“Nones” — the term of art for those who say they have no particular religious affiliation — is an unsatisfying label.
I’m not the first to notice that it sounds like “nuns” when said aloud, and that, as a result, it can confuse people who aren’t steeped in sociological jargon.
But more crucially, “nones” obscures the diversity of backgrounds and beliefs among the millions of Americans who fall into this very broad category.
Previously, nones had been defined by what they aren’t — adherents to a religious tradition — rather than who they are or what they believe.
“They haven’t really thought about truth, meaning, etc.,” he said.
Persons:
“, I’m, ”, nones, David Campbell, Geoffrey Layman, John Green, Campbell, religionists, Secularists “
Organizations:
Notre Dame