Why the 'Nones' Are No Longer Growing and What it Means for Christianity

Michie · May 22, 2024

The rise of the “nones” in the religious demographics of our society has been among the most troubling trends for many Christians across recent decades. The group is typically comprised of those who do not claim membership in any religious tradition, though there is variation at times as to whether atheists and agnostics are considered part of the nones or their own categories.

However, the latest data points to an interesting and encouraging trend:

When the General Social Survey (GSS) first began to follow the nones back in 1972, they comprised roughly 5 percent of the total population.
The nones stayed in the 5–6 percent range until 1991 when they began a rather precipitous and steady rise that reached as high as 30 percent by 2013 and 35 percent by 2019.
However, the nones haven’t really grown in the last five years, ranging between 34–36 percent of the total population.
And, what’s perhaps most encouraging, their numbers have actually started to fall among the younger generations.
Similar findings have also been reported in both the Cooperative Election Study and in Pew’s latest research.

As Ryan Burge—who has studied and written about the nones for many years—concludes, “The rise of the nones may be largely over now. At least it won’t be increasing in the same way that it did in the prior thirty years.”

That’s good news. Yet, as he goes on to note, the more pertinent question is why.

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Continued below.

Why the 'Nones' Are No Longer Growing and What it Means for Christianity

As our culture becomes increasingly accepting of the decision to reject religion—and Christianity in particular—there will be fewer people who go to church on Sundays and claim to follow Jesus because it’s simply the acceptable thing to do.

www.crosswalk.com

Stephen3141 · May 23, 2024

(There is a trend in established Christian groups, to reject historical
doctrine. The recent Methodist split is an example. And by rejection,
I include such radical re-interpretation as to be incompatible with the
early historical creeds of the united Church.

I would say, that including this defection from historical Christian
doctrine, the "Nones" are still growing. Those who radically
re-interpret the historical Christian doctrines, are not Christian.
Not are they any other religion.)

FireDragon76 · May 23, 2024

Stephen3141 said:
(There is a trend in established Christian groups, to reject historical
doctrine. The recent Methodist split is an example. And by rejection,
I include such radical re-interpretation as to be incompatible with the
early historical creeds of the united Church.

I would say, that including this defection from historical Christian
doctrine, the "Nones" are still growing. Those who radically
re-interpret the historical Christian doctrines, are not Christian.
Not are they any other religion.)

Methodists haven't radically re-interpreted Christian doctrine. They've just removed part of their Book of Discipline that wasn't there originally when the denomination formed.

Arcangl86 · May 23, 2024

Stephen3141 said:
(There is a trend in established Christian groups, to reject historical
doctrine. The recent Methodist split is an example. And by rejection,
I include such radical re-interpretation as to be incompatible with the
early historical creeds of the united Church.

I would say, that including this defection from historical Christian
doctrine, the "Nones" are still growing. Those who radically
re-interpret the historical Christian doctrines, are not Christian.
Not are they any other religion.)

Then by this logic, nobody is Christian, with the possible exception of the Orthodox.

FireDragon76 · May 24, 2024

Arcangl86 said:
Then by this logic, nobody is Christian, with the possible exception of the Orthodox.

Non-Chalcedonians have them all beat, in that case.

RileyG · May 24, 2024

It’s the Holy Spirit at work among us!

RileyG · May 24, 2024

Arcangl86 said:
Then by this logic, nobody is Christian, with the possible exception of the Orthodox.

…or any of the ancient apostolic churches

Fantine · May 24, 2024

I think it stems from the need to "experience God" and the need for community.
Finding a relationship.with God can often take place through others God puts into your life.
It also can happen within the traditional practices and services of a church.
People think they can find God on their yoga mat at 6 a.m. but it's not that easy. But after you experience God, I think you look at religion more critically. You look to be spiritually fed and to be a source of love and compassion to others. You look at church as a resource, not a authoritarian dictatorship.
People respect churches that respect them.

RileyG · May 24, 2024

Fantine said:
I think it stems from the need to "experience God" and the need for community.
Finding a relationship.with God can often take place through others God puts into your life.
It also can happen within the traditional practices and services of a church.
People think they can find God on their yoga mat at 6 a.m. but it's not that easy. But after you experience God, I think you look at religion more critically. You look to be spiritually fed and to be a source of love and compassion to others. You look at church as a resource, not a authoritarian dictatorship.
People respect churches that respect them.

