Invitation to Participate in Atheism Study

Professor Jerome Baggett is conducting a study about how atheists think about the world around them and go about the business of living their lives. If you would like to participate in this study, contact Professor Baggett using the contact information below.

Hi! My name is Jerome Baggett.  I’m a sociologist and professor at Santa Clara University who is in the early stages of a study of atheists (and other non-religious people) in the United States.  Essentially, I’m investigating how atheists think about the world around them and go about the business of living their lives.  As I’m sure you know, there are a lot of stereotypes and misconceptions about atheists, whereas I want to get beyond those and listen to what atheists themselves say about their lives.  That’s why I’m looking for people to interview about this.  These interviews only take about an hour; they can be done by phone or in person (even online in some cases); and people have overwhelmingly enjoyed the experience of being interviewed very much.  I also ask people to take about five minutes to fill out a survey (comprised of questions also appearing in national surveys), and both the interview and survey are strictly confidential. 

Ultimately, I’m planning to write what I expect will be a thoughtful, unbiased book on how people live their lives as atheists in the U.S. that will be published by a reputable press.  Please note that, while I work at a Jesuit university, this work is strictly sociological; I have no intention of writing anything that is polemical.  My sincere hope is this book will find a broad readership and begin a more nuanced national conversation about the growing numbers of people who identify in more secular terms within contemporary society. 

If you’re interested in being interviewed for this project or simply want to find out more about it, please feel free to contact me by e-mail ([email protected]).  Thanks for your consideration.