Secular but Spiritual: Secular but Spiritual: Understanding Religious Understanding Religious

“Nones”“Nones”

Patricia O’Connell KillenPatricia O’Connell KillenDepartment of Religion Department of Religion Pacific Lutheran UniversityPacific Lutheran University

Mark A. ShibleyMark A. ShibleyDepartment of Sociology and AnthropologyDepartment of Sociology and AnthropologySouthern Oregon UniversitySouthern Oregon University

We will explore four We will explore four themes:themes:

Nationwide, the proportion of Americans who Nationwide, the proportion of Americans who identify with a religious tradition is declining.identify with a religious tradition is declining.

There are regional differences in religious There are regional differences in religious identity, particularly the proportion of Nones.identity, particularly the proportion of Nones.

Most Americans who don’t identify religiously Most Americans who don’t identify religiously nonetheless cultivate spiritual lives.nonetheless cultivate spiritual lives.

This “secular spirituality” is consequential for This “secular spirituality” is consequential for public life, sometimes in surprisingpublic life, sometimes in surprising ways.ways.

Theme 1 -- National Picture: Theme 1 -- National Picture: A Sharp Increase in Religious A Sharp Increase in Religious “Nones”“Nones”

The proportion of Americans who The proportion of Americans who reported no religious preference doubled reported no religious preference doubled from 7 to 14 percent in the 1990s. from 7 to 14 percent in the 1990s.

Both the General Social Survey (GSS) and Both the General Social Survey (GSS) and the American Religious Identification the American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) find this pattern.Survey (ARIS) find this pattern.

(Key reference: Michael Hout and Claude S. Fischer. 2002. “Why More Americans (Key reference: Michael Hout and Claude S. Fischer. 2002. “Why More Americans Have No Religious Preference: Politics and Generations.” Have No Religious Preference: Politics and Generations.” American Sociological American Sociological ReviewReview 67:165-90.) 67:165-90.)

Trend DataTrend DataGeneral Social Survey, 1973-General Social Survey, 1973-20002000 (Hout and Fischer, 2002)(Hout and Fischer, 2002)

Why are “Nones” increasing?Why are “Nones” increasing?

Hout and Fischer test three hypotheses:Hout and Fischer test three hypotheses:

Secularization (progressive loss of Secularization (progressive loss of belief)belief)

Demographic (generational shift away Demographic (generational shift away from religious tradition)from religious tradition)

Political (liberals are leaving church in Political (liberals are leaving church in reaction to Christian Right ascendance)reaction to Christian Right ascendance)

A Fourth Hypothesis: A Fourth Hypothesis: Traditional religious institutions increasingly Traditional religious institutions increasingly fail to help individuals encounter the sacred fail to help individuals encounter the sacred and construct meaningful lives.and construct meaningful lives. Hout and Fischer assume that political sentiment precedes Hout and Fischer assume that political sentiment precedes

religious conviction. religious conviction.

This causal assumption led many scholars and journalists This causal assumption led many scholars and journalists to view the growing popularity of evangelical to view the growing popularity of evangelical Protestantism over the last quarter century as fueled by Protestantism over the last quarter century as fueled by the cultural politics the Christian Right. In fact, the cultural politics the Christian Right. In fact, evangelical Protestantism grew because evangelical evangelical Protestantism grew because evangelical congregations more effectively than other institutions met congregations more effectively than other institutions met the social, psychological and spiritual needs of individuals, the social, psychological and spiritual needs of individuals, not because it was politically conservative. not because it was politically conservative.

(Mark A. Shibley. 1996. (Mark A. Shibley. 1996. Resurgent Evangelicalism in the U.S.: Mapping Resurgent Evangelicalism in the U.S.: Mapping Cultural Change Since 1970Cultural Change Since 1970. Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina . Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina Press.) Press.)

People join religious communities for fundamentally People join religious communities for fundamentally religious reasons (i.e., transcendence, meaning and religious reasons (i.e., transcendence, meaning and belonging), and it follows that they do not join, or they belonging), and it follows that they do not join, or they leave, when those institutions are religiously ineffective. leave, when those institutions are religiously ineffective.

