Final answer:
Approximately 23% of Americans are 'nones' with no religious affiliation as of 2014, with the number increasing among millennials to 35%. The 'nones' may still hold various spiritual beliefs, and the rise is partly due to the politicization of religion and critical views of religious institutions.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2014, approximately 23 percent of Americans identified themselves as 'nones,' which indicates they have no religious affiliation. It's important to note that this group of 'nones' includes people with a range of beliefs, including those who may still hold spiritual or nontraditional religious beliefs. The term 'none' is distinct from 'agnostic,' which refers to the belief that the existence of God or the divine is unknowable, and 'atheist,' which refers to the denial of the existence of God or gods.
In later surveys, the percentage of 'nones' appears to be growing, especially among younger generations, such as millennials, with reports suggesting a figure as high as 35 percent within that group. Additionally, part of this shift may be attributed to the politicization of religion and a more critical approach towards institutional religious structures.