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While academics are generally less religious than the general population, the majority of scholars are not atheists. Most identify as religious or believe in a God or higher power.

Here's a breakdown of findings from various surveys:
* Belief in God/Higher Power:
* More than half of academics believe in God, and less than a quarter are atheist or agnostic, according to a 2007 survey of 1,500 professors across various institutions.
* Another study found that well over half of surveyed professors can be described as believers in God, with 35.7% having "no doubts" and 16.9% believing "despite doubts."
* A 2009 Pew Research Center poll of scientists found that just over half (51%) believe in some form of deity or higher power (33% in God, 18% in a universal spirit).
* Globally, a 2015 study challenged the assumption that most scientists are atheists, reporting that more than half of scientists in countries like India, Italy, Taiwan, and Turkey self-identify as religious.

• Atheism/Agnosticism among Scholars:

  • A 2007 study found that 23.4% of professors surveyed classified themselves as agnostic or atheist. This is higher than the general American population (6.9% of all Americans and 11.2% of Americans with four or more years of college education).
  • Among faculty, 8% identified as atheists in one survey.
  • In elite research institutions, the percentage of atheist or agnostic professors can be higher (e.g., nearly 37% at such institutions).
  • Specific fields show variations: 61% of psychology and biology professors were found to be agnostic or atheist, while 63% of accounting professors reported no doubt about God's existence.

• Differences from the General Population:

  • Academics are generally less religious than the general population. For example, while 80% of the public self-identify as Christian, only 56% of faculty do.
  • Scientists are roughly half as likely as the general public to believe in God or a higher power.

In summary, while the academic community is more secular than the general public, and there are higher rates of atheism and agnosticism among scholars, particularly in certain fields and elite institutions, the majority still hold some form of religious belief or belief in a higher power.