Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture

Who are the "Nones?" (with Ryan Burge)

Jan 8, 2024

Guest Ryan Burge, a political scientist and pastor, discusses the "nones" - the fastest growing religious group in the US. He explores their religious disaffiliation over the past 30 years, the rise of the "nones" in America, the incorporation of politics in churches, the link between church involvement and the "nones," and the misconception that education leads to decreased religiosity.

32:27

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Ryan Burge

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Quick takeaways

The rise of the "nones" in the United States is primarily attributed to factors such as political alignment, the availability of information through the internet, and the lack of communal support in religion.

The "nones" can be divided into three groups: atheists, agnostics, and those who identify as nothing in particular, with each group having significant demographic differences in terms of education and income.

Deep dives

The Rise of the Nones

The Nones, referring to those with no religious affiliation, are the fastest growing religious group in the United States. From 5% in 1972 to 30% today, and over 40% among Generation Z, their rise is changing American society. Factors contributing to their disaffiliation include political alignment, availability of information through the internet, and the lack of communal support in religion. Most nuns are made, not grown, with the majority leaving their faith between the ages of 15 and 25. The rise of the nuns has implications for the future of American religion and society.

The Individualization of American Religion and its Impact on Politics

04:28

Introduction

3min

The Rise of the 'Nones'

21min

Approaches to Incorporating Politics in Church

3min

Religious Convictions, Changing Landscape, and Education

3min

The Link Between Church Involvement and the 'Nones'

2min

The fastest growing “religious” group in the US is the “nones”, those with no religious affiliation. Who are these “nones” and what accounts for their religious disaffiliation over the last 30 years? We’ll answer these questions and more with our guest, political scientist and pastor, Ryan Burge from his updated book called “The Nones.”

Ryan Burge is an assistant professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University. He is the author of numerous books and journal articles and is a pastor in the American Baptist Church.

Read a transcript of this episode at https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2024/who-are-the-nones.

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Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.

Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.
Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video.

To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.

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Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture

Who are the "Nones?" (with Ryan Burge)

Episode guests