Devout Christians boast great family lives. Lukewarm ones fare worse than the non-religious
October 11, 2026
For the last several decades, much sociological focus has been devoted to the religious “Nones,” or those who do not affiliate with a religion. This includes atheists, agnostics, or those who claim “nothing in particular,” a collective group that has been rising steadily in America since the early 1990s. There has been great attention to this topic, both in the academic literature and in the popular press, for good reason. Even aside from a loss of faith, non-religious people tend to have lower social support and worse psychological well-being.
Accordingly, there is often an assumption that a “nominal” affiliation, belonging to a faith in name but not in practice, is better than nothing. Indeed, research shows that nominal affiliates often maintain personal theological convictions, pass a Christian identity down to their kids, and are more likely to volunteer than lifelong secular individuals. There is also a sense that nominal affiliates may one day become active members, whether for the first time or as a return to their faith.
