Nones Now the Largest Religious Group in America

Organized religionPhoto byRod LongonUnsplash

The largest religious group in the United States is now the religiously unaffiliated, or None. 28% of responders now say they are agnostic or atheists, up from 16% in 2007. They now comprise a larger group of American adults than Catholics (23%) or evangelical Protestants (24%).

While many do say they believe in a higher power, most do not attend regular religious services. Not anti-religion, necessarily, they do say religion does some harm as well as good. Perhaps not surprising, given the amount of anger and violence done in the name of religion around the country, and the world.

The group tends to be the most strongly and consistently liberal and Democratic constituencies in the United States. Nones largely say they are guided by logic and reason in making moral decisions. The concept of avoiding hurting others is a strong guide in how they perceive right and wrong.

More than half the Nones are under age 50 and white. More men than women say they are atheists, while women describe their religion as "nothing in particular."

As a whole, the group may have a profound impact on the political scene for year to come. The First Amendment says the country shall have no official religion.

Nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults (73%) say religion should be kept separate from government policies