nonbelievers

Nonbelievers is a broad term used to describe people who do not hold religious beliefs or who reject religious claims. The label encompasses a variety of positions, including atheism (the lack of belief in gods), agnosticism (the view that knowledge about god(s) is uncertain or unknowable), secular humanism, freethought, and other nonreligious worldviews.

Nonbelievers may identify with a nonreligious identity or with communities and organizations that promote secular values, science, and critical thinking. They can range from those who describe themselves as atheists or agnostics to those who simply do not participate in religious practices, finding meaning outside religious frameworks.

Demographic patterns vary by region and culture. In many Western countries, nonreligious individuals represent a significant minority or even a plurality in some areas, while in other regions they are a smaller, often stigmatized group. Social experiences for nonbelievers commonly involve questions of visibility, acceptance, and rights in public life.

Because nonbelievers do not share a single creed, their views on morality, politics, and meaning are diverse. The term is not itself a philosophy, but many nonbelievers participate in secular movements that advocate for church-state separation, science education, and freedom of belief and expression.