A friend alerted me to an article in The Wheel, a journal of Orthodox Christian thought., "Nones and Dones: America's Changing Face(s) and Why People Don't go to Church." The article is a summary of Micheal Plekton's new book Community as Church, Church as Community, and is well worth a read.*
Plekton, an orthodox priest and sociologist of religion, draws attention to a phenomenon now frequently commented on: the decline of religion in America. In brief, only 38 percent of Americans attend church, synagogue , temple or mosque weekly or more; down from over 60 percent not too long ago. The "nones" (those with no religious affiliation) compose 23.1 percent of the population—just about the same percentage of those who are Catholic (though of that 23 percent who say they are Catholic around a third have no connection to a parish). At the same time as religious affiliation is declining, some 80 percent of the population "believe in God" or in some "higher power" — "spiritual but not religious."
Reasons for the decline in formal religion are many and complex. Robert Putnam 21 years ago in Bowling Alone, an extensive sociological assessment of American cultural trends, demonstrated that all forms of communal activity had declined. Rather than joining a bowling club, people now bowled alone—hence the title of his book. All forms of communal "joining" have declined. It's no surprise that "religious joining" fits the general trend. Other social factors likely affect religion's decline; from the sexual abuse scandals among clergy (just this week the Department of Justice announced an investigation of the Southern Baptist Convention), to disaffection with dogma and outdated ways of thinking about the world, to intolerance and bigotry, to the crowding out of religious practice by the omnipresence of social media—and likely more beside.
What seems to remain somewhat constant is the need for what religion traditionally provided—a sense of meaning, something bigger than one's self, connectedness, an inner something that you can't put your finger on. The data suggest that for an increasing number of people church services, formal belonging, and adherence to a strict set of beliefs no longer works. These folk have become the "nones," with no religious affiliation and the "dones," those who were once affiliated but are now done with religion.
To be honest, should the pollster ask me the religious affiliation questions I'm not sure what I would answer. The questions seem too simplistic. I don't fit neatly into any of the researcher's boxes.
Researcher: "Do you go to church?" Me: "Hmm, not exactly."
Researcher: "Which denomination do you belong to?" Me: "In the twenty-first century I'm not sure I understand the question ..."
Researcher: "Do you believe in God?" Me: "Well, it all depends on what you mean by a) believe, and b) God. My understanding and experience are a bit more complex than your question."
Researcher: "Thank you sir, you've been most helpful!" Muttering "Not!" Under her breath as you walks away.
I suppose I am both a "none" and a "done." I have no traditional affiliation and I am largely done with formal religion. But that is not even close to expressing my spirituality. Truth is, I am deeply spiritual: I have daily spiritual practices of prayer, meditation and somatic practice, my spirituality informs my life and relationships with people, animals and nature, I try to live an ethical life of care and service, Jane and I share bread and wine together each Sunday, a pause for thankfulness (a Eucharist) and a few times each year I spend time in retreat with others sharing our stumbling steps in making sense of life . But I've not been to a church service in a religious building for I can't recall how long, I've no time for dogma or for the intolerance and bigotry of religion, and I have no desire to evangelize others to make them believe as I believe.
In the mid-90s, when Jane and I began our stateside adventure, we did not know that the little community we formed would become a refuge for the "nones and the gones." Over the years, some have stayed with us quite a while, others for a shorter season. Whatever, we're glad to have shared their uncertainties and ambiguities, and maybe helped a little along the way.
Peace and Goodness to all,
+Ab. Andy