For the past twenty years, the number of what sociologist call “nones”—people who associate themselves with no religion—has been rising as a portion of the American population. But a recent study by the Pew Research Center suggests that trend may finally be leveling off. It also provides more detail about this group, who are not precisely the secularists one might assume. Kelsey Dallas explains:
Among the 28 precent of U.S. adults who fall into the broad category of nones, 17 precent identify as atheists, 20 precent as agnostics, and 63 precent as “nothing in particular,” Pew found. Once you know that only 17 percent of nones identify as atheists, it’s easier to understand the overall group’s feelings about God.
Fully seven in ten nones say they believe in God or a higher power and 63 percent believe there’s something spiritual beyond the natural world, according to the survey. Still, it’s fair to say that most nones have a low level of religious commitment. Few pray regularly and even fewer attend religious services at least once per month.
While nones tend to be Democrats, and tend to be under the age of 50, they are otherwise much like the overall population when it comes to race, sex, and education. About half express dislike of religious institutions and people as driving them away from belief. Ryan Burge, an expert on the subject, tells Dallas he has some advice for them:
Burge said he’s gone as far as telling religious nones to start attending church just for the social benefits. “I say, ‘Go to church! I don’t care what you believe,’” he said. “Religion can do a lot of good for people socially.”
Read more on Deseret News: https://www.deseret.com/faith/2024/1/24/24022451/what-are-religious-nones-believe-in-god