A Pew Research Center study showed a drop in the number of American Christians – 78% of the population to 71% in seven years. Millennials are largely responsible for the drop. Just 56% of Millennials consider themselves Christians. Religiously unaffiliated Americans, known as the “Nones,” form nearly 23% of the population – a greater percentage than Catholics and mainline Protestants.

So where are the Millennials and the “Nones” going? If we need to ask this question, we don’t understand the issue.

In my opinion, the “Nones” are not interested in a destination. They are not interested in authority telling them what to do, how to act, or what to believe. They are the generation that grew up with the internet. They are the generation that grew up to question authority. They have been exposed to many different philosophies. They are educated, and they are contemplative. They are not looking for answers. They are looking for understanding.

To understand the “Nones,” we need to first examine our religious lexicon. Terminology that is often divisive. Terminology that is authoritative. Terminology that is righteous. Terminology that is objective. And, to be frank, terminology that is being left behind by an evolving society. Terms such as:

God – Too often God is understood as a “person.” A “person” compared to other “persons.” – My God is better than your God. It leads to divisiveness, subjugation, violence and war. A preferable term for the “Nones” is Spirit. It is inclusive and subjective. It emphasizes a process of which we are a part rather than a “person” to whom we are subjugated.

Christian – The term Christian is often viewed as being righteous, hypocritical and unaccepting of other philosophies. The “Nones” prefer Spirituality, a more generic, subjective and inclusive term.

Truth – Truth assumes objective right and wrong. Preferable for the “Nones” is the term Belief. Belief reflects individuality – That we all have our own “answers.”

Must and Should – Assumes there is a proscribed formula for life. The “Nones” prefer the term Could. Could reflects options, multi-direction, redos and learning from the process.

Hell – Assumes there is objective punishment for wrong actions or thought. Preferable for the “Nones” is term is Fear. For “Nones” constraint from being allowed to experience who they are through fear is “hell” on Earth.

Heaven – Assumes there is a reward for correct actions or thoughts. A more appropriate term for the “Nones” is Self-Understanding. For “Nones” heaven is not a destination but an understanding that they are part of the God process on Earth. Heaven is here and now, but cluttered with the “crap” of others telling them what to do, how to act and what to think.

The “Nones” are evolving from “religiosity,” whether we like it or not. Is there something we can learn from them? Or will we hold our ground, and watch them go by to the new society without us?

Timothy Velner is a husband, father, attorney and author living in Minneapolis. You can follow his daily blog – a series of discussions between the worry-self and the present-self at – thespiritualgym.me