CNN

Hopefully it means that people can start admitting to being Atheist without being cast out of society. Muslims thought they had it bad, Atheists havent been welcome anywhere.

It's a rather basic indication that this will be another of many nations which never lasted like many in which the ill-informed populace thought it would. Look about you,and note where our priorities are – American
Idol as only one example.

It means that people like George Bush has scared them away from having faith in God. After all, remember Bush told us that God told him to run for president. As a christain, I have had to question God as to why he would allow Bush to become president. I can only say He works in mysterious ways and Bush being president is certainly mysterious.

Many Americans like me a former catholic have stopped going to church for two reasons. 1 lack of relavence: I don't need the church to be a kind giving person 2. Too political: the conservative churches care more about their power than inspiring a generation of Americans.

It means more Americans are thinking for themselves and not following like blind sheep. They are seeing the hatred generated by some religions and recognizing just how disingenuous they really are. Some religions, for example, focus on the rights of the unborn while ignoring the millions upon millions of children who do not have adequate food, shelter, healthcare and education. Another holds one of the world's finest art collections, but allows millions to starve to death. This same religion uses the tithes of the faithful to pay molestation lawsuits. If a person wants to find God, they don't need religion.

Because the ACLU is helping to take it away. ACLU wants no more "inGod we Trust", no school prayer, no Nativity scenes on Town property. The mood is take away religion and replace it with more government.
Religion, no matter what brand gives one a disipline of right and wrong and helps shape a moral character. Take it away and all thats left is politics, which has little or no morals. We see it more and more every day.

Many Americans like me a former catholic have stopped going to church for two reasons. 1 lack of relavence: I don't need the church to be a kind giving person 2. Too political: the conservative churches care more about their power than inspiring a generation of Americans. I live in the suburbs of Phila

People have questions and those questions are not being answered by thier religion. People ask "why?" in trying times and can't find a reason, which brings doubt that there is a God. The next time you ask "why is God doing this to us", follow the question of "what have I done for God".

The Religious Right has driven more people away from organized religion than towards it by being divisive, hypocritical, judgmental, and filled with hate. Our country was founded on separation of church and state. The very thing our Founding Fathers escaped from England, the Religious Right returned to the halls of Congress. If someone wants to believe in God, it's a personal choice, not something to be forced down anyone's throat by a religious zealot or Congressman.

most of them may lost their faith because they probably think that God isn't helping or caring them..they need to read the bible more and stop listening to preachers who aren't preaching the message towards them..people need to have faith as well confidence in themselves because it will happen..religion is the centerpiece in our modern lives that deals with our morality and social issues.people should start believing in GOD and continuing to keep their faith..

Remember Jack,there is no aetheist in a fox hole. Maybe these people don't attend church but I'm sure that they are aware that there is a higher power. Freedom of religion is being able to have a conversation with this higher power any way an individual chooses.

It means all the fake tv so called pastors will have to find some other way to steal money from the elderly and any one that stupid to think that if they send money they will get into Heven.

The americans have religion, we are too lazy to practice it!

Eva
Miami Beach FLorida

To me, it means that we might have some hope of truly realizing our founding fathers' desire for separation of church and state.

I believe most problems in this world stem from organized religion. War, prejudice, hypocrisy – all have their roots based in organized religion. There is nothing wrong with being 'spiritual' and believing in a higher power, just don't give it a name and collect money for it.

Northern CA

It means the mantra of the liberal media and popular culture are sinking in – do whatever you feel like doing, every man (and woman) for themselves, no consequences for your actions, self-discipline and morals are for suckers. There's a saying that if you don't believe in something, you'll believe in anything. Sadly, that is the state we are approaching as a nation. We have lost our bearings, but this has been a systematic take-down of our fundamental beliefs and values, thanks to people like you, Jack, who think they are doing the world a favor by constantly questioning everything and forcing the idea that there are no moral absolutes.

Where have you been, Jack? Obama is President now and it is really hard to worship TWO Gods at once.

I believe in spiritually, NOT religion.

The republican religious right turns multiple people off religion.

It means more and more Americans have seen the light.
Organized religion is too political. Come all ye sheeples.

Jack,
I think it's a sign of the times. Religion has never been so complicated: co-existence with other religions, religious fundamentalism, church scandals, the interplay of religion and the political process, and hate mongering like the Westboro Baptists. It's enough to make a lot of people lose interest, especially with all of the negative press the Christian right has been getting since the election began.

Does it mean people are getting less moral? I don't think so. You can still see the universe as beautiful without the idea that God made it, perhaps even more so becasue the Bible doesn't cover stuff like biological processes, physics, chemistry, or astronomy. You can still say it's wrong to hurt others without the reason being the 10 commandments, maybe it's even easier because you don't have to judge people for having different beliefs.
Thanks,
Macmillan, Toronto, Ontario

It means that the evangelicals are becoming even more radical. I am one who question my own faith but realized that I cant let the idiotic behaviors of others trump my personal beliefs. Thats exactly what they are, PERSONAL BELIEFS. A good Christian is not one who wants to oppress others just to fulfil their own selfish beliefs, but I will let God jugde them. Im just going to worry about myself!

Jack, I think you are misquoting that. It isn't that they have no religion, is that they do not participate in organized religion. I believe that most people in this country have a spiritual core, but with many organized religions becoming homes for whack cases, those people no longer feel comfortable worshipping there.

I'm reminded of the lyrics of an old Peter, Paul, and Mary song from the 70s, I think: "Whereever two or more of you are gathered in His name, there is Love." Many no longer identify with megachurchs, evangelicals who make millions then caught with their hands in the till or their pants down, and churches that prey on their children.

But I still believe that most believe in a Higher Being, loving their neighbors, and treating others as they would like to be treated. They just don't make the news.

Great question Jack! Could it be that the western world has finally realized that more people have been killed in the name of God than for any other reason? Could it be that the leaps forward that science has made has rendered religious dogma obsolete (All terrorist ragheads please read and be prepared to explain. There will be a quiz.) Or is r.e.m's song, "Losing My Religion," making a comback on the charts?

Jack, when people say they have no religion, it means that they don't know what life is all about. No one has ever taught them that the only thing in life that really has meaning is what God teaches us to do. If we followed the Way, the Truth and the Life defined by our God in the bible then we wouldn't be in the mess that find ourselves in today. It's really quite simple–in fact it is so simple that people who are caught up in money, power and sex as their way of life do not even have a clue. If you find yourself wondering what I'm talking about-then you are one of them.
Terry of Austin

I honestly don't believe that Americans have less religion than before, I think that they simply can't afford organized religion. I live in the south and religion seems to be flourishing here. Salem, Arkansas

It simply means more Americans have come to realize they no longer need the political affiliations embedded in the institutions of modern day churches.

We are innately endowed with the knowledge of spirit and moral standards. Those that will choose to live by these standards do not require the peer pressure of organized religon.

It is confusing to say the least. By various reports, majorities say they pray; hold to religion-based views on abortion, evolution, etc.; and want their president to believe (s)he is guided by a higher power than reason and fact. Maybe the religious really don't know what "having religion" or what "not having religion" means. Maybe they think their wholly-religious views are just good, common sense. That's frightening

Hi Jack:

It is a lack of faith by some our people. Remember Apollo 13, when both the house of representatives and senate both passed resolutions for the American people to pray for the safe return of the astronauts? And the American people did. And they beat the odds and returned safely to earth. There is a true and living God among us. Wether or not people have faith in God. It does not change the truth that there is a God and God lives among us every hour of every day.

Ron San Diego

It means you can't stop human progress. Eventually people will come to terms with the fact there may or may not be a higher power but spending you life convinced that you've been given the answer by a book of essays spanning 9 centuries (Bible) is not good for human social cohesion.

In short, I think the day that all humans see the prophets as philosophers, and damn good ones I might add, instead of agents of God, humanity will be much closer to world peace.

Hey Jack,
That is because anyone can be Spiritual without God!
No magic, no superstition, no miracles, no invisable flying pink snakes or elephants, just reason, cause and effect.
There was good people long before fictional religion hit the planet. In fact religion, all of them actually degrade women worse than any other form of philosophy that has ever existed. Where in the 10 Commandments does it say, Men do not hit your wife? Men do not molest your children? Men be responsible for the women you get pregnant?
There ideals are nowhere to be found.
It would seem that like religion, God has no interest in the wellbeing of women and children either!
Religion only continues to keep women in bondage and slavery physically, emotionally, and Spiritually.
Religion only benefits men!
It was "designed" by men for men.
Rich Monk,
Carlsbad, Ca.

