A new Pew study is shedding light on the beliefs of the "nones", the rapidly growing population group that identifies with no religion in particular. The "none" umbrella encompasses atheists, agnostics, and those who say they just don’t have a strong faith affiliation one way or the other.
Their rise has been meteoric: in the U.S., "nones" jumped from about 5% of the population in the 1970s and 80s to 28% today – making them the single largest “faith” group in America when Catholics and Protestants are counted separately (although there are signs this trend could be changing).
So, how do these so-called nonbelievers view spirituality? Are they strict atheists, or is it more complicated?
Turns out, the "nones" are a lot more spiritual than their label suggests.
What Do the "Nones" Believe?
Study authors surveyed some 23,202 nones across 22 countries encompassing North and South America, Europe, Australia, Africa, and Asia. The results were eye-opening: while they claim no formal ties to religion, many still embrace a wide range of spiritual beliefs.
An Afterlife Awaits
In all 22 of the surveyed countries, about a fifth or more of the respondents report belief in an afterlife. In the United States, a whopping 42% of "nones" say it is likely that there is life after death. In seven of the countries, more than half of those surveyed say that life after death is likely.
Animals Have Spirits
Among the "nones", belief in animal spirits is high. Within the United States, 60% of the religiously unaffiliated report a belief that animals have spirits, and in most surveyed countries more than half of the "nones" surveyed reported belief in animal spirits.
And they believe that animals aren’t the only part of nature with spirits; In 12 of the countries, half or more of the respondents reported that mountains, rivers, or trees could also carry spiritual energies.
The survey also found that many "nones" hold a belief in ancestral spirits. In most countries, about a quarter of respondents stated that the spirits of their ancestors hold sway over their lives.
Magic Is Real
Spells and magic? The "nones" love those too. In most countries, about a quarter of the religiously unaffiliated reported sincere belief in magic, spells, and curses, and their genuine ability to influence people’s lives.
There is a God?
Surprisingly, many "nones" even believe in God. While belief in the Almighty was generally lower amongst the religiously unaffiliated in Europe and Asia, "nones" in South Africa and Latin America reported belief in God at rates higher than 50%.
In Brazil, belief in God among this nonreligious group stood at a whopping 92%. Meanwhile, 45% of "nones" in the United States reported belief in a God.
What to Make of These Results?
For many, the results of the survey were shocking. How can a group which self identifies as religiously unaffiliated be so spiritual? How can many of them even believe in God?
The findings challenge the idea that “none” equals faithless – instead, they reveal a spectrum of spirituality that defies traditional categories. The survey found that simple nonbelief isn’t always the only reason these unaffiliated folks identify the way they do.
In the United States, 30% of "nones" reported that “bad experiences with religious people” was one of their primary reasons for their beliefs, with many citing poor treatment of the LGBTQ+ community in particular. And nearly half reported their belief is heavily influenced by a dislike of religious organizations in general.
In short: the "nones" aren’t necessarily rejecting spirituality — they’re rejecting the institutions and systems that dictate it.
46 comments
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James Riggle-Johnson
The last line of the article says it all: ‘the "nones" aren’t necessarily rejecting spirituality — they’re rejecting the institutions and systems that dictate it.’
I grew up Christian, and for a while even found deep meaning in Catholicism. But over time, I realized that too many people use religion not to uplift, but to condemn. They wield the Bible like a weapon, forgetting that judgment belongs to God—not us.
I still believe in something like God, but not as a man in the sky directing our lives. To me, God is far greater than anything humans can understand, write down, or control. That’s why I think so many of us are turning away from institutions—we’re not rejecting faith; we’re rejecting the hate that gets wrapped in its name. People use religion to justify war, slavery, inequality, murder, and their own superiority. It’s when we hear “It’s my God given right…” that we really need to worry.
And yes, I do believe in an afterlife. As for magic and spells, they really aren’t that different than prayers. It’s amazing what can happen when if you believe it can.
