EIU Media Relations

Eastern Illinois University’s Burge pens new book on American religion

Research explores reasons for growing number of Americans claiming no religious affiliation

 (Charleston, IL) – Eastern Illinois University Assistant Professor and Graduate Coordinator of Political Science Dr. Ryan Burge has authored a new book, The Nones: Where They Came From, Who They Are, and Where They Are Going. In the book, Burge details a comprehensive picture of Americans who say they have no religious affiliation. His analysis and commentary have been featured on Vice News and a variety of other national media outlets.

In the book, Burge works to give readers a nuanced, accurate, and meaningful picture of the growing number of Americans who say they have no religious affiliation. His book explains in part how this rise may have happened, who these folks – who he defines in the book as “nones” – are, and what their lack of religious connectivity might mean for the future of American religion.

Burge teaches in a variety of areas, including American institutions, political behavior, and research methods. His research focuses largely on the interaction of religiosity and political behavior, especially in the American context. Previously, Burge completed an appointment as a post-doctoral research fellow at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute in Carbondale, Illinois. While there, he served as an adviser on issues of survey methodology and polling, as well as providing data collection and analysis.

Burge has published over twenty articles in a number of well-regarded, peer reviewed journals, including Politics & Religion, the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, the Review of Religious Research, the Journal of Religious Leadership, Representation, Politics & Gender, Politics, Groups, and Identities, the Journal of Communication and Religion, the Journal of Religion, Media and Digital Culture and the Social Science Computer Review. Burge also serves as a pastor in the American Baptist Church, having served in his current church for more than thirteen years.

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