I think it means they do not attend church or temple on a regular basis, or at all. Many find their religious experience in a variety of ways from meditation to Golf, but still find some connection to God in their life. Others view any connection to the supernatural as pure superstition but from surveys I have seen they are less than 20% of the population.

It means that they have looked around and can not believe that – free will aside – a just and merciful God can allow all of this mess to have happened to those of us who have always done the right thing and are innocent of wrong doing.

That is a good thing, there are to many false prophets running around this country causing angst among the people. Little would be Oral Roberts, Jerry Falwells and Justin Crowe's [Carnivale] and don't forget unmarried priest's that can not control themselves. It is good people are turning away from outmoded organized religious activities. They do try to bend a person's thinking. The Dark Ages were the direct result of the church's repression of all original thought and truth. We can not go that way again, the church hated women and men that were educated they hated anybody that looked honestly at nature. The ancient Greeks new more about medicine, math and how nature really worked than did Europeans till the 1500's. A lot of people still believe the Earth is only six thousand years old why do they even send their children to public school. That is how bad the influence of religion can be. A thousand years wasted because of religious intolerance. Have a good day.

I grew up in a home where we had to go to church, even though no one believed. If you are a good decent person, and there is a heaven, you'll make it past the governing board. Actions speaks louder than words. How many times have we seen preachers of the bible get caught they've been preaching against?

It means we have finally noticed that throughout history religion has caused more death and suffering than anything else, and also how religion has stifled (and continue to slow) the human race's technological advancements!

More than not you are talking to people who did not have a real relationship to start with, that said, those who beleave are stronger in the faith because the Bible has warned and hopefully prepared us for these times for it is written that times are going to get worse.

Jack: We all look to religion when times get difficult--but religion only offers us the opportunity to help ourselves--it doesn't reslove the problem--when we have no religion then we have no faith to believe in something greater than ourselves-and sometimes that greater substance doesn't have to be GOD--but rather humanity.

They are being honest, not politically correct. People are afraid to admit they have no religion afraid of ridicule, likely by people that also have no religion.

Look what religion has done throughout history. Religion was a means to control the masses by instilling the wrath of god amongst us. People today are far to educated to need such an entity and reject it for what it is. Now our government has taken this role by subjecting us to fear on a daily basis. Some of us are too savvy to buy into it.

Ordinarily I'd say it was nothing more than American self-indulgence, but given the way that most expressions of organized religion seem to be crash-diving into irrelevance these days, is it any wonder that people are re-examining their faiths? Americans don't gladly suffer small-minded autocrats of any stripe, even religious ones. Wonder if the Vatican has noticed the empty pews at Sunday Mass? We do . . . .

Brandon, MS

Ever since one of the political parties decided the franchise on religion in America belonged to them and not god anymore, religion has become more a referendum about abortion and less about the solemn bond between God and a man's soul. More americans say they have no religion because the line between religion and politics has become so pale. My feelings about abortion or stem cells or birth control may not always jibe with the republican party and I dont need them to interpret god's will for me! Me, my god, and my soul will work this out without them.

At least we/they still have the freedom of choice.

I think they are in for a big shock come judgement day and at the least should have hedged their bets when they had the chance.

It means they are no longer buying into the thinking that implies one is unpatriotic or aligned with Satan if they dare to question so-called religious leaders. Politicians use the same nonsense to further their agenda. After 9/11, the same crap was used. Never mind that 9/11 was a response to Desert Storm (how easily some Americans forget that the first Pressident Bush assembled half a million armed troops and then slaughtered thousands of Iraqi soldiers and civilians, many of whom were just trying to get out of the way). Religious leaders use the same tatics to push their agendas. No wonder people question what they're hearing from the pulpit.

Gloucester MA

It means that Americans don't like being told what to do.

Times change , I would never say I am religious , but I am spiritual . There is a difference .Organized religion is a farce and is into fear mongering. The one to be concerned is the Catholic church. . many people I know are leaving that church in droves and trying other religions.
And what can you say about a man that wears red Prada shoes–you think he's out of touch . maybe when he clicks his heals he'll be gone!

I think more Americans aren't making the religion the centerpiece of their lives anymore. Before TV, Internet, and women in the workplace, family and religion were high on the American values list. Now we've become a culture of self-interest, and religion has become less important.

It means that people are finally starting to realize that they don't need a church to tell them how to think. We have evolved into rational beings that don't need "sky fairies" anymore. We base our rules on the principles of fairness, not on whether some god approves of us. We are rational thinking beings who may finally be slowly willing to accept the reality of our own mortality.

I think it just means that many people are unhappy with organized religion. Love thy neighbor, judge not....these things are not evident in many who are supposed to be religious leaders. There seem to be a lot of radicals and that is not good in any religion.

I think what they are saying is that they are sick of the hypocrisy of religion. I grew up strict Irish/Italian Catholic and was an altar boy. If I swore at all, I would be beat senseless. Meanwhile everyone had multiple marriages, abused their kids, allowed others to abuse them, were alcoholics, and still found it in themselves to take us to Church on Sunday with a smile. When you hear supposed Compassionate Conservatives like Bush lie in front of the country and act morally superior than the rest of us, people get sick of religion. I think most believe in God, its man's interpretation that they don't believe!

Wildwood Crest, NJ

It means we are moving in the correct direction.

Jack,

Its about time every one realizes that the biggest FRAUD ever concocted by any one, is RELIGION. It has Killed more humans then any Natural disaster, or disease.

Toronto, Canada

Religion, organized religion,seems to create more problems than it solves. What started out as enlightenment has turn into a lazy set of rules with out thoughtful reflection.

Religion has failed to provide community for our neighborhoods. Religion has failed to provide inspiration for our lives. REligion became just another mechanism to manipulate our political views and seperate us from our money without giving any thing back. Do we really need to tithe ten percent of our hard earned money for the vacuous speeches of windbags? Increasingly the public is saying no.
This doesn't mean that Americans are backsliding into amorality. Americans now prefer to exercise their own spirituality and relationship with God independent of indoctrination. In that personal spirituality the truth has set us free.

Many people say today that they "have no religion":. That does not necessarily mean they have no faith. The corporate church has become just that – a for-profit business. Organized religion has been used to bring the middle class and poorer people into line for centuries. That line was formulated for and by the rich to sedate the poor.and bring them into submission and acceptance of their lot in life, One can have faith without religion: Faith in a higher power, faith in their fellow beings, faith and hope for a better tomorrow, faith in themselves and hope for those who will follow. Just listen to any televangelist or modern day pastor from the pulpit. Jesus chased the money lenders from the temple and that is where they ended up.

Organized religion has always been based on power & control. More people have, and will be killed in the name of God. We need only to practice the Golden Rule which satisfies all ten commandments.

It means that more people are becoming humane. God will not forgive us of all our sins....we have to live sinless for the benefit of humankind. I have never heard of an atheist murderer, rapist, etc. They all see to have religion, but claim to really find Jesus, God, Allah, etc. while in prison.

Atheists realize that we have to look out for each other because there is no God to step in and rectify the horrible situations on earth. Religious people believe they can do anything and God will forgive them just for believing.

Is there an athiest CEO or top banker in America. I bet not. Plus all of our wonderful politicians claim to have religion, and we know a large percentage are guilty of adultery, bribery, lying, etc.

Religious organization, such as the Anglican Church in England, the Vatican, etc. are places for some of the largest accumulations of wealth. Take your tithes and give them directly to an organization that does some good instead of investing in silly gold-embossed gowns for men wearing silly hats.

Jack,

I think that there are many Americans that are totally turned off by the so called "Religious Right" and their "WE know what's GOOD for YOU" attitude esp when many of their so called "leaders" turn out to be completely phony.

It means we are not all defining the word in the same way. If "God is Love, and he who abides in Love, abides in God, and God in him," then some men are better Christians than I'll ever be, despite insisting they are atheists.

Wow, Jack,
That is hard question and personal subject.
My only input would be that many are disenchanted with the
religious right trying to run our country, condemming other
Christians if their beliefs are not the same.
Politics and religion should always be separated but that has
not been the case these last few years. Many are concerned
that a minority demand to speak and try to represent us all.