Theme 2—Regional Variation: Theme 2—Regional Variation: Fewer people in the West identify Fewer people in the West identify or belong or belong

IdentityIdentity—Northwesterners are twice as likely as —Northwesterners are twice as likely as people living in the Bible Belt to claim no religious people living in the Bible Belt to claim no religious preference. (ARIS)preference. (ARIS)

BelongingBelonging—The Pacific Northwest is the only —The Pacific Northwest is the only region of the country where a majority of the region of the country where a majority of the population does not affiliate with a religious population does not affiliate with a religious congregation. (NARA)congregation. (NARA)

About one-quarter of all Americans identify but do About one-quarter of all Americans identify but do not affiliate with a religious tradition. More than not affiliate with a religious tradition. More than one-third of all Northwesterners are in this “gap” one-third of all Northwesterners are in this “gap” group. group.

Patricia O’Connell Killen and Mark Silk. 2004. Patricia O’Connell Killen and Mark Silk. 2004. Religion and Public Life Religion and Public Life in the Pacific Northwest: The None Zone. in the Pacific Northwest: The None Zone. Walnut Creek, CA: AltaMira Walnut Creek, CA: AltaMira Press.Press.

Regional Variation in Religious Regional Variation in Religious IdentificationIdentification

Table 1Table 1 Percentage of the Population Claiming No Religious PreferencePercentage of the Population Claiming No Religious Preferencein 2001, Rank Ordered by Regionin 2001, Rank Ordered by Region

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________RankRank RegionRegion % of Population % of Population__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11 Pacific Northwest Pacific Northwest 252522 Pacific SouthwestPacific Southwest 191933 Rocky Mountain WestRocky Mountain West 181844 New EnglandNew England 151555 MidwestMidwest 1414

6 6 Mid-AtlanticMid-Atlantic 131377 Southern CrossroadsSouthern Crossroads 121288 SouthSouth 1111

NationwideNationwide 1414__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Source: Barry A. Kosmin, Egon Mayer and Ariela Keysar, Source: Barry A. Kosmin, Egon Mayer and Ariela Keysar, American Religious American Religious

Identification SurveyIdentification Survey (New York: The Graduate Center of the City University of (New York: The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 2001).New York, 2001).

Regional Variation in Religious Regional Variation in Religious AffiliationAffiliation

Table 2Table 2 Religiously Unaffiliated as a Percentage of the Total Population Religiously Unaffiliated as a Percentage of the Total Population in 2000, in 2000, Rank-ordered by Region Rank-ordered by Region

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________RankRank RegionRegion Unaffiliated as % of PopulationUnaffiliated as % of Population__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11 Pacific Northwest Pacific Northwest 636322 Rocky Mountain WestRocky Mountain West 48 48 33 Pacific SouthwestPacific Southwest 474744 MidwestMidwest 414155 SouthSouth 41 41 66 New EnglandNew England 393977 Mid-AtlanticMid-Atlantic 343488 Southern CrossroadsSouthern Crossroads 3333

NationwideNationwide 4141________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Source: Dale E. Jones et al., Religious Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000: An Source: Dale E. Jones et al., Religious Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000: An

Enumeration by Region, State and County Based on Data Reported by 149 Religious Bodies Enumeration by Region, State and County Based on Data Reported by 149 Religious Bodies (Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center, 2002). North American Religion Atlas, The Polis (Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center, 2002). North American Religion Atlas, The Polis Center, <Center, <http://www.religionatlas.orghttp://www.religionatlas.org> (August 19, 2003).> (August 19, 2003).

Why are there more Why are there more “Nones” in the West than in “Nones” in the West than in other regions?other regions? Most people do not participate in religious Most people do not participate in religious

institutions and never have.institutions and never have.

Successive waves of immigrants and Successive waves of immigrants and economic fortunes shape the religious story.economic fortunes shape the religious story.

There is no dominant religious reference There is no dominant religious reference group as conventionally understood.group as conventionally understood.

Idiosyncratic backwater or bellwether region?Idiosyncratic backwater or bellwether region?

