The Nones

Where They Came From, Who They Are, and Where They Are Going

By: Ryan P. Burge

Narrated by: Jim Denison

In The Nones: Where They Came From, Who They Are, and Where They Are Going, Ryan P. Burge details a comprehensive picture of an increasingly significant group - Americans who say they have no religious affiliation.

The growth of the nones in American society has been dramatic. In 1972, just five percent of Americans claimed "no religion" on the General Social Survey. In 2018, that number rose to 23.7 percent, making the nones as numerous as both evangelical Protestants and Roman Catholics. Every indication is that the nones will be the largest religious group in the United States in the next decade. Burge's accessible book draws from carefully curated datasets, some tracking changes in American religion over a long period of time, others large enough to allow a statistical deep dive on subgroups such as atheists and agnostics. Burge also draws on data that tracks how individuals move in and out of religion over time, helping listeners understand what type of people become nones and what factors lead an individual to return to religion.

The Nones gives listeners a nuanced, accurate, and meaningful picture of the growing number of Americans who say they have no religious affiliation. Burge explains how this rise happened, who the nones are, and what they mean for the future of American religion.

©2021 Fortress Press, an imprint of 1517 Media (P)2021 eChristian

Very interesting

Good data and interesting analysis. Thought provoking and worthwhile for those interested in the future

nice and concise with unbaised solid data analytic

the perspective was very credible. enjoyed it overall and thought the analysis came to good conclusions

A "must read" for today's churches.

"The Nones" offers an eye opening perspective on the fastest-growing "religious" group in the US. Since the year of publication, the number of religiously unaffiliated people has grown. Chruches of every denomination would do well to give this a listen.

While the author focuses on socio-economic and political factors as drivers for decline in church participation, it might help to research how the development of affluent exurbs and the Christian obsession with "big box" ministry may have influenced this decline. Are less affluent, one car (or no car) two job and side hustle "nothing in particulars" simply shut out of church from a logistical perspective?

I'd love to see a follow on work with geographic migration, economic dislocation and simple scheduling barriers in mind.

A Good Book Loaded With Statistics

I enjoyed the book, and the author presented statistical information that will no doubt benefit those trying to understand, from a social science perspective, the changes taking place in Christian society today. I gave this book a less than perfect score, however, believing the book may be a little difficult or challenging for those who aren’t interested in statistics and social science. For me, however, I found the book interesting and informative.

I am not alone being a “None”.

This book is a data driven discussion on the state of religion in our United States. I am requesting my local library to get this paper back version of this book. There are descriptions of graphs and charts that I need to see visually. I may purchase my own copy if I need it for a book club discussion.

The last chapter ends on a positive note of service to our fellow people of this country. I was able to listen while gardening and doing some tractor work on my property. (I’m retired from my medical practice after 44 years)

The author is a pastor and a political science professor at his local university. WOW! What a perfect combination for the times we are in.

Thank you to the professor for writing this book and to Audible for making this information available to a wide audience.

I wouldn’t bother.

Starts out good door stats but ends up turning into a political rant in the end. Not worth it.