Well, you're not born with religion...it's part of your education. The American triumverate of education used to be home, school, church. These three sources worked together in an overlapping way to impart both knowledge and values. Today, people don't learn from each other at home, they exist in separate orbits. In school, they barely have time for real knowledge, because they're either preparing for or taking standardized tests. And if a teacher dared to bring up values, she'd lose her job. Church is no longer the center of the community experience because it is no longer is the center of the family experience. The unfortunate consequence is not only the deficits we're imparting to our children, but also the field we've left wide open for the extreme Christian denominations to dominate American religion.

Jack, it does not mean that we do not have a firm belief in God. It simply means that for many of us, organized religion has failed to keep pace with the rapidly changing world and become less relevant in our daily lives. Moreover, in some cases, the teachings of our churches have become so hypocritical and political as to cause serious doubts about how their narrow doctrines fit into our ongoing system of beliefs.

It means most intelligent people refused to be pidgeon-holed into the fanatacisim of organized religion.

Jack
The existence of a supreme supernatural being or in any sort of supernatural phenomena is highly debatable and ultimately unprovable. I suppose that is why belief in such things is called Faith. Personally, I recommend following the advice given by Stephen Hawkings. If you want to read the word of God; Study the Life Sciences. If you want to read the mind of God; Study Physics.

Pablo
Arlington Texas

You can add me to that list. When my parents wanted to get married, they couldn't find a church that would seal the deal. My Mother was Jewish and my Father was Catholic. They got married in a courthouse and had one of the best marriages that I have ever seen. Is it a wonder that many of us choose spirituality over man made rules?

God help us!

Jack
All this means is they are tired of putting money in the collection basket instead of buying food and paying their bills as a result they dont attend services anymore.

They must have converted to Obamanism.

I grew up catholic in Europe and was disgusted what has happened. Another fact is what the evangelical Republicans have done to this country. Lunatics and religious fanatics are the downfall of humanity. I have become a devoted atheist.

It means that more people are finding the radicalism of evangelism to be distasteful. Just like many of us find radical Islam to be threatening, many, also, find evangelism and many other well defined religions to be lacking in the spirituality that is being sought and demanded by many. I find Christianity to be distasteful when those that are leading this country down to destruction to be morally bankrupt and cannot follow where they would like us to follow.

I would almost bet you that if any of those Americans that say they have no religion were put in a position that they were fearful of their lives, they would certainly call upon God for help. . . and he would be there for them.

As Lenny Bruce once said, "Every day people are straying away from the church and going back to God."

I find religion and America fascinating. In most industrialized nations, you have a dominant religion – even more dominant than Christianity is in America – and yet all the political parties aim to run a respectful and mostly secular government. In America, the Religious right and left are extraordinarily powerful factions able to turn elections

So what does it mean that more Americans have no religion? Nothing, until these powerful factions are not dominating politics and secularism is allowed to thrive.

What it says to me is that our school systems are finally getting their godless message across that these systems have been teaching for many years, which is very, very sad and dangerous to society as a whole. When teachers can teach evolution and not creationism, the deck is stacked and not balanced in terms of the choice one can make in life. Citizens that attend church on a regular basis, and believe in God, tend to be our most productive citizens. The vast majority are not in our prison system, make good grades, less likely to divorce, less likely to sell drugs or become a user, and truly respect the right of citizens that disagree with their religious beliefs. Yes, christians do not believe in the secular life style and they will voice their opinions, but almost never (you do have your zealots) in a violent manner.

Jews discover they are the chosen people of the one and only God, and write the Bible. Later Jews deny God's Son, however; pagans form the Christian Religion, and write their own Bible honoring Gods Son. Later Christians break away into different sects, writing many versions of the Bible creating a breeding ground for Tammy Faye, and Jim Baker.

How could one not have faith in religion after JIm, Tammy Faye, and Catholic child molesting priests?

Jerry N/Broken Arrow, OK

Jack,
For me it means that God as I understand Him is everywhere and I don't have to practice a man made religion to gain entry into heaven or hell. I just have to be the best person I can be and let GOD judge me according to His guidelines and in His time. Having no religion does not mean having no God.
Judie
St. Augustine, Fl

It means that of the people aren't either intellectually curious enough or simply smart enough to look around and wonder how there can be an infinately expanding universe and no beginning of time.

Of course, who knows? Maybe they solved it.

People see that no amount of prayer is getting them out of situations with the economy, health care, climbing taxes, etc. and a Congress that is not helping them out of debt, but getting them and their children more in debt, and just plain give up and stay away from church and anything that has to do with religion..

I think there are a lot of people who have got in their heart and talk to him on a regular basis. I happen to be one of them people. I believe in the separation of church and state. I do not get upset when the 10 commandments are removed from the courthouse. I know right from wrong and believe in helping my neighbor whenever possible. I receive e-mails from people who attend church on a regular basis and belong to an organized religion, telling me how I should worship my god. The very next day the same people will send me e-mails saying President Obama is a Muslim. I think this is why you see a decline in people joining a church today. Some of these religions brought politics into a place where politics does not belong and are now suffering the results of their actions.

To a large extent it means that serious religious people, primarily Christians, have failed by allowing religion to be defined not by the people who understand it best, but by the people with the biggest mouths and smallest brains. Thinking that Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, or Oral Roberts have proclaimed the teachings of Christ requires the same cognitive dissonance as believing that Fox News is "fair and balanced."

Andrew Allen
Enid, Oklahoma

Jack, I personally believe it means that Americans have a lack of commitment to anything beyond themselves. Having faith takes dedication and the willingness to defer to power greater than ourselves. But the rewards are many. When times are tough, faith offers hope. Not having a view beyond ourselves can lead to feelings of despair, isolation, and hopelessness. Stir these ingredients gently and you get mental illness, desperate and possibly criminal actions, and suicide. I know I couldn't make it through this alone.

Americans see the "Christianity" flowing from the Religious Right & do not want to align themselves. I a Christian is to follow ideas such as "judge not......" & "love one another". That isn't the meessage I hear from the RR.

God help us.

I have long considered myself an agnostic (after having been raised an evangelical) and am pleased to see the trend reported by the poll. I think that it is mostly due to people reealizing there is not as much social stigma attached to saying one is not a believer as there once was. Also, I think that new advances in science are causing people to question the Bible's factual accuracy, which makes the "literaly true word for word" position hard to maintain.

I believe religion is a by product of man's relationship with God. So though many may say they have no "religion", I'll bet they still carry on a personal relationship with the creator. Reminds me of a M*A*S*H episode where Klinger was asked if he was really an atheist. His response "Yeah! Swear to God!"

That,maybe,we are learning to stop believing in things that can't be proven and we stop following cults.

I'm not sure how the question was put to those who responded to the survey. I think that when Americans say they have no religion, it means they don't buy into the religious institutions, not necessarily that they don't believe in a higher power. Many religious institutions have such a narrow point of view and are so adament that they are right and other institutions are wrong that I think they are turning people off – at least that is how I respond to their message.

Why have to get up early on Sunday morning when you can flip on the tv and watch all the Christian preachers on the idiot tube? I don't go because I don't like what the churches have become. Nothing but big business. They don't help the poor and down and out like they should. They want in politics and my ancestors left England because of religion in politcis.

OMG, I never knew that Jack....

Let's hope that it means people are starting tthink! Believing in God is one thing, but we need to remember that religions are created and controlled by people!

Not Much....

There always has been and always will be certain individuals who don't believe in GOD or an established Religion. That is their perogative, after all we still live in a FREE country,...... I think.

I for one will keep my Bible, FAITH and my gun....Obama can keep the change.

To me it means that Bush, Falwell, Robertson's etc ridiculous moralistic political notions foisted on the nation based on their particular beliefs have done damage not only to the nation but to organized religions. I think it's totally appropriate that organized religion contracts given the situations caused by a dangerous intersection of church and state over the last eight years. There's a reason American founders saw fit to keep the entities of church and state separate. Given an all out battle of will, I believe state would win in a death match.

Jack,
In this day and age when churches try and tell us how to act in the bedroom, who to vote for in the voting booth, and with whom we should associate with (straight people intead of gay peaple) it is no doubt that many Americans have said "Thanks, but no thanks," to organized religion. I still believe many Americans believe in some sort of a higher power but just do not want a church official with a book of rules and regulations coming with it.

Jack: It might mean they do not belong to a religion, such, catholic or methodist, but rather they believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ. A person might believe in a higher power, but not a particular church. A person might not like the traditional church service, but rather rock and roll for hymns, and a more emotional time spent praying to God. Or they might just be non-believers who want sleep in on Sunday's.