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Patricia Ann Gross
Anyone claiming an animal does not have a spirit has never had a beloved pet.
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Robin Anne Hannon
Unless you have no eyes, yes animals have spirits. That doesn't make them human, their spirits are different than ours obviously. But they love unconditionally, they protect, they are loyal to a fault. As to magic, occult practice is real but I prefer to avoid anything concerning it. Not surprising people believe in an afterlife, even if it doesn't always align with christian concepts of that.
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Robert S Collins
For years I told my parishioners that it’s no coincidence what Dog spelled backwards is.
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Steven Leroy Molburg
I love my pets but they don’t know they love unconditionally and are loyal. They don’t have the ability of cognitive thought. Their loyalty is won through the care we give them.
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Walter Abington
Belief in spirits or a god is not atheistic. It’s agnostic. Atheopaganism is a good way to express oneself of mother Earth without god worship. The only good religion is no religion.
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Lionheart
Well, you knew I was going to post on this one….right? 🤭
As a NONE, I don’t agree with everything this article pointed out, but it might fit some Nones.
As an ex-High Priest, and realizing I was spreading stories of misinformation that had no demonstrable evidence, I woke up and had to be truthful with myself and just couldn’t do it any longer. My none-ism is based on the fact the efficacy of prayer is none existent, even though I pretended, and told people, it worked. It sounded good coming from a High Priest at the pulpit, and by doing so I conned people into believing it.
I also came to the reality their is no God, even though people will say I have been misguided, but MY truth is….it’s the biggest load of BS that has been spread around the globe, in all of its deistic forms.
I’m totally okay with those that want to believe in all of those religions. If it’s okay for them…thats great. If they need it….thats great. Just don’t give the blackmailing mental abuse story of Hell to those that don’t want to believe in their particular religion.
It’s an interesting topic though and I look forward to reading those who are not “Nones”, like I used to be. 🤗
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Bishop William Dusenberry, DD
You came to the reality that there is no God? None of the Gods you became familiar with— you should have stated. You just never even considered the one and only true (provable) God, that’s the maker of all things, both visible and invisible (as per quantum mechanics) a God that always was, and always will be - and that’s mother or father Nature - the choice is yours. If you don’t accept that Nature is the creator of all things, including supernatural Gods, then you really are an atheist, however if you acknowledge that Nature is the master of everything, than you have a God you can prove to any atheist, anywhere,
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Lionheart
Perhaps I should have said I came to the reality there is no demonstrable evidence for any of the worlds Gods and so I couldn’t continue to profess that I knew one did exist.
As for your comment regarding a “one and only provable god”, we both know that is not a true statement. There is actually a Nobel prize waiting for the first person on earth to prove any of the world’s gods are real. Perhaps it would be wonderful if there really was a god, and it would be even more wonderful if any of the worlds omnipotent gods were capable of proving unequivocally they are real to quell the issues mankind has with all of these worlds religions mankind has created. It would be nice if a god actually showed up, just like it did for those that believed the sun was a god thousands of years ago. It least that god actually showed up every day. 🤭
Thanks for your interest, Sir William. 🤗
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Bishop William Dusenberry, DD
As there’s no known description, of what constitutes being a God — especially a God that everyone’s able to agree on, 100% of the people agree, that either mother or father Nature, always was, and always will be — hence Nature has all the characteristics of what’s supposed to constitute a God — except Nature never created anything that could impregnate a virgin, to spawn a supernatural God. To allege that Nature isn’t God, would be blasphemy— especially to those of us who claim that Dr. Tyson (Ph.D) is our personal astrophysicist, and who’s also a promoter of Nature of being the creator of everything either visible or invisible. As Napoleon once proclaimed “if you must worship something, worship the Sun, because in our solar system, the Sun is the source of all life; and is therefore our closest subordinate God.
