New research shows God-believing 'nones' align closely with religious Americans

Nearly 1 in 3 Americans Now Identify as Religious “Nones”—and They’re More Diverse Than You Think

In a striking shift that’s reshaping the American cultural and political landscape, nearly one-third of U.S. adults now identify as religious “nones”—a term used to describe people who claim no formal religious affiliation. But a groundbreaking new study from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln suggests that this fast-growing demographic is far more ideologically diverse than commonly assumed.

Sociologist Philip Schwadel’s research, published in the prestigious journal Sociology of Religion, challenges the widespread notion that all religious nones fit neatly into a secular, liberal box. His findings reveal that within this group, there are significant differences in belief, values, and even policy preferences—differences that could have major implications for American politics, social movements, and public discourse.

Who Are the “Nones”?

The term “nones” refers to individuals who, when asked about their religious identity, respond with “none of the above.” This category includes atheists, agnostics, and people who believe in God but don’t associate with any organized religion. Over the past two decades, the number of religious nones has surged, driven by generational changes, declining church attendance, and shifting cultural attitudes toward organized religion.

Yet, despite their growing numbers, the “nones” are often lumped together in public perception as a monolithic group of secular liberals. Schwadel’s study suggests this assumption is not only inaccurate but potentially misleading.

The Nuance Within the “Nones”

Schwadel’s research delves into the nuances of belief among religious nones, particularly focusing on those who believe in God but reject religious labels. His analysis reveals that these “believing nones” often hold policy preferences that are surprisingly similar to those of their religiously affiliated counterparts.

For example, believing nones may support traditional social values, such as opposition to abortion or same-sex marriage, at rates comparable to regular churchgoers. On the other hand, nones who do not believe in God tend to align more closely with secular, progressive positions on issues like climate change, LGBTQ+ rights, and government involvement in social welfare.

This ideological diversity within the “nones” challenges the stereotype that all nones are uniformly liberal or anti-religious. It also underscores the complexity of American religious and political identity in the 21st century.

Why This Matters

The findings have significant implications for political strategists, religious leaders, and social scientists. As the number of religious nones continues to grow, understanding their internal diversity becomes crucial for effective outreach, messaging, and coalition-building.

For instance, political campaigns that assume all nones are progressive may miss opportunities to connect with believing nones who share conservative values on certain issues. Similarly, religious organizations seeking to engage with the unaffiliated may need to recognize that some nones are open to spiritual conversations, even if they reject institutional religion.

A Shifting Religious Landscape

Schwadel’s study is part of a broader conversation about the changing nature of religion in America. While traditional religious affiliation is declining, belief in God remains widespread. This suggests that the rise of the “nones” is not necessarily a story of secularization, but rather a story of evolving religious identity.

As more Americans explore spirituality outside the confines of organized religion, the boundaries between belief and non-belief are becoming increasingly blurred. Schwadel’s research highlights the need for more nuanced conversations about faith, politics, and identity in a rapidly changing society.

Looking Ahead

As the number of religious nones continues to grow, their influence on American culture and politics is likely to expand. Understanding the diversity within this group will be key to navigating the complex intersections of religion, ideology, and public life in the years to come.

Schwadel’s study is a reminder that in an era of increasing polarization, the truth is often more complicated—and more interesting—than the headlines suggest. The rise of the “nones” is not just a story of secularization, but a story of transformation, diversity, and the enduring human search for meaning.

Tags & Viral Phrases:

• Nearly 1 in 3 Americans
• Religious “nones”
• Fast-growing group
• Ideologically diverse
• Believe in God
• Policy preferences
• Religiously affiliated
• Sociology of Religion
• University of Nebraska–Lincoln
• Philip Schwadel
• Secularization
• Spiritual but not religious
• American religious landscape
• Political implications
• Cultural shift
• Generational changes
• Declining church attendance
• Monolithic group
• Believing nones
• Progressive positions
• Traditional social values
• Coalition-building
• Evolving religious identity
• Blurred boundaries
• Polarization
• Human search for meaning
• Transformative research
• Groundbreaking study
• Nuanced conversations
• Public discourse
• American politics
• Social movements
• Religious affiliation
• Spiritual exploration
• Organized religion
• Cultural attitudes
• Shifting attitudes
• Religious identity
• Public life
• Complex intersections
• Nuanced understanding
• American society
• 21st century
• Enduring relevance
• Surprising findings
• Thought-provoking research
• Must-read study
• Eye-opening insights
• Game-changing analysis
• Deep dive into religion
• Hidden diversity
• Unexpected connections
• Beyond the headlines
• The rise of the “nones”
• A story of transformation
• The future of faith
• What you didn’t know about nones
• Breaking stereotypes
• Challenging assumptions
• The truth about nones
• Why this matters
• Looking ahead
• The next chapter in American religion

,