In recent years, the landscape of religious identity in America has undergone a profound transformation. Nearly one in three Americans now categorize themselves as religious “nones,” a broad group encompassing atheists, agnostics, and those who claim no particular religious affiliation. New research conducted by Philip Schwadel, a prominent sociologist at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, reveals that this demographically expanding segment is far more ideologically complex than popular narratives have suggested. His findings challenge the simplistic notion that religious nones form a homogeneous bloc aligned along predictable political and social lines.
Drawing from the rich data of the General Social Survey (GSS), a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults, Schwadel’s study investigates 16 different socio-political attitudes. These range from support for capital punishment to opinions about welfare spending, school prayer, environmental protection, and attitudes towards abortion. What emerges from the data is a clear division within the nones based on their belief or disbelief in God. Religious nones who affirm belief in a higher power, specifically God, display markedly different policy preferences compared to nones who identify as atheists or agnostics.
The core of Schwadel’s findings indicates that this subset of God-believing nones tends to cluster closer ideologically to religiously affiliated Americans than to their non-believing counterparts. For instance, they are significantly more likely to support school prayer and the death penalty, oppose abortion rights, and favor legislation that restricts pornography. Conversely, they are less inclined to endorse increased public spending on welfare, scientific research, education, or environmental conservation initiatives. Such ideological leanings underscore the political and cultural heterogeneity housed within the broader category of religious nones.
This fresh perspective greatly complicates the conventional understanding of religious disaffiliation. Historically, the nones have been portrayed as a liberal and secular cohort, largely atheist or agnostic, unified by a common skepticism of institutional religion and aligned with progressive social values. Yet, Schwadel’s work demonstrates that a substantial fraction within the nones maintain theistic beliefs and socially conservative positions, a reality that has significant ramifications for political strategy and cultural discourse.
It is particularly notable that the proportion of religious nones who believe in God or a higher power is large and growing. Schwadel reports that among the religiously unaffiliated, approximately 35% profess a belief in God, while another 28% confess belief in a higher power without a precise definition. Together, these figures compose a sizeable contingent within the nones, counterbalancing the 21% agnostic and 16% atheistic constituents. This demographic complexity suggests that the boundaries between religious affiliation and non-affiliation are more fluid and nuanced than previously assumed.
The implications of these findings extend beyond academic curiosity and into the realm of political communications. Schwadel postulates that members of the Republican Party could strategically broaden their appeal by engaging God-believing nones, a segment whose policy preferences often align with conservative platforms. However, this would require a shift in the party’s messaging approach, specifically a reduction in explicitly Christian rhetoric that might alienate religious nones who reject institutional religion but still hold spiritual beliefs. Such a recalibration could potentially reshape electoral dynamics and voter mobilization efforts.
Moreover, Schwadel’s research invites a reconsideration of how religious identity is conceptualized in sociological and political studies. By drawing a clear distinction between believing and non-believing religious nones, the study provides empirical evidence supporting more granular categorizations within this demographic. The results underline the necessity for nuanced analytical frameworks that capture the diversity of thought, belief, and political orientation among those who fall outside traditional religious institutions.
From a methodological standpoint, Schwadel’s use of the General Social Survey allows for robust, representative insights into the American populace’s shifting religious beliefs and political attitudes. The GSS’s comprehensive design captures longitudinal trends and variations, making it ideal for distinguishing subtle differences within populations traditionally lumped together. His multifaceted approach examines how religion, belief, and political ideology intersect and diverge, revealing the layered complexities within the religiously unaffiliated.
The research also touches on broader cultural trends, suggesting that the rising number of religious nones is not merely a matter of disaffiliation but signifies a redefinition of spirituality and belief. Many individuals appear to reject conventional religious labels while retaining belief in some form of transcendence or higher power. This evolving spiritual landscape invites further exploration into how modern spirituality manifests outside institutional religion and how it intersects with political and social attitudes.
Schwadel’s findings also challenge media and scholarly assumptions, advocating for a more differentiated public discourse on religion and politics. The prevailing narrative often homogenizes religious nones as a secular, liberal monolith, a characterization contradicted by empirical evidence. By spotlighting the substantial internal diversity within this group, the study encourages a reexamination of popular and academic frameworks that shape our understanding of American religiosity and political behavior.
Interestingly, Schwadel expresses some surprise at the degree of conservatism among God-believing nones, noting that in many instances, their views parallel those of religiously affiliated conservatives. This unexpected convergence illustrates that belief in God—irrespective of formal religious affiliation—remains a potent predictor of conservative policy attitudes. Such insights illuminate the intricate relationship between spirituality and political orientation, an area ripe for continued research.
Looking ahead, Schwadel plans to investigate how politicians’ use of religious language may influence voters within this diverse nones demographic. This line of inquiry could unveil how subtle shifts in rhetoric and messaging resonate with individuals who identify as religious nones yet hold varied and complex worldviews. Understanding these interactions could prove essential for political campaigns seeking to engage a rapidly growing, yet heterogeneous, segment of the electorate.
In summary, the evolving religious landscape in the United States, characterized by the burgeoning number of religious nones, demands a more sophisticated analysis of belief, identity, and political affiliation. Philip Schwadel’s rigorous research underscores the imperative to recognize and address the deep ideological heterogeneity within this populous. These insights not only enrich our understanding of American religiosity but also carry profound implications for political strategy, cultural dialogue, and the sociology of religion at large.
Subject of Research: People
Article Title: The Social and Political Perspectives of Believing and Non-Believing Religious Nones
News Publication Date: 9-Jan-2026
Web References:
- Study in Sociology of Religion: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/socrel/sraf037
- Pew Research Center data: https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/12/08/religion-holds-steady-in-america/
- Related research overview: https://news.unl.edu/article/more-purple-than-blue-religiously-unaffiliated-vary-in-political-beliefs
References: Schwadel, P. (2026). The Social and Political Perspectives of Believing and Non-Believing Religious Nones. Sociology of Religion. DOI: 10.1093/socrel/sraf037
Image Credits: Craig Chandler, University Communication and Marketing
Keywords: Religious Nones, Religious Unaffiliation, Sociology of Religion, Political Ideology, God Belief, Atheism, Agnosticism, General Social Survey, American Politics, Partisan Messaging, Religious Demographics, Cultural Diversity
