No, not a misuse of the word. “Nones” are the people who self-identify as religiously unaffiliated. And, yes, it is a rather quaint collision of these two homophones. But this group is gaining ground politically. Washington state once identified as the least religious state in the US. We have lots of nones.

However, instead of denying belief in a deity, as do atheists, 68 percent of nones believe in God – they do not, however, participate in a formalized faith community.

One-fifth of the US public identifies as religiously unaffiliated and the number rises to 30 percent for persons age 30 and younger.

As politicians look at voting demographics, the nones deserve attention. And the caution is obvious: if you want to win this group’s vote, and not alienate the non-nones, what direction should be taken?

“Values politics” claims Chris Hale, a senior fellow at Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good.

 The 2016 elections will be interesting:  Values politics? Thank God.

 

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