(TheIndependentStar.com) – In a shocking development signaling the end of organized religion as we know it, a recent study has found that the group of Americans often referred to as “Nones” now makes up a larger portion of the population than any single religious group.
These Nones do not identify with any religion, with 28% of American adults considering themselves religiously unaffiliated, a significant increase from 16% in 2007. According to a recent Pew Research study, this group now surpasses the number of Catholics (23%) and evangelical Protestants (24%).
Interestingly, the study also revealed that many within the Nones category still hold some belief in a higher power. While only 13% believe in “God as described in the Bible,” 56% believe in some form of “other high power.”
Additionally, 31% of Nones either do not believe in any higher power or chose not to answer the question. Almost half of the Nones (49%) say that spirituality holds some personal importance for them.
An academic working with Pew Research shared, “I think it’s possible these people don’t believe in anything [supernatural]. We just don’t have the language yet to describe what they do believe.” The academic then noted there is a need for further research to understand the nuanced beliefs of those who identify as religiously unaffiliated.
The Nones are divided into three main categories: agnostics (20%), atheists (17%), and those who believe in “nothing in particular” (63%). The demographic is almost evenly split between men (51%) and women (47%) and tends to be younger than those who align with a religion.
The growing presence of Nones, particularly among the young and well-educated, is reshaping the social landscape of the United States. This group tends to engage less in civic activities, volunteerism, and voting than their religious counterparts.
The study’s lead researcher pointed out that the Nones are distinctly liberal and Democratic, marking them as one of the most consistently liberal demographics in the country.
A 2022 Pew survey highlighted that many Americans view the increase in religious disaffiliation negatively, with 45% believing that the U.S. should remain a “Christian Nation.” However, the percentage of Nones has slightly decreased from a peak of over 30% during the pandemic, suggesting dynamic changes in religious identification among Americans.
