University Library News
Georgia State University

Secularists descend upon D.C. for “Reason Rally”

This past Saturday in Washington, D.C., a “Reason Rally” took place. Among other objectives, its purpose was stated as “to advance secularism (in the broadest sense of the word) in society,” and the speakers included entertainers, activists, writers, members of Congress, and public intellectuals – including Richard Dawkins, author of several books regarding secularism, atheism, science, and society.

Want to learn more about sociological research on secularism, atheism, agnosticism, and nonbelief in the U.S.?  Explore some of these resources:

"First Amendment" on Newseum on Constitution Avenue, Washington, D.C. - cc mr_mayer (flickr)
"First Amendment" on Newseum on Constitution Avenue, Washington, D.C. - cc mr_mayer (flickr)

Jelen, T. G., & Wilcox, C. (1997). Conscientious objectors in the culture war?: A typology of attitudes toward church-state relations. Sociology of Religion, 58(3), 277-287.

Hout, M., & Fischer, C. S. (2002). Why more Americans have no religious preference: Politics and generations. American Sociological Review, 67(2), 165-190.

Edgell, P., Gerteis, J., & Hartmann, D. (2006). Atheists as “other”: Moral boundaries and cultural membership in society. American Sociological Review, 71(2), 211-234.

Baker, J. O., & Smith, B. (2009). None too simple: Examining issues of religious nonbelief and nonbelonging in the United States. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 48(4), 719-733.

Schafer, C. E., & Shaw, G. M. (2009). Trends – tolerance in the United States. Public Opinion Quarterly, 73(2), 404-431.

Smith, J. M. (2011). Becoming an atheist in America: Constructing identity and meaning from the rejection of theism. Sociology Of Religion, 72(2), 215-237.