Nontheism facts for kids
Nontheism is a word for people who do not believe in a specific god or gods. It often describes anyone who does not follow a religion. This idea is similar to atheism, but the two words are used in slightly different ways.
Why the Word "Nontheism" Was Created
The word "nontheism" was first used by G. J. Holyoake in 1852. He chose this word because the term "atheism" sometimes had a negative meaning.
Holyoake explained that people used to think "atheist" meant someone without God and also without good morals. He wanted a word that simply meant "not accepting the idea of a god." This new word, "nontheism," helped avoid the extra negative ideas linked to "atheism."
Nontheism Around the World
Today, about 2.3% of people worldwide say they are atheists. About 11.9% are described as nontheists.
In some countries, many people are nontheists. For example, about 64% to 65% of people in Japan describe themselves as atheists, agnostics, or non-believers. In Russia, up to 48% of people are in this group. In countries that are part of the European Union, the number of nontheists can be as low as 6% (like in Italy) or as high as 85% (like in Sweden).
Related Ideas
See also
In Spanish: No teísmo para niños
