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It is difficult to accurately determine the proportion of the population that is atheist because survey definitions, and even real life definitions, are often unclear. Some people are unsure of the existence of God, but they are sometimes counted as atheists. People who think that the existence of god cannot be proven or disproven are called agnostics (see [[Agnosticism]]). There are people who, despite being Atheists, refuse to categorize themselves as such due to the negative social stigma attached to atheism. Furthermore, surveys containing an option for "no religion" are not necessarily identifying atheists. Individuals may believe in some form of god but not subscribe to any particular religion.
It is difficult to accurately determine the proportion of the population that is atheist because survey definitions, and even real life definitions, are often unclear. Some people are unsure of the existence of God, but they are sometimes counted as atheists. People who think that the existence of god cannot be proven or disproven are called agnostics (see [[Agnosticism]]). There are people who, despite being Atheists, refuse to categorize themselves as such due to the negative social stigma attached to atheism. Furthermore, surveys containing an option for "no religion" are not necessarily identifying atheists. Individuals may believe in some form of god but not subscribe to any particular religion.
Specific research on atheists conducted in 2006 [http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/allnewsbydate.asp?NewsID=1131 suggests] that the true proportion of atheists is 4% in the United States, 17% in Great Britain and 32% in France.
Many studies put atheists in the higher intelligence group of the population. A recent meta-analysis of 39 eligible studies from 1927 to 2002 were published in the Mensa magazine, which concluded that atheists are more likely to be of higher intelligence than their non religious counterparts.<ref> Bell, Paul. "Would you believe it?" Mensa Magazine, UK Edition, Feb. 2002, pp. 12–13.</ref>
According to an article in the prestigious science journal [[Nature]] in 1998 the belief in a personal God or afterlife was very low among the members of the U.S. National Academy of Science. Only 7.0% believed in a personal God as compared to more than 85% of the general U.S. population.
<ref> Larson, Edward J.; Larry Witham (1998). "Correspondence: Leading scientists still reject God". Nature 394 (6691): 313.</ref> This also suggests that the more intelligent subjects are more unlikely to believe in god or supernatural powers.
Specific research on atheists conducted in 2006 [http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/allnewsbydate.asp?NewsID=1131 suggests] that the true proportion of atheists is 4% in the United States, 17% in Great Britain and 32% in France.
== Concern about Atheists in America ==
== Concern about Atheists in America ==