Spiritual Lives of the Non-Religious

How do people who do not participate in or identify with an organized religious tradition continue to lead meaningful, even spiritual, lives? This is the animating question of this course. To answer it, we explore three primary aspects of non-religious lives: beliefs, belonging, and behaviors. We draw on sociological studies, modern psychology, and constructive theological accounts to understand the growing American phenomena of religious un/disaffiliation, which may account for up to half of all Americans by 2070. This course provides an overview of those who describe themselves as atheist, agnostic, humanist, spiritual-but-not-religious (SBNR), or list their religion as "none." We include those who profess belief in a divine being, spirits, or the supernatural and engage in spiritual practices such as prayer and ritual, as well as those who do not, and explore phenomena such as remixing religion and consumer spirituality. Students also explore their own spiritual lives; religious/non-religious histories, identities, and commitments; their inherited wisdom traditions; where they derive a sense of purpose, meaning, and value; and how they engage (or not) in meaningful ritual and community.