John from Alabama

Americans do have a religion, and they always did. It's call do what
ever everyone who is in the right click is doing. Right or Wrong because the click is the thing. And I am not just talking about children.
Clicks feed on all others. And the religion of getting rich by feeding
on others has always been here. You make or produces sometime for 1 dollar and sale it for 100 dollars. That is not business,
that is feeding on people. But do not fear, when this is over they will
have a real religion. Everyone will walk in the shoes of pain.

Jack, Most Americans had better get on their knees and Prayer to God Obama can get us out of the mess the republicans have put us in.Believe me I have been Praying for eight years for the Bush/Cheney years to end.

As more of the mysteries of human existance are explained by science, the thoughts of bronze-age people on the great questions of life become largely irrelevant. Historians are doing their part as well. Just recently, archeologists have found evidence that the Jewish people never were slaves in Egypt, never wandered in the desert, and, in fact, lived in the "promised land" from their earliest days. The wisdom contained in most religious writings can be accessed without the accompanying legends, myths and stories.

hi jack
I dont know what Americans dont have religion,and i wish them the best,but thats a small number like the GOP party is.in hard times most people i know pray alot more now than when times were good.I bet your not one of them that dont beleive.
clearwater,fl

Years ago I gave up religion for lent. I believe there is a god, I also believe that religion is the greatest cause of war, hate and death. Why stop and channel through some slick suited tax evading sales man when I call dial direct.

It means they have a brain that actually works! Religion is man-made cooked up to gain power through using God as a Boogy Man. You can probably find more people living a Godly life with out ritual than you can find in any church.

Jack...I think a lot of people are starting to see organized religion as being not true the matters they are teaching. I think that there are still plenty of people that trust in a higher power, but are turned off by others like some on the religious right that don't practice what they preach. I see more bigotry, racism, intolerence from people that are supposed to be so pious and to me it IS a big turn off. The term Christian is supposed to mean being Christ-like and there are too many that just don't fit that form. It really became more prevelant in the last campaign with a lot of the Palin supporters and their antics. A lot of non religious people after seeing some of them I'm sure decided to stay that way.

Jack, the numerous scandals involving Protestant Mega churches and the Catholic Church have shown that these organizations are no different than the large banks and corporations that have failed us recently.

These churches and businesses are driven by greed, divisive political agendas, and a “what’s in it for me?” philosophy that has bankrupted business literally and the churches morally. Both of these organizations propagated myths of happiness, only to show that they are seriously flawed organization.

they are finding out god don't need money,

I think the Conservatives have actually given "religion" a bad name in a lot of ways, made it over-bearing, divisive, seemingly narrow-minded, way too political and pretty much a caricature of itself. If what we've seen in the last 8 years is the defintion of a "religion", I certainly wouldn't want to be put in that particular box. It's embarrasing. And not the private, personal and humble belief system that you quietly and respectfuly "share" with others of the same cloth, rather than force it down the throats of total strangers. And certainly not as a political tool.

It doesnt mean that they necessarily believe in nothing.....it means they have stepped out of the trap of conventional thinking. I myself believe in God but not at all in what I call the "bi laws" of the church. Too often today churches are not used as places of worship, but rather a way of brainwashing and financial gain, as well as political platforms. This is not what God intended. If I have relations with the woman I love but cant yet afford a marriage ......it is between myself and the creator i believe in , not a man who probably has sinned just as many times as I have.

Excellent news! Now maybe people will begin to reason, and make decisions based on reality, rather than mythology.

It is obvious that many Americans are involved in a new religious order that was growing at a phenomenal rate until the past three months. It is the worship of the new triune, Me, Myself and what's Mine. In this new order Greed is the primary driver with the ultimate goal to attain all that can be accumulated without concern or thought for the well being of others.

There will be a turning away from this new cult as the Millennials start taking over and have to face the consequences of the financial disaster that has been wrought on them by the ME-Generates. Tune into iReport and listen to some of these Millennials who are faced with a really tough future thanks to the worship of Greed.

Good question Jack, this is directly connected to the down fall of the GOP. The reason more and more people have no religion is because, no matter how many witches we burn, the crops just wan`t grow. You can`t be a good christan and keep your common scence.

Americans seem to "feel the Spirit", when the "sun is shining", and everything is "rosy". They can parrot chapter-and-verse...and, sing "hosannas", until the cows come home...beating the bushes for "converts", and spreading the Good Word. But...boy, when the pendulum swings the other way, and their fortunes change...just hear all of the whining and BLAME that they heap on God!!! Like spoiled children, who have, at last, come to face the hard realities of "discipline" and "restraint"...they throw tantrums at Dad, and accuse Him of being "mean", and of "not caring"! When the stock-market turns around, the churches will fill-up, again...and the charitable verses will, once again, be spouted...and, the sermons will ring-out cautioning against profligracy, and wantonness. Then, "God" will be back "in favor", again...when Americans have everything they want, and their "party" is once again in full sway...

Religion is a freedom and a personal decision. Religion has turned into corporations who do not pay tax. They have had scandal after scandal. Reminds me of politics..those two should not be together.
If you have faith in God then their is no need to put your faith in people. You can put your hope in people. If you don't believe in God then that's your choice. We have become a nation without integrity and belief, other than the almighty dollar.
I do not believe in religion, but I personally believe in a creator that is so far above our understanding. That belief helps me to do what is right.

It's just one more institution in which people have lost faith and trust.
-tom
spring valley

It means Christ is coming soon.

No What? No free-loader, to live on your already small income.

religion is just a state of mind, those who have religion are missing something else in their lives. those who do not have religion either have it in their hearts where it belongs or they are seeking it from some other false source...

if you don't beleive in god who do you beleive in ?

It means they forgot who they called on when they nearly missed this or that. I've yet to meet anyone who doesn't believe in a higher being of some sort. Maybe they don't have a religion in particular because each teaches something different. One thing is for certain, in death and life, the higher being has no respect of person, Nothing will be simply because you're catholic, baptist, methodist, COGIC, pentecostal, Jew or gentile. Religion is merely an affiliation to some extent. I'm a Christian and I've got Jesus. That's enough.

For religion to exist. You have to first have a teacher. But I already that didn't I. Sorry i don't speak your language Jack...

Hopefully it means America is smartening up, some!

I believe in God, but I don't believe in religion.

Really? Put them in a foxhole alone in Afghanistan with a rifle and see how fast they change their minds.

I don't need a church or a religion to talk to God, but I don't understand why this country is so bent on making sure any religion is taboo everywhere and yet we have a religious litmus test for people that run for president. Why don't the same people protest and whine about that? When the religion and the religious stop being such hypocrites and stop trying to convince everyone that God talks to them personally, maybe people will embrace religion again.

It means no one religion has a monopoly on god or morality. Being a good person is something you do, not something you receive from a religious organization.

What does it mean? That people are either starting to realize that religion holds no place in the world or that the ancient religions no longer apply to the modern mindset.

People are tired of the hatred the ancient religions espouse so they're leaving them behind.

That doesn't mean they've given up believing in deity or deities, it just means they've given up religion.

Honestly, not a bad thing at all. Religion has held far too much power for far too long and caused far too much suffering.

Who needs Christianity when you've got Obama's blessing of "hope" and "change"?

Jack, I for one am fed up with the devisive, hate filled speech coming from pulpits all across the country. The rhetoric of Wright, Dobson and others is not filled with acceptance and care but is, instead, filled with deceipt and intolerance. Religion? I'd say "indoctrination."
I don't need it. I don't want it. I don't recognize it. And...I'm not alone.

There are several reasons. Here is a short list.
First, people are wiser. A burning bush that talk, a virgin having a baby, the Red Sea parting, and so on. If you are a realist like me you know this is nonsense.

Two, too much hate. Religion is now pushing a hateful agenda against gays and lesbians, just like they did against blacks, interracial marriage and many others. They should live their lives by their believes; but they should not forced their believes on others.

Third, they do not believe or practice what they preach. I have a big list here but here is the one that gets them every time. Christians say that Jesus Christ is white but the bible says he had hair of sheep wool and skin of burnt brass. They will not knee for a black man.

And finally, the world sucks! War, hate, rape, disease. This God guy is not very good.

