According to the 2013 National Survey of Latinos and Religion, conducted by Pew Research Center, the number of Hispanic American ‘nones’, individuals who belong to no particular religion or are agnostic or atheist, seem to have been on a steady rise. According to the survey, as much as 18 percent Hispanics do not associate themselves with any religion today.

The Hispanic nones have grown very quickly, from 10 percent in 2010 to 18 percent in 2013. The most pronounced switch was seen among younger Latinos, with a surprising 31 percent among those who are aged between 18 and 29 years saying they are religiously unaffiliated. This is approximately two-thirds the figure (45 percent) of those who identify as Catholics. However, only a portion of Hispanic nones said they are atheists while 68 percent of all nones continue to believe in God.

The trend suggests one in five Hispanics are non-believers as opposed to one in six that identify as Republicans. The trend also suggests that the number of Hispanic nones now surpass the number of evangelical Protestants, which is 16 percent.  This development could have a significant impact on the existing political system, and in all probability prove to be unfavourable for the Republicans.

For instance, 80 percent of Hispanic nones are in support of same-sex marriage as opposed to 21 percent of Hispanic evangelicals who are not. Similarly, 69 percent Hispanic nones favour abortion as opposed to 25 percent Hispanic evangelicals who do not. Experts believe Republicans may have to change their ideologies dramatically within a few years to cater to the interest of Hispanic nones.

Photo Credit: Dan Etherington