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Lionheart
Yes, it definitely is an interesting topic. I guess in many ways we all are guilty of creating our own gods. Nature, geology, the Cosmos, has existed even before mankind, all doing what it does best, and will more than likely continue to do what it does best even after mankind has gone, when there is no one left to create any gods.
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ServantOfJudgement
Man can and does destroy nature. I've read we have the power to destroy it entirely. This does not fit in any description or imagination of any god that I'm aware of. I suppose this might be evidence that Mankind is the god between the two of one were a god.
It is undeniably true that any statement of our origin or the origin of the cosmos ultimately ends with one choosing to believe that statement.
Even the statement of The Big Bang requires an education the extreme vast majority simply cannot achieve to comprehend, therefore one must believe what another man has written down. We have all heard this very same critique of the bible.
Nobody knows and there's nothing anyone can do about it.
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Bishop William Dusenberry, DD
Nature can’t be destroyed — only wounded by those who never studied it.
Nature always was, and always will be — abused, violated, not paid attention to — but it can’t possibly be destroyed — but Nature will destroy humankind (on this planet at least) if, through our disrespect for Nature, we keep using fossil fuels instead of solar and wind.
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David Douglas Winters
There is no proof that God does not exist of course. But in the other hand, our universe and the life therein are not remotely explainable without some sort of reasoned assembly. So the only answerable question is, “Which is worth believing in?” Which gives hope? Which pre-supposes a purpose? Which defines and elevates goodness, kindness, and love, setting them apart from evil, cruelty, and hatred? Which holds life worthy of preservation and protection?
The answer should be obvious.
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David Douglas Winters
It would be nice if God just showed up and publicly demonstrated the truth of his supernatural existence?
What if he showed up, was documented, and the witnesses so strongly believed in what they saw that they were willing to die rather than deny it?
Would that satisfy your wish?
What if all those things happened? Would you really accept it or would you merely deny it as a pre-decided conclusion?
Now what if I told you all those things already happened and are already a matter of record?
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Lionheart
How do we know all those things happened? People all over the world, of all religions, have died for what they religiously believed in. How do we know that your particular god that you like to believe in is a “He”?
We all know that there is no proof that your God, or any of the world’s gods, do not exist, just like we all know that there is no proof that Santa Claus, fairies, elves, gnomes, Sasquatch, and the Loch Ness Monster, do not exist.
Thank you for your contribution to this discussion, Sir David.
🦁❤️
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Rev_Shaun
"You just never even considered the one and only true (provable) God,"
And this proof is where exactly?
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Rei Umiko Hiroki
It dosent really matter WHAT you have faith in. All that matters is that you HAVE faith.
I include my self in the "none" group because my ideas on spirituality have evolved over time and don't really align with a single belief system.
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Alexander Clarke
You can believe and you can have faith and you can do it without involving religion. Religion was created by man to control man and to keep women "in their place". Religion's only purpose is to control what you thing, say, do and separate you from your wealth. Religion has done more to tear people apart and promote hate.
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Reverend Paula Copp
Each individual has a personal relationship with the divine, and the “none’s” have it right.
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Joe R Day
Thanks Paula, for me the 'Divine' lives in my heart and I try to 'Live Up' to my expectations of myself... Personally, I believe it is my actions while living that make my beliefs true... Not some weird heaven/hell/purgatory combo. Only humans could conceive of a unending punishment lol.. I am a 'None' but there is no 'relationship with the divine'... because there is no 'Divine'... only human imagination and a desire to 'Know something bigger'...
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Rev Ned
If, out of all the religions in the world, only one is true, then logic dictates none is true.
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Bishop William Dusenberry, DD
There’s only one ‘true” religion, the religion that can actually prove that God exists, and that religion knows (doesn’t merely believe, because a belief if something that can’t be proved) that God and Nature are synonymous— period. Nature is the creator of all things, both visible and invisible (such as dark matter, per Dr. Tyson).
