz, says that [young people reject the Catholic Church] because “[their doctrines] collide with modernity and [because of] the activities carried out regularly by them.”

Like trying to cover up all the child raping. (Why can’t they just come out and say that…?)

But these young adults are doing more than just rejecting Catholicism. They’re leaving religion altogether. Maybe they’re realizing what American Atheists has been saying for a while: this is all a scam.

(Thanks to Jose for the link)



