Do the math. “Nones” were 10% of America’s population in 1996, 15% in 2006, 20% in 2014 and 26% in 2019. This stunning trend linked many stories that I have covered for decades, since this past week marked my 33rd anniversary writing this national “On Religion” column.<\/p>\n
Obviously, these evolving labels described a growing phenomenon in public and private life, said political scientist Ryan Burge of Eastern Illinois University, author of the new book, “The Nones: Where They Came From, Who They Are, and Where They Are Going.” <\/p>\n
But hidden under that “nones” umbrella are divisions that deserve attention. For example, the 2018 Cooperative Congressional Election Study found that 5.7% of the American population is atheist, 5.7% agnostic and 19.9% “nothing in particular.”<\/p>\n
“When you say ‘nones’ and all you think about is atheists and agnostics, then you’re not seeing the big picture,” said Burge, who is a contributor at the GetReligion.org website I have led since 2004. “Atheists have a community. Atheists have a belief system. They are highly active when it comes to politics and public institutions.<\/p>\n
“But these ‘nothing in particular’ Americans don’t have any of that. They’re struggling. They’re disconnected from American life in so many ways.”<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n https:\/\/t.co\/5vCW0RYbE3<\/a> | Terry Mattingly: Under the nones umbrella #religion<\/a> #sociology<\/a> #usa<\/a> #culturewatch<\/a> @agnostics<\/a> \u201cAtheists have a community…"But these 'nothing in particular' Americans don't have any of that"<\/p>\n — Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) April 28, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n