American None is creating a new, online space for the 100+ million people in our country who check "None" when asked for their religious affiliation. It's time to get to know one another and make the world a better place.
Together.
The Movement
​
Historically, the term "Nones" refers to the 100+million Americans who no longer identify with organized religion. But today, people decline labels of all kinds (sexual orientation, gender, racial, and political identities, etc.) in preference for their inherent value as an individual within the diverse fabric of humanity.
The circle in our symbol represents the earth's One Human Family and the greater-than symbol represents the one thing that unites us all: Love. It's time to raise the bar for what is acceptable in the purview of religion. Join Nones and religious progressives in reshaping society.
​
​
​
​
​
The Message
​
Love is Greater. The American None ethos is that simple.
​
Love is greater than Fear. Love is greater than our self-imposed labels and divisions. Regardless of all human-created labels and divisions, Love unites our One Human Family.
​
​
​
​
​
The Values
​
Reason, science, inclusivity, compassion, and results ground us. Lightness of being, curiosity, balance, intelligence and Love animate us.
​
​​
​
​
​
The Lifestyle
​
American None is a lifestyle community for anyone who values Love over labels. We deliver online content that merges the way Nones live with how they experience meaningful living or spirituality — in the here and now. As a social impact company, our business supports the mission, not the other way around.
Our mission
American None promotes a new way of thinking, speaking, and experiencing spirituality based on 21st-century values. We do this by delivering online lifestyle content and supporting social advocacy initiatives toward the advancement of a more loving, inclusive world.
About Nones
None – noun: someone who selects "none of the above" as their religious affiliation.
Hidden in plain sight is the 'one' in None. We choose no labels because we recognize the oneness of all of us.
What do Nones believe?
Overwhelmingly, most Nones consider themselves spiritual and believe in Something Greater than themselves, although there is wide diversity in how this is perceived and articulated.
Nones derive spiritual and daily-living inspirations from a variety of sources including different wisdom traditions, religions, philosophies, science, the humanities, nature, and more.
At American None, we do not concern ourselves with labels. Rather, we promote the awareness that all humans and our earth are connected.
It is through this connection, that we experience spirituality.
​
​
​
Are Nones anti-religion or atheists?
Most Nones do not reject the existence of religion. They reject labels. And while they personally do not find fulfillment in organized religion, they respect the rights of those who do.
Only about 7% of the American population are self-described atheists or agnostics. Some demographers include these two subsets under the category of Nones and some do not.
At American None, we don't care what you call yourself. All people who value Love over labels are welcome.
​
​
​
How do Nones practice spirituality?
Nones practice spirituality in simple acts of everyday living and through meaningful relationships and experiences.
Spirituality is something that should be manifested through action, transformational results, and the betterment of the world in the here and now.
​
Nones live out their spirituality through some common lifestyle interests — Relationships (friends & family), Food, Fitness, Pets, Adventure (at home or through travel), Giving Back, Spirituality, and of course, FUN (music, movies, the arts, etc.). The American None blog is based on these categories.
​
​
​
What is the origin of the term "Nones"?"
​
The term ‘Nones’ is attributed to Dr. Barry Kosmin, the founding director of the Institute for the Study of Secularism in Society and Culture (ISSSC). He coined this term to refer to the burgeoning swath of Americans who select “None” or “None of the Above” when asked for their religious affiliation.
​
The term was originally used as a denotation for demographers who study religious (or lack thereof) trends in the United States. However, after nearly 20 years of use primarily by researchers and journalists, the term is beginning to seep into the general public’s consciousness. And naturally, when that happens, a term takes on a life of its own.
​
The American None organization is the platform through which millions of people can explore, share, and collectively define what it means to be a None.
​
​
​
​