Meet the Author
David Niose is president of the American Humanist Association, an organization committed to “advocating progressive values and equality for humanists, atheists, and freethinkers.” Additionally, he serves as vice president of the Secular Coalition for America, a lobbying group representing the interests of secular American’s in the nation’s capital. Niose is an attorney with significant experience representing Secular Americans, and the author of a popular Psychology Today blog: “Our Humanity, Naturally.”
Book Basics
Nonbeliever Nation is an historical account of secularism in America with an emphasis on the last several decades. As a result of considerable growth, Secular Americans now account for at least 15% of the population. Secular Americans have shifted from a default position of keeping their views to themselves to one of sharing their views more openly especially through the use of new technology. With the recent shifts in religious affiliation and increased openness within the larger culture to choosing no affiliation (“nones” account for 15% in recent polling and “don’t know” for another 5%), Niose confidently proposes a bright future for Secular Americans. This future includes an improved national intellectual atmosphere, restored emphasis on education, and a decrease in tribalism.
Notable Chapter
One of Niose’s longer chapters focuses on the creation and expansion of the Religious Right, including many of the movement’s shortcomings: uniformed engagement, over-involvement with corporate interests, denial of scientifically valid and widely accepted truths, denial or intentional abuse of the separation of church and state, and creation of a “curious Christian ethics.” (p.97-123). Regarding the Religious Right’s so-called Christian ethics, Niose writes:
Indeed, from the standpoint of many Secular Americans, the problem with the Religious Right is not that it is too Christian, but that it is insufficiently so. If all of those who called themselves Christian lived even remotely in accord with the teachings of the Nazarene, the culture wars as we know them would not exist (p.103).
So What?
Secular Americans are a group of increasing size and importance. Understanding why they have emerged and how they may shape the future is essential for leaders of all groups who desire to help this pluralistic nation achieve greatness again.
- Has your only religious journey included significant interaction with people who are non-religious? If so, how has this enriched your understanding? If not, how might you go about seeking such opportunities for enrichment?
- What resources have been most helpful in enhancing your knowledge about and understanding of Secular Americans?
David Niose. Nonbeliever Nation: The Rise of Secular Americans (Palgrave Macmillan, 2012). ISBN: 9780230338951.