Kirven Dunham
Rancho Cordova, CA

Being from the "Bible Belt" in Atlanta and all over South Carolina, I worshiped through the vehicle of regular church attendance. In the mid 1980's i became disenchanted with with my church and tried different denominations. Most of these protestant churches were politicizing the congregations and interacting to make a block of so called "Christian right wing voters.
I am a Christian. Christ was in the business of love and forgiveness. People including pastors, the disable and the able, the clean, the dirty, the rich and poor, different skin colors, different sexual orientation are sinners. I want to attend organized church where all sinners are welcomed. I worship at home, and try to practice my beliefs each day. The Organized Church of our country are arrogant and believe that their perception is "the Truth."

Whether right or wrong, I don't affiliate myself with any particular religion. I consider myself to be a Christian, pray every day & believe in God. If there are very many others like me, I don't think it means anything negative.

Mother always told me I was so bad that I could drive the Devil out of his Den. She never counted on so many Lobbyist and members of Congress and the Senate being there so my efforts to do this has caused me to lose my religion. I still believe. I just don't see it.

The Republican right spent the last eight years entangling religion with politics. It should come as no surprise that people are now running from religion with the same speed as they are abandoning the Republican party.

It means Christians are lying when they tell you America is a Christian based nation. It is not now, nor has it ever been. It has always been a melting of pot of secular and multi-religous influences.

That their faith isnone of anyone's business. Or; that worshipping one way or the other brings problems. People don't want any pressure from their own either. Back to the closet.

Christian faith is all that separates us from the ideas where human life has no value. All I can say is that the people who don't realize the importance of faith have never stood by the side of a loved one dying and seen the hand of God at work. I worked for cardiologists over 27 years and they all attest to the fact that they can tell which of their patients have a close faith affiliation and are prayed for because they have seen miracles beyond medicine's ability.

The bible says all we have to have is just the faith of a mustard seed–perhaps those people should see a mustard seed to know what God can do with that little faith!

Knoxville, TN

I feel very sorry for those who say they have no religion. Religion is a great source of comfort for most of us and for many religion is all they do have. How many times I have heard people say "thank God" for something that has happened to them, I wonder of they really mean it.

It simply means that the U.S. is becoming a more secular culture – I believe most Americans do believe in a higher power; they just don't subscribe to any particular religion.

It can mean two things. Either they are atheists or they are spiritual, like I am, and believe in God but don't need some organized religion to communicate to God for them. I think organized religion, in most cases, is the cause of some of our world's greatest problems.
Brownwood, Texas

Less and less now believe in fairy-tales. Hallelujah!!

Religion is what someone believes about the world, or how they view the world. To not believe in anything would be ignorant. As humans, we all have some type of belief system which is a religion. I'm writing from Grand Rapids, MI.

In short, the sins of religious right wing extremists in this country are finally showing their true colors. I have a bachelor’s degree in Bible and Religion and I say all this with no religious or denominational bias. Every since religious right wing extremists infiltrated and played their part in hijacking the GOP, it has become obvious to those in this country who exercise sound personal thought that a great deal of religion in this nation is a very ugly thing. Anymore, the face of religion is very much like the hate mongering spew and intolerance preaching spew of those like Ann Coulter . Christianity in the U.S. has lost the message of Jesus Christ and if those in our religions are supposed to be the good guys, most people would rather not see the bad.

HD in AZ

not much, because most people still claim to have a religion.

I think it means what the study indicated: that many people are fed up with organized religion. I'm an old time fire and brimstone Baptist, and the preachers had no problem telling us that we would go to Hell for sinning, but they didn't get involved with our politics or political matters. I think we need to get back to that.

It just goes to show how parents are raising their children with no values or morals.It's a down right shame. When they say it takes a village to raise a child they didn't mean send them outside to let the wolves raise them..Religion is morals and values..

Unless you are a card carrying atheist, everyone believes in something or someone. I feel that someones religion or lack of should be a strictly private matter. It shouldn't be forced down someones throat if they don't believe, and they should never be treated like an outsider. Most people believe but choose to keep it to themselves.I think the pompasity of the religious right over the past eight years scared many people away.

A very interesting question. I hope the people that says they have no religion are saying this because of a long and thoughtful decision they have made for themselves throughout their life experiences. I am an Agnostic, because of the experiences I have had traveling around the world back in the sixties as a flight crew member with the United States Air Force. Before my military career, growing up in the city of Philadelphia I was an altarboy (called an acolyte) in an episcopal church. I believed I was firmly committed to my faith, and religion. Traveling around the world didn't deminish my faith, but it showed me that I could maintain my faith with out the cumbersome mantle of religion. I have been out of the military now for about forty years and during that time I have achieved a graduate degree, married, and my wife and I have raised three children and now have five grandchildren, and I still hold true to my faith being an Agnostic. I feel I am no less of a person for that decision, and still an American.

religion is big business and big money and people are tired of giving up their earnings. they can pray to GOD any time and he will not ask you for your wallet as they do in Churches of today.

It means that healthy debate, the ability to question authority, and the free flow of information are alive and well. I can't say for sure whether people are right or wrong for turning away from religion, but I know it's a good thing we have the freedom to do so.

All religion is mythology, though we reserve that word for the the polytheistic predecessors of our current monotheistic variety. Religion was used to control the masses, to get them to endure the wretched lot for a reward in the afterlife, as opposed to rebelling against their current oppressors (political leaders) who were deemed to be dieties, or annointed by the diety(ies). But religion has also been the most devisive and catastrophic force of civilization.

More people no longer require this mythology to guide their lives or explain the unkown. They now have a quality of life that is not worth risking by violating the social contract (laws) of civilization. They now believe more of knowledge attained by scientific methodology rather than ancient mythologies of human authors.

However, this may change if things get really bad. It has often been said that there are no atheists in fox holes.

Corona del Mar, CA

When I ask people if they're religious, most of them say they're not sure, they believe in a "higher power", or they agree the Bible is a little wack. I have no religion and I call myself a rationalist. Which means we understand the world through reason based on factual analysis. I think Americans are beginning to realize how ridiculous and hypocritical religion is.

I suspect people are just less afraid to speak their minds, especially now that as a people we have become more diverse. I have relatives who faithfully attended church because as members of society and their social group it was expected of them, even though they had no religious inclination. These days, we don't bother.

I am one of those people. I consider myself spiritual, but not religious. I believe in the afterlife and I believe that we are all on a soul journey to improve ourselves. However, I do not follow any specific religion, but take concepts that I find inspiring and useful from numerous religions. Religion tends to divide people against each other, and we need ways of understanding each other and getting along in these times.

Spirituality and religion are two different things. Many people do not ascribe to religion, but remain faithful to God. Church for others is a social occasion. It is the Jerry Falwells of the world that turn many away from the churches. Much ignorance and fanatical behavior is brought on by religion and those who preach it, not by God.

Americans losing their religion will lead us down the road of progress. Countries with less religious populaces have lower crime rates, teen pregnancy rates, stds...the list goes on. This is excellent news for our nation!

It means maturity and intelligence is finally setting in. Science beats Fairytale every time. With any luck, people will stop believing Pro Wrestling is unscripted as well.

I profess to not having a religion. I think that those of us who were once Christians, or Christians light as I called it, have been so turned off to religion due to the last 8 years. We have watched religion used as an excuse to exclude people from society (gays), to take rights away from us (abortion) to kill thousands of people (911), and to pick world leaders.

The golden rule is the essence of all religion, but once a god is introduced the beleivers forget the golden rule and find anything they want in the proclamations of that god and can justify just about anything. We have seen it time and again over the generations.

Wouldn't it be a better world if we all just took care of each other?

It means people are finally starting to wake up. Religion is nonsensical, antithesis to free will and just plain old silly. Not to mention it's almost entirely dependent upon your parents and/or where you live, it's not some magical journey we go on to discover for ourselves. It also has been the cause of most of our wars.

Jack–
I gave up organized religion about 10 years ago, and I've found that my life has become more spiritual. Too much of organized religion is taken up with social and political issues that aren't really what going to church every Sunday should be all about. Worshiping God shouldn't be all about tithing, building, protesting as it is in many churches today. And frankly, I don't want someone else telling me how to think, feel, act, and vote. So, I think it means many Americans want freedom from an organized omnibus organization that calls itself a religion. Spirituality doesn't happen just on Sundays in a designated building and many Americans have found that out.

What does being religious mean? Perhaps it means that people don't want to belong to a "church" but still believe in a Creator, life after death, and share the ethics of most religious groups. Many people are turned off to the organized church with it's narrow and country club attitudes.

