This report examines an experimental survey that enlightens our understanding of religiously unaffiliated Americans (“nones”) and their perceptions of religion’s societal role. Commissioned by Sutherland Institute and conducted by Heart+Mind Strategies from June 27 to July 15, 2025, this study employs an experimental design rather than traditional observational approaches.

The study surveyed 1,106 U.S. adults, including 395 spiritual nones. Unlike the Pew Religious Landscape Study’s descriptive approach with 36,908 respondents, this survey uses a pre-post experimental intervention, which helps us understand what changes religious attitudes.

The findings are remarkable: While 77% of nones initially viewed religion as “part of the problem,” exposure to factual information about religion’s civic contributions produced a 23-percentage point shift, with only 54% maintaining negative views postintervention. This demonstrates that evidence-based communication can meaningfully influence perceptions, even among skeptics.

The timing is critical. Religious nones now comprise 28% of U.S. adults – larger than Catholics or evangelical Protestants – with projections suggesting growth to 34-52% by 2070. The survey reveals profound heterogeneity within this group: Atheists show a 22-point shift (from 14% to 36%) and agnostics a 20-point shift (from 15% to 35%) after exposure to factual information about religion, while those identifying as “nothing in particular” show a 25-point shift (from 31% to 56%). Even among skeptics, majorities acknowledge religion’s contributions to emergency shelter (63%), disaster relief (61%), and healthcare (57%).

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