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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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7

Mississippi Most Religious State, Vermont the Least

Bible belt has most religious states, New England some of least

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(Newser) – If you’re looking for religion, head to Mississippi; if you want to avoid it, choose Vermont, a new Gallup survey suggests. Mississippi is ranked as America’s most religious state, with 85% saying religion is “an important part of daily life.” At the other end of the scale is Vermont at 42%, USA Today reports. Other Bible-belt states fill out the top spots, while New England dominates among the nonbelievers.

"New England is now slightly ahead of the Pacific Northwest in terms of the high rate of unchurched people," said one expert. After Mississippi, most-religious states include Alabama (82%) and South Carolina (80%). Least-religious leaders include New Hampshire (46%) and Maine (48%). Overall, 65% of Americans said religion was a key part of daily life.

Marchers walk past the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church toward the Alabama State Capitol to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 19, 2009 in Montgomery.
Marchers walk past the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church toward the Alabama State Capitol to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 19, 2009 in Montgomery.   (AP Photo/Jamie Martin)
The colors of fall are seen on trees that frame the First Congregational Church in South Woodbury, Vt., Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007.
The colors of fall are seen on trees that frame the First Congregational Church in South Woodbury, Vt., Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007.   (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)
People attend a church service in Minneapolis, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007.
People attend a church service in Minneapolis, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007.   (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
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7 comments
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xomko
Jan 31, 09 9:02 AM CST
Placing this list side by side with those of the Census Bureau and Morgan Quinto, ranking education and income, makes one think [those that are capable] that there isn't much benefit "with god on our side." Reply
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Forderon
Jan 31, 09 10:34 AM CST
65% of Americans believe in fairy tales, miracles, and invisible people? Great. We're worse off than I thought. More than any kind of financial stimulus, this country needs a stimulus of rationality and logic. Reply
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Mad
Jan 31, 09 11:01 AM CST
This breaks pretty much along the lines of Red State/Blue State Reply
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MarkFL
Jan 31, 09 1:13 PM CST
It also breaks along income and education. 65% is the number that say religion plays an important role in their lives but far more believe in God. That is around 80%. Thankfully, atheists, agnostics, and generally rational people are making gains amongst the general public. What makes people believe in such nonsense as a creator god, virgin birth, revelation, rapture, heaven, prayer, or resurrection. All of these things are totally ridiculous but people persist in their belief. The religious community needs a secular alternative that provides the moral, community, and support aspects of faith without the foolish supernatural mumbo jumbo. Reply
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Thinker
Jan 31, 09 7:55 PM CST
The horrible state of our schools absolutely contributes to the high percentage of irrational thought and religious belief. Stronger schools, better education and more rational school boards will eventually reduce the influence of mysticism and religion on society. Keep voting for reason and logic. Reply
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New Hampshire • South Carolina • religion • Vermont • Alabama • Maine • Mississippi • survey • nonbelievers

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