Theme 3—Secular but Spiritual:Theme 3—Secular but Spiritual:Many “Nones” Cultivate Spiritual Many “Nones” Cultivate Spiritual LivesLives

While “Nones” are on the rise, there is no While “Nones” are on the rise, there is no corresponding drop in the percent of the corresponding drop in the percent of the population believing in God or afterlife.population believing in God or afterlife.(Hout and Fischer 2002)(Hout and Fischer 2002)

According to ARIS data, “Nones” are According to ARIS data, “Nones” are spiritually open even if they don’t identify spiritually open even if they don’t identify with a religious tradition.with a religious tradition.

We identified three specific clusters of We identified three specific clusters of secular spirituality in the Pacific Northwest.secular spirituality in the Pacific Northwest.

““Nones” are Spiritually OpenNones” are Spiritually Open

Table 3Table 3 Percentage of Nones Nationwide with Spiritual InclinationsPercentage of Nones Nationwide with Spiritual Inclinations

Secularism ItemSecularism Item PercentPercent________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

““Do you agree or disagree that God exists?”Do you agree or disagree that God exists?”Percent answering Percent answering agree somewhatagree somewhat or or agree stronglyagree strongly

66 66

““Do you agree or disagree that God helps me?”Do you agree or disagree that God helps me?”Percent answering Percent answering agree somewhatagree somewhat or or agree stronglyagree strongly

53 53

““When it comes to your outlook, do you regard yourself as….?”When it comes to your outlook, do you regard yourself as….?”Percent answering Percent answering somewhat religioussomewhat religious or or religiousreligious 36 36

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Source: Barry A. Kosmin, Egon Mayer and Ariela Keysar, Source: Barry A. Kosmin, Egon Mayer and Ariela Keysar, American Religious American Religious Identification SurveyIdentification Survey (New York: The Graduate Center of the City University of (New York: The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 2001). Produced for the Religion by Region Project.New York, 2001). Produced for the Religion by Region Project.

Clusters of “Secular Clusters of “Secular Spirituality” in Spirituality” in the Pacific Northwestthe Pacific Northwest

In the “None Zone,” many people cultivate In the “None Zone,” many people cultivate spiritual lives outside official religious spiritual lives outside official religious institutions. institutions.

- New spirituality - New spirituality

- Apocalyptic, anti-government millennialism- Apocalyptic, anti-government millennialism

- Nature religion - Nature religion

Over time, this unconventional spiritual activity Over time, this unconventional spiritual activity takes on institutional form; it is far more than the takes on institutional form; it is far more than the private explorations of individual seekers. private explorations of individual seekers.

A side note: What do we mean by A side note: What do we mean by the terms “religion” and the terms “religion” and “spirituality”?“spirituality”? ReligionReligion is a cultural system (shared beliefs and is a cultural system (shared beliefs and

practices) that makes human life meaningful by practices) that makes human life meaningful by facilitating transcendent experience (encounters facilitating transcendent experience (encounters with the sacred) and binding individuals to one with the sacred) and binding individuals to one another.another.

Popular distinction between religion and Popular distinction between religion and spirituality is problematic.spirituality is problematic.

OfficialOfficial vs. vs. non-officialnon-official religion. The degree to religion. The degree to which religious beliefs and practices are which religious beliefs and practices are institutionalized and regulated by dominant institutionalized and regulated by dominant groups.groups.

This look at “secular spirituality” is really an This look at “secular spirituality” is really an exploration of non-official (folk) religion. exploration of non-official (folk) religion.

New SpiritualityNew Spirituality(Metaphysics, Paganism, Channeling, Spirituality (Metaphysics, Paganism, Channeling, Spirituality literature)literature)

Exemplary groups, events and leaders:Exemplary groups, events and leaders:

– Eckhart Toll, Eckhart Toll, The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment,The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment, Vancouver, B.C.Vancouver, B.C.

