Religious 'Nones' Defy Simple Political And Racial Categorization As Numbers Grow

(RNS) In recent surveys, the religious “nones” — as in, “none of the above” — appear to lead in the faith marketplace. In fact, “none” could soon be the dominant label U.S. adults pick when asked to describe their religious identity.

But they may not be who you think they are. Today, “nones” include many more unbranded believers than atheists, and an increasingly diverse racial and ethnic mix.

And, researchers say, this is already making nones’ attitudes and opinions less predictably liberal on social issues. A February survey by the Public Religion Research Institute of Americans found:

* 21 percent are “unaffiliated” (a diverse group including atheists, seculars and people who still say they believe in God).

* 20 percent are Catholic.

* 19 percent are white evangelical.

“Nones are dancing on the razor’s edge of leading,” said Robert P. Jones, CEO of PRRI.

Read complete survey at -- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/14/religious-nones_n_4956733.html?&ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000055

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