What are "nones"?

TYLER-There's a new name circulating in church circles. It's called "nones." Nones are people who opt-out of traditional religious rites of passage. According to reports, the number of nones in America is growing at a steady rate.

Church is a common topic in East Texas, but it may not be this way forever. That's because there's a new trend that's sweeping the nation. Nones, or people who claim to have no religious identity, are gaining momentum. Now 18 percent of the population to be exact. This trend is growing especially among young people.

Though some don't consider themselves religious at all, most people considered nones say they believe in God and often pray or meditate. There just not filling the pews each Sunday.

One study suggests nones could one day surpass the nation's largest denominations, including Catholics.

Local Pastor Janice Thompson of Abundant Life International in Tyler says this trend is worrisome because she believes during these hard economic times, Americans need to have something to believe in.

"It worries me because our country is based on religion," Thompson said.

Other local pastors say its just that many more possibilities.

"A lot time we find that people have to come to a point where they realize there not buying into what the church offers before there willing to hear what the church offers," Pastor Ken Warren of Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler said.

Mr. Warren also told us that people claiming no religion maybe up, but the number of Americans with spiritual interest is the highest its ever been.