That’s very well said. People have a natural longing for the transcendent, the mystical, which can be difficult to find in mundane day to day life.

Arcangl86 · May 24, 2024

RileyG said:
…or any of the ancient apostolic churches

The Catholic church arguably changed doctrine with the introduction of the filioque.

RileyG · May 24, 2024

Arcangl86 said:
The Catholic church arguably changed doctrine with the introduction of the filioque.

Interesting.,,.the Anglican Church accepts the filioque.

Arcangl86 · May 25, 2024

RileyG said:
Interesting.,,.the Anglican Church accepts the filioque.

I didn't say it was bad theology, though the Anglican Church actually has a strange relationship with the filioque. But my point was that Stephen3141's own Church wouldn't be Christian under his standards.

FireDragon76 · May 25, 2024

RileyG said:
Interesting.,,.the Anglican Church accepts the filioque.

In the Episcopal Church... use of the filioque is actually optional, though customary.

RileyG · May 25, 2024

FireDragon76 said:
In the Episcopal Church... use of the filioque is actually optional, though customary.

Ok! Thanks

The Barbarian · Jun 13, 2024

Arcangl86 said:
The Catholic church arguably changed doctrine with the introduction of the filioque.

It seems like such a senseless argument over something no human will every fully understand in this world, at least.

Hazelelponi · Jun 14, 2024

So.

The nones.

It's not a bad thing, Scripture doesn't depict it as something bad.

"They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us." 1 John 2:19

So this is a good thing. You don't want people sitting in pews pretending, you want believers. Believers are the real goal.

As church members or church leaders, we should want to know who really believes and who doesn't as it provides opportunities to address issues of faith and belief for those leaving the church that wouldn't be addressed if they simply made a good pretence of it.

Fantine · Jun 14, 2024

Oops, you missed that Bible verse about preaching the Gospel to all nations.

Have you ever noticed that the biggest reason people walk away from faith is the hypocrisy and bad example of church members.

So instead of doing some needed soul searching, it's your suggestion that the remaining members double down?

The Barbarian · Jun 14, 2024

Arcangl86 said:
The Catholic church arguably changed doctrine with the introduction of the filioque.

John 15:26 But when the Paraclete cometh, whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceedeth from the Father, he shall give testimony of me.

Seems a bit unclear. Jesus can send the Holy Spirit to them, but also says that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father.

Hazelelponi · Jun 14, 2024

Fantine said:
Oops, you missed that Bible verse about preaching the Gospel to all nations.

Have you ever noticed that the biggest reason people walk away from faith is the hypocrisy and bad example of church members.

So instead of doing some needed soul searching, it's your suggestion that the remaining members double down?

Was this a reply to me?

My point is knowing they aren't saved, so we can reach out to them.

This is about sharing the Gospel to peoples understanding, not about filling up pews. Jesus cares about quality, not quantity.

When you know they need to understand the Gospel better, you can share that better understanding with them.

frienden thalord · Jun 14, 2024

RileyG said:
That’s very well said. People have a natural longing for the transcendent, the mystical, which can be difficult to find in mundane day to day life.

Its why the churches changed their approach . you are right sister .
most folks do cling for the mystical .
the problem is most of what is called mystical NO longer honors GOD at all .
People have always been enamoured by miracles , signs and wonders and experiences . NOW This
is true for anyone . But what they lack is HUNGER FOR TRUTH , FOR GOD , for sound doctrine .
Its so easy to decieve people my dear sister . just pander to experience
and spout whatever feeds their flesh . Simeone knew how to do that .
SO does new age . SO do many .
The problem is many no longer , if ever they had , a hunger for the TRUTH , a love FOR TRUTH .
I want to invite you to read something .
NO its not my own writing . Its not my own thoughts . ITS In the very bible itself .
Something many do not know .
DID you know
that GOD does test us . i bet you KNOW that very well .
BUT do you know HE can allow things to test us to prove whether its HE we love
or NOT .
Lets examine us some scrips .
IF any prophet , teacher , etc has a dream or a vision
and that vision EVEN COMES TO PASS
I THE LORD GOD have allowed it , TO TEST YOU , TO PROVE YOU
to see whether YOU loved ME .
SO many are caught up with so much emotional experiance , so much myticism
BUT they just have ZERO LOVE FOR GOD and FOR HIS WORDS , HIS DOCTRINE . that BE THE PROBLEM indeed .
SO easy it is to decieve the people . But lambs WONT HEED SUCH .

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