Traditional religions don't fit all

When surveys are conducted about religious beliefs, people like Kory Burkley are lumped into the category "none of the above."

The 28-year-old Denver man grew up Roman Catholic and still attends Mass sometimes, and he discovered concepts of Buddhist mindfulness in the best-selling book, "Wherever You Go, There You Are."

But Burkley does not consider himself Catholic, Buddhist or anything else.

"I would describe myself as spiritual but not religious," Burkley said.

The number of Americans who claim no religious affiliation, labeled "nones" by scholars, has doubled in the past decade to an estimated 29 million.

Religious growth in America is largely concentrated in two areas, experts say: theologically conservative religions — evangelical Christianity, Mormonism and Islam —and the nones.

Renee Hurley fits the latter category. A 50-year-old former guidance counselor, Hurley was raised Catholic but now gains spiritual nourishment through yoga.

"Wherever you find God, wherever you find harmony is where I think I find myself," said Hurley, who built a yoga room in her home. "Different religious beliefs, I think they're all valid. They're basically saying the same thing: That we believe in something, a higher power, whether you find that within yourself or out in the universe somewhere."

The West has been ground zero for the growth in nones. Vermont and Washington reported the highest number of "unchurched" residents, according to the 2001 American Religious Identification Survey. Colorado and Oregon tied for third in the survey.

But "none" does not translate to "no belief." Nationally, the study found only 7 percent of unaffiliated people are atheists or agnostics.

The vast majority of nones believe in God. They tend to hold moderate to liberal political views and are more likely to seek community by volunteering and joining advocacy groups rather than at church, experts say.

In their diverse spiritual expressions — from yoga and walks in the woods to sacred dance and crystal balls — nones are changing the American faith landscape and forcing religious institutions to take notice.

"Increasingly, people are saying they are either nondenominational or 'none,' " said C. Kirk Hadaway, director of research in the congregational development office of the Episcopal Church USA.