Jerry and Cristie Jo Johnston Get to the Bottom of the “Nones” Phenomenon

For years, Drs. Jerry and Cristie Jo Johnston have wanted to understand the “Nones” phenomenon—a gradual, global increase of those who are religiously disaffiliated or do not identify with an organized religion or church.

Researching the “Nones”

Religious leaders and communities alike want to know who are these “Nones,” and why this population is dramatically growing. So why are people beginning to abandon the religious traditions of those who came before them? The Johnstons try to answer all of these questions and more with their extensive worldwide research embedded in literature, television shows, digital curricula/teaching series, and their upcoming documentary.

Understanding the “Nones” Phenomenon

Through their research and productions, the Johnstons have found that the increase in religious disaffiliation is more prevalent in young American adults (ages 18 and older) from all types of backgrounds—regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, or the highest educational level achieved. Since the 1970s, an astonishing one-third of the U.S. adult population under 30—and one-fifth of the U.S. population—have identified themselves as among those who are religiously unaffiliated. In the last seven years alone, this number has increased from 16.1% to 22.8% of all U.S. adults; in the history of Pew Research Center polling, this is the highest number of adults that have reported a disaffiliation with organized religions or churches.

And Then There Were Nones

With this information in tow, the Johnstons have created through the digital and film medium an emotional and informational expose of this increasing societal problem—And Then There Were Nones (working title), which identifies the causes of religious change—while offering hopeful, thought-provoking solutions for this change. For more information about And Then There Were Nones and the Johnston’s on-going research on the religiously unaffiliated, visit http://www.jerryjohnston.com/. 

Jerry and Cristie Jo Johnston Research the Religiously Unaffiliated with New Documentary

According to Pew Research, one in four American adults (approximately 55-70 million people) are part of an increasing population of those religiously disaffiliated—those who do not identify with an organized church or religion (commonly referred to as “Nones”). But why is the “Nones” population gradually increasing? Why are so many people starting to abandon the religious traditions of their predecessors? Drs. Jerry and Cristie Johnston are searching to find the answer.

Researching the Religiously Unaffiliated

For years, the Johnson shave wondered about this unique phenomenon that’s occurring all across the U.S. and around the globe. Over time, this curiosity turned into an on-going worldwide research project—a compilation of filmed interviews, literature, and more that helps answer the questions they and others in the religious community have been asking. The research profiles iconic, international advocates of atheism, secularism, philosophy, sociology, and Christian apologetics, and also consists of over 100 filmed interviews with those who make up this burgeoning disaffiliated community—such as “Nones,” “Dones,” and “Deconversions”—in addition, to worldwide leaders to discover what they truly think of faith, science, and much more. The Johnstons have also collected research and documented the acute biblical illiteracy found in North America and beyond, which is believed to possibly contribute to the emerging “Nones” population.

And Then There Were Nones

Using Jerry Johnston’s extensive background in film and production, the Johnstons have taken this research to a new level; they are currently in the middle of producing television shows and a digital curricula/teaching series based on this phenomenon and the questions it poses. 

One of the more notable projects the Johnstons are working on is their upcoming documentary, And Then There Were Nones (working title), which serves to be a digital compilation of their research findings, in addition to an emotional and informative expose of this seismic societal problem. The documentary also clarifies agents of religious change and concludes with thought-provoking solutions for change.

For more information about And Then There Were Nones and the Johnston’s on-going research about the religiously unaffiliated, visit https://jerryjohnston.com/.

Biography of Dr. Jerry Johnston

Dr. Jerry Johnston is an author, communicator, filmmaker, Transmedia fundraiser, and the proud grandfather of five grandchildren. Since Jerry Johnston first began preaching in 1974, he has spoken in over 1,200 churches throughout North America and the world and captivated the youth on over 2,500 public school campuses by addressing vital issues. Since then, Jerry Johnston has developed a repertoire as a filmmaker and producer, eventually leading up to his and his wife’s—Cristie Jo’s—production of And Then There Were Nones, a documentary that focuses on the dramatic increase of the religiously disaffiliated. The project is a 3-year, international investigation that drills to the core of the problem, and even offers a cure.

Both Jerry and Cristie Jo Johnston’s mission has become to use digital technology to speak to the entire world about important messages. They have a vision when it comes to crossing the digital divide: An International Internet Church that features the 700+ messages Jerry Johnston has filmed, and much, much more. With the many experiences the couple and their family have had at home and across the globe, they wish to help others be the best they can be.

About Dr. Jerry Johnston

Dr. Jerry Johnston is a speaker, author, teacher, Transmedia consultant and fundraiser, filmmaker, and recent Launch Director of the Christian Thinkers Society (CTS) created by his son, Jeremiah Johnston. Since he first began preaching in 1974, Jerry Johnston has captivated churches and schools around the globe, discussing vital issues. Over time, Jerry Johnston had developed an interest and knowledge in media, building up his repertoire as a filmmaker and producer by appearing on scores of major TV shows, and producing videos for Word Publishing that were distributed to thousands of churches. This proficiency in media has allowed him and his wife, Cristie JoJohnston, to produce their newest documentary, And Then There Were Nones, which explores the phenomenon of the drastic increase on the religiously unaffiliated worldwide.

Ultimately, the Johnstons dream to build a School of Speaking, Teaching, Culture, and Media Excellence at Houston Baptist University. With the numerous lessons and experiences Jerry Johnston and his family have had at home and around the globe, they want to share them by crossing the digital divide, eventually creating an International Internet Church that helps others become the best they can be.