What’s the fastest growing category of religious affiliation in the U.S.? If you answered, “None,” you’re right. No, that doesn’t mean that there’s no fastest growing group at all. It’s a catch-all term for the increasing number of Americans who, when asked to self-identify with a religious label (including Jewish, Christian, Muslim and many more) instead check the box marked “None.”
To be clear, “Atheist” and “Agnostic” are often on the list of options. So these Nones are not simply rejecting religion – they are doing something much more profound, and potentially positive.
To be a None is not the same as being a nothing. I believe that many who check the “None” box do so to stand up for the idea that no demographer’s label can adequately define or describe the contents of their hearts, minds or spirits.
The fact that the typical religious categories are insufficient doesn’t mean that the wisdom found within those religions is meaningless.
I identify with that position in so many ways – although I’m a proud and passionate follower of a particular tradition – and I would hope that followers of all traditions could at least appreciate the wisdom of the Nones, even when they don’t share all of their conclusions.
In a world where more and more people fight and die over absolute definitions about faith, nationality and ethnicity, it seems to me we have much to learn from the Nones. And just as those of us who belong to particular religions have much to learn, some Nones are interested in learning from the faithful – even to the extent of attending divinity school!
What’s a None doing at div school? And to be clear, it’s far more than one individual, as I can personally attest. Isn’t that kind of like a vegan going to McDonald’s Hamburger University? (A real thing, in case you were wondering.) The short answer is: No.
There are many Nones, despite the terminology, who don’t define themselves based on what they are not. They define themselves based on the insufficiency of the current categories. That’s what I mean when I say they are not nothings.
The fact that the typical religious categories are insufficient, however, doesn’t mean that the wisdom and practice found within those categories is unimportant or meaningless. So why shouldn’t there be some Nones enrolled in divinity school?
No doubt, for many people religion is a recipe to be followed precisely. And I actually believe there are profound benefits that can emerge from that approach. But I also appreciate that profound gifts can come we think of religion less as a recipe, and more as a method – or perhaps even as a list of ingredients. Nones who are formally learning about faith traditions by becoming students of religion represent a serious effort to maximize that approach. I think we’ll all be the better for their effort, wherever any of us falls on the belief continuum.
Listed for many years in Newsweek as one of America’s “50 Most Influential Rabbis” and recognized as one of our nation’s leading “Preachers and Teachers,” by Beliefnet.com, Rabbi Brad Hirschfield serves as the President of Clal–The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, a training institute, think tank, and resource center nurturing religious and intellectual pluralism within the Jewish community, and the wider world, preparing people to meet the biggest challenges we face in our increasingly polarized world.
An ordained Orthodox rabbi who studied for his PhD and taught at The Jewish Theological Seminary, he has also taught the University of Pennsylvania, where he directs an ongoing seminar, and American Jewish University. Rabbi Brad regularly teaches and consults for the US Army and United States Department of Defense, religious organizations — Jewish and Christian — including United Seminary (Methodist), Yeshivat Chovevei Torah (Modern Orthodox) Luther Seminary (Lutheran), and The Jewish Theological Seminary (Conservative) — civic organizations including No Labels, Odyssey Impact, and The Aspen Institute, numerous Jewish Federations, and a variety of communal and family foundations.
Hirschfield is the author and editor of numerous books, including You Don’t Have To Be Wrong For Me To Be Right: Finding Faith Without Fanaticism, writes a column for Religion News Service, and appears regularly on TV and radio in outlets ranging from The Washington Post to Fox News Channel. He is also the founder of the Stand and See Fellowship, which brings hundreds of Christian religious leaders to Israel, preparing them to address the increasing polarization around Middle East issues — and really all currently polarizing issues at home and abroad — with six words, “It’s more complicated than we know.”