I for one believe in the good Lord, Jesus Christ...... How can we not, with all the turmoil in this world? I'll make a safe assumption to say that we'll look back on this time one day, and realize that he carried us all (believer, non-believer) through...... God is definitely needed for such a time as this.

It means that Americans are waking up and realizing that religion is false and it only causes problems for people and divides them. Hopefully more will use their own logic in looking at the world and stop relying on institutions to tell them what to see.

More people realize that they are not living their lives according to religious tenets, so why keep up the charade that they are "christians" or other religions just because that's what they were taught as children. Crazy fundamentalists, pedophile priests and the higher ups who aided and abetted them, the nuts who used Terry Schiavo to advance their crazy beliefs, raving homophobes...... who wants to be associated with religious people when so many of them seem like hypocrites and lunatics? Not me. cy gardner arlington, va

The reason is the religious right have turn people off with their brand of Christianity they don't hear the savior message of love they brother, and Judge not if they did the pews would grow. I'm sorry I only use christianity as an example but I sure the other religions are having the same problems messaging.

Jack I am an old 70 year old man. I played the religion game for years being a participating member of several christian organizations. After all these years I have found great peace in not believing in any religion. We live and we die. It is a great adventure and it can be very enjoyable. Religion interferes with that process.

I think it is because Jack, that Americans are seeing religion as becoming much more political and secular (wanting the material to include material power in government) as opposed to spiritual. Americans do not want or need government telling what to believe or how to believe. If one religious faction wants to control the message and through the offices of government, then the people can turn around and say what they won't accept about it. They will have no religion rather than have their freedoms of belief compromised by politically religious groups.

established religions are things of 'men'. i always considered myself christian cuz thats what i was raised around. as i get older, i think my common sense has taken over, and , so, i just consider myself as 'spiritual' or 'how the hell do i know?'. established religions seem more interested in stealing money from the sick and the old ,than anything else.

Jack, Contrary to popular inference, it doesn't mean Bill Maher is winning.

My mom is a devout Jehovah's Witness, and she doesn't have a religion herself... she has faith. Faith is an entirely different understanding. Religion is just a conditioning set of traditions, bored into the skulls of impressionable children, that continues to prove itself entirely subjective.

Faith is something wholely different. Faith is what strengthened the colonies to believe that the United States was a tangible fact. Faith is what supported my brother when he prayed that god would take the tumor from his brain at age 18, and it is what allowed my childhood friend, Jessica, to live far beyond expectations and helped her deal with the fact that Leukemia was going to kill her.

So, when you ask what it means that more and more Americans are saying they have no religion, my response is .... people are trading defeatable traditions for indominable faith.

Bet you thought you'd never hear an Atheist give a shout out to faith huh?

Doesn't mean a thing. Religion is old 2,000 year old semi-history. Faith is a belief in God, your fellow man, and loving each other. Church is often just hate and greed. I worship God which to me is the life force (E=MC2) and I have faith. Religion? Forget it, Christ wouldn't get caught dead in one of those places. Ralph, Yakima, Wa.

As a "cradle" and lifelong Catholic, I've been feeling incrementally disappointed with my Official Roman Catholic Church and its leadership from the Vatican, diocesan and even local levels for many years.
Organized religion is all about money & 'my God' is better than 'your God'. Hundreds of millions of lives have been taken over the centuries in the various names of God & it's all a load of sheep-dip.
I'll maintain my personal spirituality but the worldwide industry of Religion can just blow it out their blow-hole.

Thanks,

Jim – Willowick OH

Many wars are based on religion. Much social divisiveness is due to religion. The fewer people with religion the better.

Jack,
Could it mean that people are no longer interested in the radical confining structure of organized religion? It may not mean that they are not spiritual or do not believe in a higher being but do not hold much faith out for the necessary contortions of interpreted /restrictive /exculsionary dogma?

The 'this way only' or 'my way is right and yours is wrong' is not inclusive and is most devisive ! The World is open and knowledge is flowing-it no longer must be me against you!

if my neighbor is of a different faith it is an opportunity to learn -not exclude!

It is very sad. They have no chance of an after life. Jesus was hung on the cross, so we can all be saved. Please don't let it be for naught. It seems like the young people are being led into situations that is related to guns, sex, gangs, hate, etc. Please give all of this up and grow into great men and women as You will lead this Country in a few years. Maybe your parents will see that you have turned out for the better and want to do the same.

Jack, it means that a good many people, myself included, are Christians, but don't believe that some guy standing in front of you and telling you all about repenting, then going to meet his hookers is the one you need to listen to. In addition, the money your giving is to keep that guy and his family supported, and to build more churches. I recall that Jesus wasn't that worried about money. Last I looked all those preachers put their pants on the same way we do, one leg at a time.

I am what they call a "cafeteria catholic". Why??? because the laws put in place by my church are more and more impossible to follow. And more so now that my hero John Paul II is no longer here. Benedict XVI is turinng out to be a disapointment. So give me a few years I may be amongst the non believers.
Jorie
NY

Guess their life is pretty empty. No God, No Life!!!!!!

Good to see they're getting smart!
Tino, NYC

I believe in god but I am considered Cafeteria Catholic because I support gay marrige, embryonic stem cell research and am pro-choice. I am in my 20's and hope we finally start letting us determine for ourselves the truth isn't this the land of the free. Any religion who would use these hate tactics against any minority well good riddence. Stop hate America please!

Many people in this country, including myself, are turned off by the narrow mindedness of the fundemental christian message being put out by the "mainstream" churches. I know the intolerance that I see in these bodies would make Jesus sick. That and the "money grubbing, backsliding and just plane hipocritical actions make me want to stay away. Yes, I am a christian but I will worship in my own way. Oh yes, how has the "fundemental" government worked out in Iran?

Jack, more Americans having no religion is not a horrible thing or some sign of social deviance. It is simply a cultural shift in the way we, as Americans, view the world we live in. I believe it is also a result of the fast-paced "live in the moment" kind of lifestyle that we have adopted.

Religion is divisive. It's used as justification to do everything from denying people rights to killing others. The more Americans with no religion the better.

It means more people are wising up.

And, who promoted and calculated this survey? A pro secularist activist professor. Consider the source before you pass out false information created for an agenda!!

Jeff Crocket
New Britain, CT

Finally, more people are deciding not to be delusional.

I think it means they just do not practice a structured religion.
Saying you don't have a religion doesn't mean you don't believe in God.
I found, some years ago, I could be a believer without going to church.
Some people need to have the fellowship and that is good if you are truly comfortable with all the strings that come with it.
My religion is straight to God with no strings fastened by humans.

Hi Jack:

It is a lack of faith by some our people. Remember Apollo 13, when both the house of representatives and senate both passed resolutions for the American people to pray for the safe return of the astronauts? And the American people did. And they beat the odds and returned safely to earth. There is a true and living God among us. Wether or not people have faith in God. It does not change the truth that there is a God and God lives among us every hour of every day.

Ron San Diego

It means people are finally coming to their senses.

Hesitant allegiance to organized religion is the flight response ever since the last evangelical President dragged the nation to the dump and Sarah Palin tried to do it again. People are paying better attention to powerful voting blocks saying “never again”.

who is saying that? most people we know that might even feel that way usually keep quiet about it.

I think more & more people in general are starting to realize that religion is nothing but a crock. If you added up all the people that have died, either in the name of religion or because of differences in their religion, then you would come up with a number that exceeds the world population!
Dave from NH.

I suspect people are just less afraid to speak their minds, especially now that as a people we have become more diverse. I have relatives who faithfully attended church because as members of society and their social group it was expected of them, even though they had no religious inclination. These days, we don’t bother.

Jack here is the truth of the matter. Religion and spirtuality have for the most part nothing in common especially when the religions are run by nut cases and power mongers. The deeper truth is that not to have any religeous affiliations does not mean they don't have God in their hearts and lives. I think they have finally figured out that they don't need some preacher in a thousand dollar three piece suit telling them that they have the answers and that the population needs them to get saved. God is a personal choice and if you decide that you and God are doing just fine, thank you, then more power to them. The only thing that churches are good for is to keep someone in a job and a place to give all your money too so that the preacher and family can live in a life of luxury and do nothing for it but attain the ability to yell and scream.

Roy
Olympia, Wa.

It seems to me that more Americans have been on an airplane, they all peered through the window to find no kingdom in the sky.

