On October 9, 2012, Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly hosted a panel discussion at the National Press Club to explore the impact of the rise of the religiously unaffiliated\u2014often called \u201cthe nones\u201d\u2014on politics. The discussion was based in part on a new joint survey by Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly and the Pew Research Center\u2019s Forum on Religion & Public Life which looked at the characteristics, beliefs and practices of the 46 million Americans who now describe themselves as not affiliated with any particular religion.<\/p>\n
The panel featured Bob Abernethy, host and executive editor of Religion & Ethic NewsWeekly, Kim Lawton, managing editor of Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly, Greg Smith, senior researcher at the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, Mike McCurry, veteran communications strategist and spokesperson, and Michael Cromartie, vice president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center.<\/p>\n
Watch video excerpts of panelists discussing the survey findings and how the rise of the \u201cnones\u201d may challenge political parties.<\/p>\n