Now let’s get into exactly what this means:

The survey summary also states that these 12% include agnostics, but this stems from a misunderstanding that exists even in academia about what atheism is. Since atheists are, by the very etymology of the word (”a” – without, “theist” – belief in a god or gods) any of those who lack a belief in a god or gods, agnostics are atheists.  Atheism is not so much a label as a fact, a state of being.  You might not like the word “atheist,” but it doesn’t mean you don’t fit into what the word represents.

By saying that they don’t know whether there is a god or not, agnostics are by definition lacking belief. You can’t have a belief in something if you doubt it.  Belief is an active acceptance of a claim, something agnostics lack when it comes to a god.  They aren’t making a strong statement of disbelief, but they still lack such belief, making them atheists. They are atheists who then qualify their lack of belief with a specific reasoning.

Agnostics themselves may disagree with this, but this often a part of their own fear of accepting the label of “atheist.”  Many former agnostics who now identify as atheist have said such, that it was simply a way to avoid full cultural condemnation by rejecting the label, whether they factually fall into such a label or not.  It is understandable, due to the societal pressures not to use “the a-word,” but that doesn’t change the facts.  Therefore, the most accurate number of atheists in America is 12%, whether they declare themselves as such or not.

Let this be known throughout the nonreligious community: we are not alone. We are growing extremely quickly. In the last seven years the number of self-identified atheists has more than doubled, and is showing no signs of abating. Let this also be a message to the American anti-atheist bigots: atheists are continuing to lose the fear of expressing ourselves which you have instilled in us for too long.

Although the actual number of people losing faith may be growing, this percentage jump also includes many of those who were already atheist but, due to societal prejudices, were unable to express such openly.  Religious bigots, you should be worried; your religiously motivated institutionalized cultural bigotry is waning. You’re a dying breed – good riddance.

From the ARIS 2008 Report Highlights:

The challenge to Christianity in the U.S. does not come from other religions but rather from a rejection of all forms of organized religion.

It is no secret that the majority of anti-atheist sentiment in America comes from those who call themselves “Christian.”  I propose that such bigotry is not helping your cause, and is instead helping to drive many not only away from Christianity, but from religion altogether.  If you want to defend your own religion, or religions altogether, you’re not helping.  For that, I can say to the bigots something I never imagined I would in a million years: thank you.