Nonverts: The Making of Ex-Christian America

This monograph examines the rapid growth of religious disaffiliation in the United States through a comprehensive sociological analysis of those who have left Christianity. Bullivant coins the term "nonverts" to describe individuals who have undergone a process of deconversion from Christian faith, distinguishing them from those raised without religion. Drawing on extensive survey data, in-depth interviews, and demographic research, the work maps the contours of what the author identifies as an emerging "ex-Christian America."

The study reveals that religious disaffiliation has accelerated dramatically since the 1990s, with the percentage of Americans claiming no religious affiliation rising from single digits to nearly 25 percent by 2020. Bullivant argues that this shift represents not merely indifference to religion but often an active rejection of previously held Christian beliefs. The work challenges simplistic explanations for this phenomenon, demonstrating that political polarization, scandals within religious institutions, and generational changes all contribute to a complex deconversion process.

Methodologically, Bullivant employs a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative analysis of large-scale surveys with qualitative examination of personal narratives. This dual perspective allows him to identify statistical patterns while preserving the nuanced experiences of individual nonverts. The author situates his findings within broader debates about secularization theory, arguing that the American case challenges both classical secularization narratives and American exceptionalism regarding religion's social resilience.

The monograph engages critically with existing literature on religious change, particularly works that minimize the significance of rising disaffiliation or attribute it solely to nominal Christians dropping formal identification. Against such interpretations, Bullivant demonstrates that many nonverts were deeply committed believers whose deconversion involved significant personal struggle and social cost. He explores how factors such as exposure to religious diversity, scientific education, and ethical disagreements with traditional Christian teachings contribute to deconversion trajectories.

For scholars examining the God debate, this work provides crucial empirical grounding for understanding how and why individuals abandon theistic worldviews in contemporary America. While not directly arguing for or against God's existence, Bullivant's analysis illuminates the social and psychological dynamics that lead increasing numbers of Americans to reject religious frameworks for understanding reality. The monograph thus offers essential context for philosophical and theological discussions about belief and unbelief in the twenty-first century.