The numbers of persons in America who say they have no religious affiliation has risen dramatically over the past 20 years. Currently over 20 percent of the country, and 35 percent of younger generations, are designated as the “nones.” Religious communities and leaders need to understand this dynamic and the people who hold this “fastest growing” religious identity to be effective in ministry into the future. This course will explore the phenomenon, discuss the social, psychological and spiritual research on the nonaffiliated and how they are similar and different from Atheists, Agnostics and the “spiritual but not religious.” The course will include field trips and research efforts as well as readings and guest speakers to better understand this important development on the religious landscape.

Course fulfills the following curricular requirements:
MAIRS- Ministerial Studies: Beliefs and Practices