People are disillusioned with institutionalized religion. No one wants to identify themselves with an ideological institution. I myself worship privately and occasionally attend a Methodist church. But I don't identify myself as a Methodist. I believe in God, and I think many Americans still do, but religious institutions need to face up to the hyporisy that is evident among many of them.

Jack. It means one thing. We blame the one that loves us most. God.... I’m not a preacher, but I do know one thing. When I am in trouble I tend to blame God for my misfortune. I was down on my luck and was told I have a life threatening disease. I then learned to talk to God and asked for help. This was back in 2000. I am still alive. The doctors told me I am in the upper 10 percent that defeat this disease. I am still here. When life gets hard don’t turn on the one gift we have that can see us through the toughest times. Believe. It doesn’t hurt to pray and hope. Religion is shared in many ways by many nations. Yes, blaming the one we are taught is our savior is the easiest ticket of releasing our pain. But isn’t it better to pray then to quit? Back in 2000 I fell to my knees and then I spent months talking to God outside in a private way. One night a voice came to me and said, "Dan, just go to bed. Everything will be ok" I trusted that voice. I am the one typing this message. Believe it or not. But then again, it;s much easier to not believe....

After listening to Rush the other day and hearing his joke on yes CNN I can see why. Just where is the religious right. Why did they not demand he be fired for saying God thinks he is Rush. Also manny of our religious leaders are corrupt equal to Madoff and the churches want your money but just wherer does what you give them go. The trust is gone with religion at least for now.

Jack,

are public funds used for based faith organizations?

Does it mean you get some tax credit for not having a religion?

Does it mean less public funds will be used in faith based initiaitives and influence government policies?

I think you can look at the current state of the economy and see that more Americans have no religion. If they had, they would have been reminded on a regular basis that greed and steeling are wrong – just because you can get away with it doesn't make it right. The business "leaders" that made the shady loans have obviously either forgotten that or were never taught that in Sunday school / Church.
David M.
Danville, CA

Lets see we've all but ruined the country with runaway greed and recklessness and it's hard to find any example of morals in our culture. Maybe we don't need religion but we need something.

Jack: Americans are de-toxing from years of comand and control rules that don't work for them anymore. As such, they are sick of being told what to think. While many churches are well intentioned, many have a political agenda which people are just turning away from. In time this will change again, but right now people are "made and they're not going to take it anymore"!!

Religion (any one of them) is probably the power of last resort that guides one's conscious and quest to be held accountable. Considering those now running the country, I am not surprised this final hurdle of responsibility and accountabiilty is being diminished.

Less religion equals less hate, less ignorance, and more promise for peace.

As a former christian and now devout agnostic I can truely say my life changed when I reached an age of reason. Perhaps our fellow countrymen and women have achieved the same.

Oh, another, "what does it mean?" question. Sorry, I don't ever seem to know what anything "means". Let's see, maybe it means people are getting smarter. That's it! I'll bet that's what it means.

With all the wars that have a religous bases I can see why people are backing away. Guess we are getting tired of it all. Maybe we have just stopped wearing our religion on our sleeves. Too bad the Taliban can't do that.

It means that common sense is finally shown up after a 25 year absence. It is nice to believe in a higher power, but not to the detriment that rational thinking goes out the window. Yes, it is in the higher power's hands, but that higher power also gave humanity a brain. It is time we used it.

I'm one of those "no religion" folks. For me, it means I've seen too many manmade religions. I was married to a minister who didn't believe there was a God - yet he was just fine with preaching every Sunday to collect a paycheck. So my "religion" is between me and my Maker now. I don't plunk down money to pay for a church's stained glass window or a new gym. I give to St. Jude's Hospital or to other worthy causes that do some good in the world. I have no religion - no name that I call myself - no set of rules to follow - but I believe in a God who comes from a place of love.

what it means is that we are tired of the religious right telling us that their god is the ONLY way to go.. Their god is a homophobic, lopsided, omniscient pretend man in the sky. Whatever happened to just living by the golden rule? Nobody wants to be forced to follow nutjobs who preach, more than they practice..

Because our american forefathers were not religious....quote..
.
""The day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the supreme being as his father in the womb of a virgin, will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter."
–Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, April 11, 1823

I am New Yorker currently living in Texas, and I'm more afraid of the religious extreme and illogical conservatives down here than the non-denominational Christian or atheists from the north. A lack or organized religion doesn't equate to more violence or amorality, nor does its presence promote the opposite. Perhaps we actually have more open-minded people, which is better all-around.

Former Catholic
Dallas, TX

Oh my, it means the recession is worse than I thought. When workers get laid off they say "I have no job". That people are saying "I have no religion" must mean that like every other Big Business corporate enterprise today, religions are laying off parishioners!

I think that the decrease in people that are interested in pursuing religion is due to the foothold that has been allowed by social conservatives in government. Many fundamentalists apparently believe that inserting religion into our government will lead to more people becoming involved in religion when in fact it is scaring people away from religion and causing distrust in our government.

The saddest part about this is that whether you believe in God or not, churches and religion can play an important part in the success of a society because it can serve as support to people who feel they are at the end of their rope. Now is when we need churches to stick to what God intended and get their noses out of government.

Jack,
That's the problem with the country religion is missing from the schools work place and in our lives , we need more religion in this country we need to bring prayer back into the schools or at least a minute of silence to pray to whomever you want. We need more religion in this country I think that is a big problem with the country we have put religion on the back burner

Religion, like pornaography, should be kept away from children until they are old enough to understand. A lot of religion is vulgar, manipulative, and just plain bad for anyone. It is possible 0 maybe even more likely – that a non-religious person can be both-moral and spiritual. We stopped putting our hard-earned money into the plate 5 years ago - it was the best descision I ever made.

Jack, I think most people have just gotten too busy for Religion.Maybe we shoulkd go back to the days when stores closed on sundays.

Americans have woken up and facing reality and taking matters into their own hands instead of looking into books that have been a great seller for thousand of years, a time when people didn't know how to read.

People used to say "I like religion, it's the God thing I have trouble with." Now, with religious leaders becoming increasingly disconnected to the people, that quip seems to have been reversed.

When your country says "in god we trust" more than anyone else but takes god out of the schools. When it allows obviously challenged women with 6 kids to have eight more or allows drug cartels to enter the country and kidnap hard working people (the list is long) you are bound to lose faith sooner or later. When all you see on CNN is the negative day after day when do people get to see the positives that come with having faith in god or their country? Maybe you and wolf could devote a minute or two every day to find something positive to say about America. I'm not American and I can think of enough to fill the spot for months.

Jack,
Religion is a very private personal choice. Our Founders gave us an absolute stone wall between church and state. We should restore that separation. Humans, in the name of their various religions, have done untold damage. They are still more than champing-at-the-bit to continue to do so. No thinking person would disclose their personal beliefs, if asked by an unknown person.
Just look at the listeners to the hate-monger radio hosts. They would all tell you they are very religious. Yeah, right! They have hate and wish for failure for all of us here in the U. S.
Maybe the non-believers are on to to something.

I stopped believing in 'Religion' years ago when I realized that 99.9% of all 'Religion' was simply a money grabbing scam.

I may consider going back to a 'Religion' if I could find one (JUST ONE) that was more interested in giving then taking.

My personal belief is YOU give when you can and others give to YOU when you need.

Find a religion that preaches that and I will be first in line to join. LOL

They are done with corrupt churches. They are looking for some real connections, spiritually, and have had enough with the mind control and stifling of grown that the "churches" normally direct. They are looking at meditation and real deeds of humanity as a guide, not institutions.

That Is a serious problem of "The Church"...
Most Americans, a large majority of young people, realize now that the Chuch is man made...
Is your faith what makes your religion...
If you think they're fairy tales like David from Montreal, writes...then you don't have any faith at all...
Therefore you don't believe in any type of religion, no matter what anyone tells you...
Is very easy to be convinced that everything is made up....
The burden of proof falls on "The Church", that's where they have failed miserably....
Faith is private and is within you...
Is very simple, either you have it or not..
Is a personal decision....

i think they are young, strong and were successful in every thing they did till present.

It means we're probably headed for some kind of major crisis to humble us all, and remind us that we are not as self-sufficient or in control of the universe as we arrogantly think we are.

