“It is not a true sea change from seriously religious to unbelieving. It might actually helpfully clarify where people really stand. Still, behind all of this is a longer-term distancing of some from any association with religious faith and practice, which is significant.”
Christian Smith, sociologist, University of Notre Dame
“It’s an important shift, but it’s also important not to jump to conclusions about the meaning of this change. Even over the past five years, when the ‘nones’ have been going up””albeit at a slowing rate””there has been no change in Gallup’s measure of church attendance or importance of religion.”
Frank Newport, editor in chief, Gallup
Read it all.
(CT) Ruth Moon–Is Concern Over the Rise of the 'Nones' Overblown?
“It is not a true sea change from seriously religious to unbelieving. It might actually helpfully clarify where people really stand. Still, behind all of this is a longer-term distancing of some from any association with religious faith and practice, which is significant.”
Christian Smith, sociologist, University of Notre Dame
“It’s an important shift, but it’s also important not to jump to conclusions about the meaning of this change. Even over the past five years, when the ‘nones’ have been going up””albeit at a slowing rate””there has been no change in Gallup’s measure of church attendance or importance of religion.”
Frank Newport, editor in chief, Gallup
Read it all.