Losing Our Religion: How Unaffiliated Parents Are Raising Their Children

Recent nationwide surveys show that one-fifth of Americans now list their religious affiliation as 'None' or their religious preference as %E2%80%98nothing in particular'," writes Christel Manning (God Gave Us the Right) in this study of today's "Nones" and "how they deal with the question of religion in the upbringing of their children". Manning says the fact that someone checks "none" in response to a survey question that asks about his or her religious affiliation doesn't mean that he or she isn't religious or "unchurched," as is often assumed. To highlight this misconception, Manning explores the incredible diversity to be found among the Nones, who include everyone from esoteric spiritual seekers to devout Christians who simply don't identify with a particular denomination. Based on qualitative interviews of parents across the United States, Manning provides a thorough primer on the existent scholarship and research about today's None, in addition to offering tiny snippets of introductions to a large number of parents she interviewed. The lay reader will wish Manning spent more time on individual parents' unique stories and approaches to childrearing, but her fellow scholars in sociology of religion will appreciate her careful research and extensive endnotes and bibliography. (Nov.)