A BQ regular attendee sent me a suggestion for a topic. It concerned "nones", defined as people who did not identify as endorsing any particular religion. As noted below, they may be atheistic, agnostic, or would just not like to be listed as participating in any religious group. The regular attendee sent a link to an article they were reading, which I do not have permission to share. So, I decided to have Gemini prepare an independent analysis of our social trends, as noted in the paragraph below. Helpfully, Gemini also provides links to data sources and other reference material, which are included.
<My request to Gemini> Are American people becoming less sacred and more secular with their beliefs? Can you document trends in participation in various official religions over the past 60 years or so? Has participation in organized religions like Christianity, Judaism, and Buddhism, for example, risen or fallen in terms of percentages of the population participating? How does the social demographic of our society play into these trends? Are certain age groups more or less likely to participate? Is there a group that prefers not to be associated with organized religion, but who are also interested in joining with others like themselves to experience community, share their interests in spirituality, and welcome a diverse array of points of view that are not historically main-stream? Can you provide statistics that document these trends?
<Gemini's response> American society has undergone a profound shift in its religious landscape over the last sixty years. While the data shows a clear decline in institutional participation—meaning fewer people are attending traditional church services or holding formal membership—it does not necessarily mean Americans are becoming entirely "secular" in their personal beliefs.
Instead, many are moving away from organized religion toward a more individualized, "spiritual" way of life.
Religious Participation Trends: 1960s vs. 2026
In the early 1960s, American life was characterized by high levels of religious consensus and institutional loyalty. Since then, the percentage of the population identifying with a specific religion has dropped significantly.
| Category | ~1963 Statistics | ~2025/2026 Statistics |
| Christianity (Overall) | 90% | ~63-68% |
| Religious "Nones" | ~2% | ~29% |
| Regular Attendance | 49% (Weekly) | ~30-32% (Weekly) |
| Official Membership | 73% | ~45% |
Trends in Specific Faiths
The "Big Three" you mentioned have experienced very different trajectories:
Christianity: This group has seen the most dramatic decline. In 1963, roughly 90% of American adults identified as Christian. By 2025, that number had fallen to roughly 62-68%. Protestantism, once the overwhelming majority,
fell below 50% Judaism: Identification with Judaism has remained relatively stable at about 2% of the population over the decades. However, the nature of participation has changed; a growing number of
Jewish Americans Buddhism and Other Faiths: Religions like Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism were statistically negligible in the early 1960s (often less than 0.5%). Following the
Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965
Demographics: The Age Gap
Age is the single greatest predictor of religious participation today. There is a "generational ladder" of secularization:
Silent Generation (born 1928–1945): Over 80% identify as Christian.
Millennials & Gen Z: Only about 45-50% identify as Christian, while nearly 43% of Gen Z identify as "Nones"—those who are atheist, agnostic, or "nothing in particular."
The Rise of "Spiritual but Not Religious" (SBNR)
There is a significant and growing group—roughly 33% of Americans—who describe themselves as
Groups that cater specifically to this "non-mainstream" seeker demographic include:
Sunday Assembly The Nearness Unitarian Universalism (UU): While technically a religion,
UU congregations Ethical Societies: Part of the
Ethical Culture
In short, while Americans are participating less in official structures, they are increasingly seeking out "DIY" spiritual communities—like the discussions seen at the Big Questions Cafe—where they can find meaning and belonging without institutional oversight.