– Aquarian Tabernacle Church in Everett, WAAquarian Tabernacle Church in Everett, WA

– J.Z. Knight channels the 35,000 year old spirit warrior Ramtha, Yelm, J.Z. Knight channels the 35,000 year old spirit warrior Ramtha, Yelm, WAWA

– Annual Northwest Fall Equinox Festival in the woods outside Annual Northwest Fall Equinox Festival in the woods outside Portland, ORPortland, OR

– Living Enrichment Center, Wilsonville, ORLiving Enrichment Center, Wilsonville, OR

– Women in Conscious Creative Action (WICCA) in Eugene, ORWomen in Conscious Creative Action (WICCA) in Eugene, OR

– Neale Donald Walcsh, Neale Donald Walcsh, Conversations with GodConversations with God, Ashland, OR, Ashland, OR

– The Harmonic Convergence, Mt. Shasta, CAThe Harmonic Convergence, Mt. Shasta, CA

New Spirituality, cont.New Spirituality, cont.(Metaphysics, Paganism, Channeling, Spirituality (Metaphysics, Paganism, Channeling, Spirituality literature)literature)

Beliefs and practices regarding the sacred:Beliefs and practices regarding the sacred:

– To nurture religious experience, practice is valued over To nurture religious experience, practice is valued over doctrine.doctrine.

– Underlying the hodge-podge of spiritual practices is a coherent Underlying the hodge-podge of spiritual practices is a coherent worldview: the self is sacred, “Everyone is God. Everyone.” worldview: the self is sacred, “Everyone is God. Everyone.”

– Read from Heelas (1996) and Walsch on New Age and New Read from Heelas (1996) and Walsch on New Age and New Spirituality Spirituality

– This worldview is dualistic and millennial, as are the views of This worldview is dualistic and millennial, as are the views of many religious movement in times of rapid social change.many religious movement in times of rapid social change.

Questions:Questions: To what extent is New Spirituality becoming To what extent is New Spirituality becoming more than an individual quest for self-authentication? As more than an individual quest for self-authentication? As this form of non-official religion becomes more communal, this form of non-official religion becomes more communal, more church-like, what will be the consequence for public more church-like, what will be the consequence for public life? life?

Nature ReligionNature Religion(Secular Environmental Movement, Regional (Secular Environmental Movement, Regional Literature,Literature, Native American Traditions, neo-Paganism) Native American Traditions, neo-Paganism) Exemplary groups, movements, events and leaders:Exemplary groups, movements, events and leaders:

– Artic National Wildlife Refuge, “Oil Field or Sanctuary?”Artic National Wildlife Refuge, “Oil Field or Sanctuary?”

– ““Simple Living: The Newsletter of Voluntary Simplicity,” Seattle, WASimple Living: The Newsletter of Voluntary Simplicity,” Seattle, WA

– Catholic Bishops’ pastoral letter on the Columbia RiverCatholic Bishops’ pastoral letter on the Columbia River

– Ted Strong, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish CommissionTed Strong, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission

– Peter Illyn, Green Cross (born-again tree-hugger)Peter Illyn, Green Cross (born-again tree-hugger)

– Native Forest Council, Eugene, OR (secular but spiritual)Native Forest Council, Eugene, OR (secular but spiritual)

– Regional writers: W.Stafford; B.Lopez; G.Snyder; T.Tempest Williams; Regional writers: W.Stafford; B.Lopez; G.Snyder; T.Tempest Williams; U.LeGuin; S.Tisdale U.LeGuin; S.Tisdale

– David James Duncan (quintessential Northwest nature writer & David James Duncan (quintessential Northwest nature writer & prophet)prophet)

– Cascade-Siskiyou National MonumentCascade-Siskiyou National Monument

Nature Religion, Nature Religion, Cont.Cont.(Secular Environmental Movement, Regional (Secular Environmental Movement, Regional Literature,Literature, Native American Traditions, neo-Paganism) Native American Traditions, neo-Paganism)

Beliefs and practices regarding the sacred:Beliefs and practices regarding the sacred:

– In the secular environmental movement, nature is In the secular environmental movement, nature is sacred. Read “Stop the Chainsaw Massacre,” NFCsacred. Read “Stop the Chainsaw Massacre,” NFC

– Simple Living movement is the ritualization of daily life.Simple Living movement is the ritualization of daily life.

– Underlying worldview tends toward dualism and Underlying worldview tends toward dualism and millennialism and is reflected (and created) in regional millennialism and is reflected (and created) in regional literature. Read Duncan.literature. Read Duncan.

