Choosing Our Religion by Elizabeth Drescher might better be titled Not Choosing a Religion since it is about Nones, those who answer none when queried about religious affiliation.

The key to this wonderful book is that the Nones are finally allowed to speak for themselves. We (I am a None) don't form any kind of a group beyond our answer to that one question. We range from atheists to spiritual but not religious and even Christian without an affiliation. So there is no simple answer or reason that speaks to or for all of us. Drescher captures this beautifully in both her discussions of the recent trends as well as the interviewees she quotes.

There is still quite a bit of framing of non-religious value systems in religious terms but much of that is done by some of the Nones themselves. Even when leaving the institutions behind many find it difficult (or conversely, many find it easier) to retain terms and simply change what they are. Prayer is a good example, since many Nones do indeed pray while some call things prayer that aren't.

I would recommend this to just about anyone. Those who are affiliated will gain a better understanding of Nones. Nones will realize they are not alone. Those who believe that morals are only top down can see that Nones are as moral and ethical as anyone else. Most importantly, this shows that this is not something that needs fixing.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. ( )