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Najah P Tamargo
Najah Tamargo-USA
I suppose I qualify as a partial "none", although I don't believe in magic, spells and curses. (However, I do love a good magic show!!!) As long as they believe in something,, leave them alone!!
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Joe R Day
While I agree with 'I love a good magic show'...
"As long as they believe in 'something'."
Belief in 'something' religious can be problematic... As is evidenced in the KJV and several other religious texts...
I have always wondered about the human visceral need to 'Believe in Something Bigger Than Us'. Why? Is it because we are so... little? So insignificant in the Grand Scheme of the Universe?
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ServantOfJudgement
I think it's far easier to believe in a God than self creation and self spawning life with better than perfect replication. I just couldn't logically accept my atheism for very long.
Animals are far more than what's been believed for so long by so many. They all have their own language, some understanding Man's languages and being taught sign language. Amazing really. Even the Bible tells us animals are much more than it seems. Only now does science begin to agree with that ancient text book.
Mega meat farms are definitely bad mojo for this reason. Not very good to our animal friends when we do that to them.
Who really knows what's out there until the end.
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Lionheart
Yes, it is far easier to believe in a God. That’s how it has always been since mankind first paid homage to the Sun because they needed something to believe in, and that’s totally okay.
As for “Who really knows what’s out there until the end”, well, we might never know, especially if there’s nothing after this life, in which case we will never know. 🤭 None of us have any recollection before this life, and that’s how it might be after this life. It’s an interesting concept though. I do hope there is something after this life. I’d like to see my mother and father again, but who really knows for sure? 🤷 There will be many people here that will say they know for sure, but in reality, they don’t.
It is interesting though that there are those who have been religious, and then became a None, just like there are those who were at one time a none, and now want to believe in a deity and spirits.
Great topic! 👍
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Michael D Yager
Well said, Lionheart…
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Bishop William Dusenberry, DD
Those using the word “spiritual” (who know that there’s no such thing as anything ever proven to be, supernatural) should consult a thesaurus, and find the best word to use, that doesn’t imply, or in any other way suggest, that supernaturalism is involved. A “spiritual” experience, while observing the earth, rotating away from the sun, could be more accurately described as “awesome” or “inspirational” without suggesting anything supernatural was involved; which is how I’d advise any of my SHP congregants.
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Rev. BH
When I recently filled out the questionnaire for a hospital visit, for Religious Preference (in case I died while waiting seven hours in ER!) I answered none. But that’s only because I had no specific name for what I “believe” in. Elements of Paganism, Buddhism, American Indian and Celtic Spiritualism. “Believe” is in quotes because that’s not quite the word. “Like” might be a better word. I like the concept of interconnectedness amongst man and nature. The Sun provides warmth, the rain provides water, plants purify our air, earth provides minerals. Animals provide food and companionship. Our fellow man (hopefully) offers kinship, kindness and comfort. Without these things and many others we have nothing. Yet without a belief in any of a multitude of gods, we continue to have all these things. I am not a “none”, I am an Everything.
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Bishop William Dusenberry, DD
When I entered basic training, I was required to reveal what was supposed to be my religion — and when I didn’t indicate anything, “none” was not an option — I had to settle of “no preference” — which I still found objectionable, because it suggested that i was still looking for the best of all the known religions available.
Now, if I’m ever recalled to active duty, I’ll list “Secular Pantheist Humanism” as my religion, because the Supreme Court ruled that Humanism is a religion— even though religion was before this latest SCOTUS decision, a religion was supposed to be supernatural.
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B/W Clerg. Clive Orlando Hessing
🙅🏽♂️
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
These ‘nones’ sure believe in a LOT of things. I guess this just means that given great number of hoops and irrational beliefs presented by all of the major, and even minor, religions the ‘nones’ can’t honestly go for a paid subscription. But they kinda’ sorta’ think ‘something is going on’ and maintain their own choices of nonsense from each.