Questions: To what extent is nature religion Questions: To what extent is nature religion becoming institutionalized (official as well as becoming institutionalized (official as well as non-official religion)? How does this folk religion non-official religion)? How does this folk religion shape public debate over natural resource shape public debate over natural resource management?management?

Theme 4--Spiritual Politics: How Theme 4--Spiritual Politics: How secular spirituality matters in secular spirituality matters in public lifepublic life

““Nones” are less likely than PCJ to Nones” are less likely than PCJ to vote, but if they vote, they are more vote, but if they vote, they are more likely to be liberal.likely to be liberal.

Two examples of secular spirituality Two examples of secular spirituality in politics and public life:in politics and public life:– New spirituality and progressive politicsNew spirituality and progressive politics– Nature religion and conflict over natural Nature religion and conflict over natural

resource management resource management

““Nones” for Nader: Nones” for Nader: Religion in the 2000 Religion in the 2000 Presidential ElectionPresidential ElectionTable 4: Voting Behavior in the 2000 Presidential Election, by Religious Table 4: Voting Behavior in the 2000 Presidential Election, by Religious

GroupGroup______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ProtestantProtestant CatholicCatholic JewishJewish NoneNone________________________________________________________________________________________________________

VotedVoted 70%70% 69%69% 82%82% 58%58%Didn’t Vote Didn’t Vote 2525 2727 5 5 3838IneligibleIneligible 2 2 4 4 1313 5 5

BushBush 57%57% 54%54% 22%22% 30%30%GoreGore 4141 4444 7272 5757NaderNader 1 1 1 1 6 6 1212OtherOther 1 1 1 1 0 0 2 2

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________General Social Survey, 2002. National Opinion Research Center. General Social Survey, 2002. National Opinion Research Center.

University of Chicago.University of Chicago.

New Spirituality andNew Spirituality andProgressive National PoliticsProgressive National Politics

Anti-establishment religion correlates Anti-establishment religion correlates positively with anti-establishment politics.positively with anti-establishment politics.

The case of Neale Donald Walsch—turning The case of Neale Donald Walsch—turning personal transformation into political personal transformation into political renewal.renewal.

– ““Re-igniting the Spirit of America Summit on Values, Re-igniting the Spirit of America Summit on Values, Spirituality and Politics” (2000)Spirituality and Politics” (2000)

– The New RevelationsThe New Revelations (2002) (2002)– Humanity’s Team (2003)Humanity’s Team (2003)– Tomorrow’s GodTomorrow’s God (2004) (2004)

Secular Left is much smaller and less well Secular Left is much smaller and less well organized than the Christian Right.organized than the Christian Right.

Nature religion and Nature religion and Environmental Politics in God’s Environmental Politics in God’s

CountryCountry

Conflict over how to manage the natural Conflict over how to manage the natural environment is a struggle over core values and environment is a struggle over core values and what is sacred to people in the region.what is sacred to people in the region.

– The prophetic voice (Duncan)The prophetic voice (Duncan)– The sacred in the secular (NFC)The sacred in the secular (NFC)– No Compromise in Defense of Mother Earth No Compromise in Defense of Mother Earth – ““The Sacred Tree” (Chant Thomas)The Sacred Tree” (Chant Thomas)– Nature religion as civil religion in the State of JeffersonNature religion as civil religion in the State of Jefferson

Nature religion plays a role in legislative politics Nature religion plays a role in legislative politics and, through the courts, government and, through the courts, government administration of natural resources.administration of natural resources.

Concluding thoughts on Concluding thoughts on religious “Nones” and religious “Nones” and public lifepublic life Broadening the focus…Broadening the focus…

– ““Extravasation of the sacred.”Extravasation of the sacred.”

– What is sacred in the lives of ordinary people? What is sacred in the lives of ordinary people?

The secular but spiritual The secular but spiritual – tends toward a dualistic and millennial tends toward a dualistic and millennial

worldview. worldview. – has organizational structures that are flat, has organizational structures that are flat,

networked, and more provisional.networked, and more provisional.

Why it matters…Why it matters…– The moral and spiritual convictions of “Nones” The moral and spiritual convictions of “Nones”

are expressed in public life, and they help are expressed in public life, and they help shape policy.shape policy.