6th place — 2024 high school essay contest: Ivy Nichols

FFRF awarded Ivy $1,000.

By Ivy Nichols

A glance into the values of religious “Nones” reveals the potential of this growing demographic to build a more inclusive, adaptable society. Whether the beliefs of Nones are described as being in support of “increased secularism, abortion rights, and LGBT rights” (Kiesel), being “strongly progressive,” or simply being against the sexist and racist rhetoric that is increasingly associated with the “religious right” (Grossman), it is clear that this worldview has one characteristic: the acceptance of people and ideas that are rejected by the status quo.

Research into the values and beliefs of religiously affiliated people supports the idea that this is unique to Nones. A 2023 survey by Pew Research Center asked respondents what factors played into their determination of what is right or wrong. Seventy percent of religiously affiliated respondents said that the way they were raised helped dictate their moral decisions, as opposed to only 56 percent of Nones.

This reveals that religion encourages people to accept what they are told without much questioning — a big deterrent to social and political change. Without this stationary view, Nones are more willing to adopt new ways of life.

How Nones go about adopting change will also be more fact-based. When the Pew Research Center asked about attitudes toward science, 56 percent of Nones said science does more good than harm (and that went up to 79 percent among atheists), compared to 40 percent of religious respondents.

In the age of climate change and technology, American society will be greatly served by a population that listens to the findings of science rather than reject them as dangerous if they do not fit with the teachings of their religion.

The benefits Nones provide to society will be evident in the cultural sphere. As an atheist myself, I know that a lack of a religion positively impacts my life by making me more tolerant of others. I do not have a religion teaching me that my worldview is the only correct way of life, or that anyone who does not follow my religion is an outsider.

In other words, I have one less attribute creating divisions between myself and others, which means one less barrier to having understanding and empathy for others. Paired with the secular values of upholding rights and acceptance for all, a widespread adoption of this view will lead to a less xenophobic, less conservative approach to decision-making. When religion is absent, there is one less barrier to building a more accepting society.

Ivy, 18, is from Greeley, Colo., and attends Colorado State University and plans to major in Middle Eastern and North African studies.

“I think it was this interest in Middle Eastern and North African studies that first motivated me to become more involved in volunteerism and activism,” Ivy writes. “I hope to go to Morocco for one semester and Jordan for a second. I will learn Arabic, gain exposure to the cultures I’ll work with in the future, and take internships and volunteer opportunities in these countries.”