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Jacqueline Ellis
EXACTLY...It's not that us "none's" aren't spiritual. I practice my faith 7 days a week as I am a Kemetic Minister (Ancient Egyptian faith). I am VERY faithful and spiritual. The problem arises when humans forget that WE humans wrote down the words of religion...Not the other way around. And the Nicaea Convention is what determined WHAT would be in the "Christian Bible"...Hmmm, as soon as HUMANS begin interfering in that way, (OR asking for MONEY!) you have RUINED that special relationship as a healer with Nature, and the Universe and the world around you. Peace to all~
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Michele Marie Miles
Organized religion has become a rumor mill and a fashion show and is more about money and forcing beliefs on others than it is about the higher beings they supposedly represent. It is not necessarily that these people are "nones"; it is that they cannot put a box around their beliefs or check a religion on a form. The only option is to check "none" or "other." I felt that.
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Ari Joseph Bertine
What's surprising to me is that when someone asks about religious affiliation, they are assuming a lack of a formal connection to a denomination or religous sect means a lack of spirituality. How shortsighted. Contemplating religion is supposed to make you wiser and more perceptive, not just aware of the lint formations in your own navel.
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Colleen McAllister
I am a Christian by belief, a Baptist in practice, and a woman of Faith. Religion to me is the framework that many hang their faith on. Do I believe in a God? Yes, as in the One who created the Universe. Do I believe in an afterlife? Yes and I have seen proof of it. Can zi show you that proof? No as it comes to me in the form of dreams which can only be told and not shown. Yes I have documented them. Those who identify as nones are simply unable to get plain their beliefs. My opinion.
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Lionheart
Thank you for giving us your opinion of what you like to believe, Lady Colleen.
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Roy S. Thorpe
Organized religion has brought this upon themselves with their high-handed techniques including FEAR as a method of enforcing their beliefs on people! Most people left to their own devices will come to realize that God exists in the world that surrounds them! A lot of "nones" have a better concept of God than the conditioned by religion believers!
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Penny Prentice-Best
I grew up with religion. I had a lovely picture of the Christed Jesus on the wall by my bed. Over time I observed many people in the church acting in ways that did not align with the messages of the church. It was troubling. I had my own experience with an angelic presence as a teen, that gave me a sense of what God's love truly was. I found after years of seeking that the peace, sense of total acceptance, inspiration, and belonging was a spiritual experience that was not dependent on religious structure. I understand that religious structures have been a step in man's spiritual development. We are at a place where we as a human community must look at the ways that our religious structures have created division and made some higher than others. This hierarchy of good, better, best, and less than is a manmade structure. It is not divine. We are One human family and part of a diverse family of creation. We live in a conscious universe filled with endless expressions of God, the One Source. For some time we humans have perceived ourselves to be the only truly conscious beings on the planet, but it was not always so. Now our science confirms that there are differing levels of consciousness and perception in animals, plants, even in the cells of our body. There is magic in the universe that we are getting reacquainted with. May the God in each of us see the God in all others and everything around us.
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John Reseigh
A part of what is missing in this survey is the nature of the god "nones" believe in. I believe there is a god but not the one preached in churches, synagogues, or mosques. Science says that the universe sprang into existence billions of years ago. It can describe what the conditions were like nanoseconds after the Big Bang but it cannot tell us what caused it. Therefore "god" is as good an explanation as any for the creative force that started it all. I don't believe in a interventional god. Obviously I would answer the survey question that I did believe in god but it would be misleading to characterize me as a believer since my belief would change if science can offer a different explanation.
