9th place (tie) — 2024 high school essay contest: Brandon Norman

FFRF awarded Brandon $400.

By Brandon Norman

If you watch or read the news or follow social media regarding politics, eventually you will see something mentioned about falling religious affiliations. Gallup has noted that the number of religiously unaffiliated has grown to 22 percent since the 1970s, while PRRI puts the number at 26 percent.

Recent surveys by the Pew Research Center show how partisan religion and its influence on society and politics has become, with stark differences between secular and religious as well as liberal and conservative. Each side points the finger at the other for the nation’s ills.

At the same time, the “Nones” are still concerned with morality and engaged on specific issues. In addition, atheist and agnostic Nones are actually engaged at similar levels to religious people when it comes to civic involvement, voting and other measures. You must be careful when looking at the data, but what does all this mean for the United States in the future?

Gen Z and other young adults represent a huge voting bloc, but are just starting to make their mark across America, economically and socially. Young Nones can transform the United States by engaging on local, state and national levels. A secular view does not mean an anti-religion one. Rather, it emphasizes the separation of church and state enshrined in the founding documents of the United States. To ensure that a single religion does not become a “state” religion, young Nones must change the narrative in the media to one in which moral, social and economic issues are discussed and debated without being framed with religious undertones. 

Voting is key, for sure. While a protest vote or not voting at all may feel good in the short term, it might result in an outcome that further restricts freedom while promoting partisan policies. Finally, young Nones can establish platforms to grow a sense of community among non-religious Americans. Religious citizens share views across a wide range of topics, but it is much harder to pin down what connects the nonreligious. Finding connections is crucial if young Nones are to protect secularism in the United States or to transform the nation. Anything from social media to meetups is fair game.

For me, being a None does not mean I am not spiritual or cannot find common ground with those who follow religion. Rather, being nonreligious allows me to take a more measured, thoughtful and inclusive approach to key issues, whether that is homelessness or immigration, the economy or abortion. I can “walk in another’s shoes” more easily since I do not feel bound by religious doctrine. And, I do not feel the need to judge people, instead welcoming different points of view, life stories and cultural influences. A willingness to learn and adapt is critical for the future, whether we are fighting for equal rights for minority groups or pushing for action on climate. Being a None means I can see the big picture, translate it to my local community, and then make things happen. 

Brandon, 18, is from Cumming, Ga., and attends Mercer University, with plans to major in international business. “I hope to leverage a world-class education to build a successful career in a technology business catering to global markets,” Brandon writes. “In addition, I plan to lead by example in my community through service and volunteerism.”