Question 1

What do Nones believe?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

Are Nones anti-religion or atheists?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

How do Nones practice spirituality?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

What is the origin of the term "Nones"?"

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

Why have Nones left religion?

Accepted Answer

The reasons can vary widely from None to None. However, the most common reasons are revealed through Pew research and the work of Dr. Elizabeth Drescher at Santa Clara University.    A hybrid list of those two sources includes the following reasons that Nones have left religion. • Religion is not perceived as necessary for morality. • Disbelief in religious doctrines. • The value of science and reason over religious doctrines. • Disagreement over social issues, such as women’s rights or the treatment of LGBTQ persons. • Sex abuse scandals within churches. • Churches are run like businesses. • Personal traumatic experiences with religion. ​ In short, religion is simply less relevant to living for millions upon millions of people.

Question 6

How many Nones are there in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Studies from different organizations report different findings. The percentage of Americans who are Nones range from 23% (GSS, 2018) to 25% (PRRI, 2015) to 26% (Pew, 2019) to 34% (AFS, 2017). Based on today’s estimated American population, these figures suggest that there are between 76 to 112.5 million Nones in our country.

Question 7

​Should Nones be called “Manys?”

Accepted Answer

It could be argued that Nones should be called “Manys” because most Nones derive a sense of spirituality from many sources. Here are a few examples of how this might look.    Nones may be equally inspired by quotes attributed to Buddha, Jesus, or Rumi. Or they replace church by experiencing meaningful community in fitness classes or club volleyball leagues or volunteer groups. Or they enjoy the marvels of Holi, the annual Hindu festival of Spring, as much as having a traditional Christmas celebration with family, complete with nostalgic hymns. For Nones, meaningful living and essential truths are not bound by religion. ​ The practical matter is that one cannot truly be a Buddhist-Christian-Muslim-Hindu. Nones do not devote their lives to the necessary rituals and supernatural belief systems of these religions. Rather, they unearth truth and meaningful living wherever it presents itself.

Question 8

What do Nones really reject?

Accepted Answer

On the surface, it is obvious. Nones reject organized religion as part of their personal lifestyle. This is true whether one considers oneself spiritual or not. However, digging deeper reveals a more essential distinction.    Demographers often nest atheists and agnostics under the category of None because they reject organized religion too. But for the majority of people who independently select ‘None,’ they are rejecting labels of all kinds. Such Nones are neither atheists or agnostics nor affiliated with any particular religion. This is the fundamental rejection by Nones– labels.   None is a meta-label that becomes a non-label. Labels cease to exist when you view humanity as One Human Family and Love as that which binds.

Question 9

Is American None a nonprofit or a business?

Accepted Answer

American None is a social impact company where the business supports the mission, not the other way around. The mission is what drives us, not profits.   The decision was made for American None to be set up as a business rather than a nonprofit for three reasons. One, in order to manifest our mission, we must be financially self-sustaining. Two, we never want to be confused with being a "church" for Nones. Being that churches are nonprofits, this was an obvious distinction that needed to be made.   Third, part of the spiritual philosophy for Nones is that spirituality is something that infuses everything we do and how we live. American None must live out this belief by operating a conscious business and demonstrating that all people can experience spirituality in ordinary, day-to-day practical living. American None seeks to demonstrate this through operating a conscious business built on radical transparency.   Right now, American None is a startup organization like any other small business. However the vision is vast and the future is wide open. Positive social change is the greatest achievement we seek.

Question 10

What organizations or resources currently exist specifically for Nones?

Accepted Answer

American None is the first organization of its kind created to serve the interests of Nones, provide a virtual community, and be a platform for the voice of Nones.

Question 11

Where does American None glean its data?

Accepted Answer

At American None,™ we primarily reference data from the Pew Research Center, the General Social Survey or PRRI. These organizations are known for their scientific methods of research and non-bias approach to reporting.

Question 12

Can you be a "Christian None," "Jewish None," or "Buddhist None?""

Accepted Answer

Or a Taoist None or Hindu None, etc?    The truthful answer to this question is, it depends on who you ask. But from our perspective, the answer is YES.   There are many people—religious or nonreligious—who recognize that their religion or worldview is simply a lens through which to experience reality. Many religious people acknowledge that their religion is simply a means to an end—a way to understand ultimate reality or experience meaningful living.    Anyone who lives their life according to the belief that Love is Greater than Labels, regardless of religious affiliation or not, qualifies as a None to us. We are One Human Family united by Love.

Question 13

​Isn’t “American None” an oxymoron?

Accepted Answer

For an organization whose motto is “Where Love is Greater than Labels,” why would we use the label of “American?” After all, if we affirm the truth that all people comprise One Human Family, isn’t this hypocritical?   In order to be a positive, effective change agent in the world, we ascribe to the principle that change begins from within. So it is fitting that, as an organization, we explore what it means to be a None with the cultural trappings of being American and then set out to make a larger difference in both our country of origin and the world at large.

Question 14

How does American None engage in social advocacy?

Accepted Answer

Many organizations have the goal of advocating for their own interests. At American None, elevating the lives of others is central to our 21st-century spirituality.   We advocate for others through promoting other causes and organizations that serve those most in need or that align in making the world a more loving place. As we grow, it is the vision that the American None community will crowdsource where to make financial contributions to such worthy causes and organizations.   Perhaps most importantly though, we seek to inspire people to be activists of their own– to live their lives in ways that contribute toward the evolution of humanity toward Love. Genuine, lasting change truly does begin from within.

Question 15

How can I be involved?

Accepted Answer

Let your voice be heard and join the national conversation and community by engaging with our online social channels.   Take it further with other ways to connect and make a difference—become a patron of American None, sign one of our advocacy petitions, share your Story of None, contribute to the blog, partner with us as an organization, business or influencer, or donate resources. Learn more on our Get Involved page.

about the organization

We are Nones.

We are One Human Family.

Hidden in plain sight is the 'One' in None.

We choose no labels because we recognize the oneness of all of us.

OUR MISSION

about nones

None –noun someone who selects "none of the above" as their religious affiliation.

Mary realized she was a None because she gets more out of yoga than church and feels spiritual connection in nature. John is a None because religion is irrelevant to his life but he respects the rights of others who are religious.

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