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"Dones"

You may have heard of "nones" (those of no religious affiliation or belief). What about "dones"? This refers to those who are now "nones", but previously were believers. "Dones" have "deconverted" and "dechurched". They are "done" with religious affiliation and/or belief. 

According to recent statistics, in some countries "dones" may represent as much as 20% of the population.  

What is the difference between a "none" and a "done"? Well, "nones" do not have any religious affiliation or faith and never have, while "dones" have gone from a place of religious involvement to now no longer affiliating to any religion or having any religious faith (religious deidentification). 

A recent article identifies several different reasons why people become "dones": some stop believing in a higher power, or feel disconnected from him (it), "others stop following the behavioral mandates of a religion", while in some cases people "disaffiliate from particular religious communities" while continuing to believe. 

Faith communities exert a strong influence which, in many cases, continues even after someone has "left". These influences include a strong cognitive framework (a consistent way of understanding the world), habits (such as prayer) and the social ties of the community itself. 

It would be very interesting to read research on the reverse phenomenon, namely those who had previously abandoned faith coming back. In my experience it is not uncommon for someone to return to faith "lost" or "neglected" in childhood, adolescence or later. This can happen when children are born or even later in life. Often the reason for neglecting faith has not been intellectual. Paradoxically, and contrary to the prevalent narrative, it is Christianity which presents the convincing intellectual argument, while a secular worldview is held "because that's what everyone believes".   

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