Experts: The stigma of atheism has faded in Iowa

When Jason Benell told his mother-in-law he is an atheist, she asked if he worshiped the devil.

“Absolutely not,” he told her. “I don’t believe the devil exists any more than God.”

As press officer for Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers, he is used to the misperceptions, although the number of people identifying with his ideas continues to grow. The Pew Research Center’s latest survey on religion in America found that those who identify as unaffiliated, meaning atheists, agnostics or “nothing,” grew from 16.1 percent in 2007 to 22.8 percent in 2014.

Related: Why fewer rural Iowans are going to church

He said the growth may come from people who formally identified as Christians for social or cultural reasons who have now “come out of the closet” because secular values are more accepted and spread through social media.

Yet the reach of his 1,000-member group may be much larger, he claims, because many in rural areas still don’t participate out of fear it would hurt them economically in their professions or business.

“We don’t have an official stance. Do what is best for you or your family,” he said. “If you are a local real estate agent, don’t torpedo your clients.”

Faith organizations in Iowa are fighting to retain and attract members, and some are succeeding. Non-Christian faiths are rising as a percentage in Iowa, and while the percentage of Christians has dropped since 2007, it is still nearly 3 of every 4 Iowans.

Database: Which Iowa counties have highest percentage of worshipers?

More on the stats: Review highlights by city, by decade and across the country

But Hector Avalos, a professor of religious studies at Iowa State University, said the stigma of being a nonbeliever has faded. He has spoken to atheists all across Iowa.

“I see more local groups of nonbelievers organizing themselves,” he said. “There are local groups that did not exist when I arrived at Iowa State in 1993.”

Avalos said some who don’t attend church are using the Internet to fulfill their spiritual needs, while others are finding connection with nonbelievers there.

“A lot of people tell me they used to go to church for friends,” Benell said. “They don’t believe, but they still went. Now they don’t go. They go online to groups like Iowa Atheists.”

He said his group is a social organization, but also advocates for social acceptance of atheists.

He said society doesn’t need religion to teach morals, and religion can be expensive. His group’s membership is $25, and they don’t pass around a collection plate.

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