The Four Types
Spiritual but not religious
Who are the Spiritual But Not Religious?
Spiritual but not religious (SBNRs) are the largest group of Nones - 36%. They are characterized by high scores on spiritual importance but low scores on traditional measures of religiosity. Almost none of them attend church services and very few pray on a regular basis. However, SBNRs are the least likely group to want 'religion to be eradicated.'
Quick Stats
36% of all nones are SBNRs
93% Attend religious services seldom/never
87% Pray seldom or never
5% Believe in God without a doubt
76% Trust Religion “Not at All”
SBNR Notes
A person who is spiritual but not religious (SBNR) typically believes in some form of Higher Power but rejects all traditional religious identities. These individuals are often drawn to alternative faith practices like crystals, meditation, and yoga. Despite distancing themselves from organized religion, SBNRs don’t view it as a negative force in American society. In fact, only 13% say that “religion needs to be eradicated”—the lowest percentage among any of the four types.
From the Research
How SBNRs self-identify
How SBNRs rate religious and spiritual importance in their lives.
“For example, SBNRs are far more likely than religious adults to say they believe that spirits or spiritual energies can be contained in animals other than humans (78% vs. 54%) or in parts of nature like mountains, rivers or trees (71% vs. 45%).”
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