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Joe R Day
I was 'raised in the Faith' (St John's Methodist), attended bible school for over 10 years, joined a bible study group for 5 years and I was certain I would qualify for Heaven... I was pulled aside one evening and asked to leave the study group. It seemed my 'pointed questions' about the KJV were creating a 'schism of Faith' in the group. I asked them to explain the discrepancy between 6,000 years and 4.3 billion years, concerning the age of earth. I asked about the 'Rules for Owning Slaves' and the rules for how to treat your wife and the habit of collecting wives and concubines for sex and offspring. I asked about 'God's Love' and the tribes that were wiped out (men, women, children and animals). A partial list would include: "In the Old Testament, there are several instances of mass killings that are often interpreted as acts of genocide or commandments from God. "The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18-19) and the Egyptian firstborn sons during the Passover (Exodus 11-12).
"The Canaanites under Moses and Joshua (Numbers 21:2-3; Deuteronomy 20:17; Joshua 6:17, 21).
"The Amalekites annihilated by Saul (1 Samuel 15).
"The Levites killed during the battle of Gibeah (Judges 20).
I was told "Oh, that's Old Testament stuff. That's just history. God is love!"
When I asked about the New Testament battle, the tribe of Benjamin is mentioned in the context of a violent event where 25,000 men were killed during a battle against the city of Gibeah." I was told "The Will of God should not be questioned!"
"Okay, how am I to know the Will of God? Who does he speak to about his Will? Who is the 'mouthpiece' for God? How do I know that the preacher is privy to God's will, and not just speaking for himself?"
"God works in mysterious ways, trust the bible to guide you." "Oh, you mean the book filled with murder, incest, rape and subjugation of entire races?"
I joined the American Indian Church a few years later because the idea of a Great Spirit resonated with my religious upbringing. I took the sacrament of the church (peyote) several times in 3 years. I went to drumming circles and potlucks for charity. I made good friends with good people and my heart was happier.
Through the years, I used meditation and soul-searches to find my Spiritual Center and to banish the doubts in my heart and mind...
My belief now, at 71 is 'there is no GOD', no heaven or hell or purgatory. The 'Measure of Our Lives' is how we live today... That is our true selves... How we treat others, folks we meet in our everyday lives, how we treat those who can do nothing for us and how we treat animals around us.
It is my firm belief that when we die? That's it, that's all there is. Humans invented God and heaven/hell. There is no supernatural being that watches us always. There is no 'all-knowing (omniscient), all-powerful (omnipotent) being who exists in another dimension and is actively involved in the lives of 8 billion humans... not to mention the rest of the universe!
Some will trot out the 'Electrical Energy' theory and try to explain how 'Energy cannot be created or destroyed! We have an electric soul that has to go somewhere!"
They forgot that energy can be dispersed... So, I believe when we die? Our energy is dispersed into the vastness of our universe.
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Religion as a Weapon is Wrong
Omniest here. Omnism is not a religion, it is the examination of the 12 major religions and the ability to see the commonality between all 12 of them. Commonality. It does not mean that an Omniest believes in all religions, it means that one seeks to find where they have common ground. An Omniest can have a religion they follow or none and still be an Omniest. For the purposes of this article, Omnism probably makes me a "none" but that is not true. As far as organized religion is concerned, I find that they can't meet what I consider to be something I can commit to, probably because religions are led by humans and as humans, we are flawed. We could be a better world if people that are strict followers of any religion would try to understand how people of other religions or no religions probably have something in common and good to offer. Google omnism and you will find preachers of various religions ripping it apart, condemning the thought as evil, and generally disparaging anyone that wants to get along on the points with which they agree. There are also groups that claim to be Omniest that are working under cover for particular religions. Be honest people. Just be honest.
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Padre Doug
So many surveys and questionnaires ask if I believe in GOD. The idea of "a God" is a big problem for me. It's a belief that there is an all powerful entity watching and judging us.. I think this kind of thinking must come from the same ancient place in the human brain that allows kings, emperors, and rulers of all types to claim to be an all powerful god. I am a pantheist and believe that the divine exists in all things. In the book "The Grapes of Wrath", the character Preacher Casey says that he believes that we are all just one big soul. For me that includes animals, plants and everything else around us.
The first step to entering a spiritual life is to leave organized religion.
Amen!