(Roland/St George, UT)

Perhaps they just don't hold an affinity to any organized religion. I suspect that a grater number believe in GOD [as they perceive him/her] but that organized religion in general has distanced itself from the spiritual needs of many Americans. The major faiths should engage in a greater shared spirituality instead of adhering to individual dogma, some of which is over 1000 years old.
The old adage may apply, i.e. that if you're leading a parade, you have to look behind you occassionally to see if anyone is following

Perhaps the healing has begun. Although it will take many generations for such an insidious and addictive delusion to completely dissipate.

'Believing' is using a well-honed imagination to set parameters and boundaries for living
If I jump off a building, I will hit the ground.
Unlike religion, I don't have to believe in gravity for it to exist.

It means the Communist Party is succeeding in their 1963 goals. Some of their goals were to destroy the fabric of American society by destroying morality, religion and education through the schools, media and Hollywood. It's been working for a while, but now it's really coming to fruition.

It means people are getting wise to the unholy amount of crap perpetrated by, or in the name of, religion. It is not to say that people are less spiritual.

It means you can have compassion without needing a religion to prove it. More people are killed in the name of God than anything else. Far too many think believing in God means hating your enemies, when the opposite is what's needed. I love the story of Camelot, but I know it's just a magnificent legend. Forces of good and evil exist, and I still believe there is an author in the universe, but who, I can not say.

More Americans are educated.

Well, when someone claims that they have "no religion", then that just means that they don't believe in God or any higher deity for that matter. Or it could simply mean that they don't believe that God exists.

But I believe that Christianity is NOT a religion nor was it meant to be, because Jesus Christ is the only one that was courageous enough, man enough, and daring enough to sacrifice His own life on the cross of Calvary to redeem humanity from our iniquities.

When American's say they have no religion it does not imply that they have no ethics or morals. Many have become disenchanted with the seemingly empty promises of age old religions. Our society is a result driven which has created a major ridge between work and faith. Many religions promise results during the afterlife, but many people, like my self, are looking for results and happiness in the here and now. Consequently many have turned to help Guru's and the like settling for instant results that don't necessarily incorporate spiritual practice.

Most of them are in a 12 step program and believe in a Higher Power which eventually lead me back to the Lutheran church!!!

Come on Jack, even if we don't talk about the whole mess with the Catholic Priests, just what has God done for us in the last 2000 plus years?

Religion has had it's place in society to keep order and peace in most areas of the west. It's worked. But in a purely science way of thinking, is God believable? I think the bible is probably the greatest book ever written and in itself calms the beast within all of us. It's kind of like a text book to learn how to be a human! And it should be read. I believe it's author(s) were extremely intelligent .

But God? I believe if there were a God, he would smite Wall Street and the banks. Jesus walked through the temple during the Sabbath and tossed over the tables of the merchants. I think this Jesus knew how this would end up!

Money has corrupted just like "God" and "Jesus" said. Sounds like some guys who had seen this before!!!!! Science Jack, we got to get off this rock! Believe in Science! Would God want us to be stupid?

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Jack, I think you are misquoting that. It isn’t that they have no religion, is that they do not participate in organized religion. I believe that most people in this country have a spiritual core, but with many organized religions becoming homes for whack cases, those people no longer feel comfortable worshipping there.

I’m reminded of the lyrics of an old Peter, Paul, and Mary song from the 70s, I think: “Whereever two or more of you are gathered in His name, there is Love.” Many no longer identify with megachurchs, evangelicals who make millions then caught with their hands in the till or their pants down, and churches that prey on their children.

But I still believe that most believe in a Higher Being, loving their neighbors, and treating others as they would like to be treated. They just don’t make the news.

*self-help Guru's

Jack, your question is midleading. According to the survey, majority of Americans, that is 3 out of 4, have religions.

What does it mean? Well it mean that we're making progress as a culture and product of our country, the no nonsense church and state, both are becoming to that statement because money and the means to a meal are more consecrate then just going on about very, very old means to protest this growing population, Too many people, too little time, communication between church and state now lost when it no longer has a mass the size of our country to play too. i dont think religion can withstand in even piety the riseing price on our liberty.

But...If you ask if they believe in God most do. The fault lays in the bad conduct of the churches. which makes you not want to go to a organized church. After our government/states demands more than a third or better of our income for government programs. The church wants 10% which is supposed to take care of the church body so we have no needs Malachi 3:10-11. But actually goes to pay inflated wages/benefits, buildings, programs etc. And you are left about 50% of your wage to live on which you buy your needs that also has taxes added to your wants .
Who can afford religion...well a lot of us who actually believe.

Religion became so politicized under the last administration until people did not know where politics ended and religion began. Many are not so disillusioned with politics, they think it had something to do with their religion. This is what happens to a democracy when there is no separation of church and state.

It means that we are finally witnessing some growth in the spiritual evolution of humanity. Throughout the ages, culture’s have created religious maps to answer the mysteries of the universe and navigate the unknowable spiritual territory. Yet, we have mistaken the map for the territory, and kill in the name of God because the words, “love, compassion, and forgiveness,” are written in different languages.

Most of those who say, “I have no religion,” also pray and believe in some kind of ultimate truth. We are exposed to a myriad of maps, recognizing that none of them represent the ultimate truth — but are mere beacons to help us navigate the spiritual landscape. It is a sign of humanity’s progress when people say, “I’m spiritual, but not religious.”

I think it's a number of reasons – more people see the hypocrisy in religion and religious zealots and thus the Christian right has turned many people off to religion -throughout history so many wars have been caused by religion-more people think freely today and have rejected the status quo. Atheism is more prominent among educated, intellectual people who aren't afraid to think and question. Most of the founding fathers were not Christians, but rather, were Deists whose beliefs originated in the Enlightenment and John Locke and evolved to Unitarianism.

I truly believe that there is a vast difference these days between Religon and Christianity. I have been a Christian all of my 64 years. As a child I even baptized my pets. But, no I do not belong to a church. Somewhere along the way the churches have forgotten why they were put here and instead of teaching and helping their fellowmen they have become big businesses................more concerned with making money and controling their fellowmen and our government. Since when did our Creator give them authority to take away the freewill He gave us?

It means that the republicans who continue to pander to the extreme religious right do so at their peril. People are fed up with the evangelical hardliners who give religion a bad name by ignoring the actual teachings of the religion they claim and substitute a dogma of intolerance, whine that they are mistreated if the government does not foster thier narrow religious views, and make no attempt to hide their contempt for people who disagree with them. Moreover, I think that the truly religious are as fed up as those who profess no religion.

It means that a few more Americans are finally growing up and leaving their make believe fantasies behind.

Jack,

Religious people go to church every Sunday, because they think that will keep them out of hell. Spiritual people have already been there, and don't want to go back.

Jack, I am currently studying the sociology of religion at Georgia Southern University. In class we discuss the relationship between education and religion. As education increases religious belief decreases. This study seems to support that theory in that the least religious regions, Northern New England and the Pacific Northwest, are also the best educated.
Kyle
GSU

Less religious and church people, less confusion. It's about time for people to realize religion is nothing but personnal communication with the Great Creators: whoever that may be. Keep it personal and don't ever bring it up in discussion because God is not the solution, we People are.

It means that Americans now know the difference between 'religion' and 'spirituality'. They equate 'religion' to the made-made set of bureaucratic rules that are set up by a church. Spirituality speaks to people's relationship with their God.

It means that religious zealots and those who use religion to broadcast hate and bigotry have finally managed to pack 15% of American citizens on their ever expanding list of undesirables and outcasts. Religion is a beautiful thing until the human agenda is foisted upon it.

It means that profits have replaced prophets, and the 'In God We Trust' printed on our currency no longer holds an relevance. Unfortunately, consumerism has become the new religion of our time.

Tarek El-Messidi
Cincinnati, Ohio

Jack, it's not that I'm not religious. I'm just against people telling me how to pray. Haven't most wars been because one tells the other that you have to pray, and believe, this way, or else?

It means they can't afford the gas to go to church or maybe it means they're having trouble dealing with reality. Keep praying for the answer.

it means they are young, strong and were successful in every thing they did till present.

Pittsburgh, PA

Jack please read my answer live. When Americans say they have no religion, it means that they are not ideologues. Of course Americans believe in God. It's just that they don't cling to it.

Thank god.

It might not be the message, but the messengers. The message is of hope, of love, of mercy. Too many of the messengers are about their politics.

Spirituality seems to be "of the day". Organized religion is losing followers due to antiquated ideologies, in my humble opinion. I, for one, would find a place of worship a safe refuge, especially during these tough times. However, unless you are "welcomed", adhere to "rules" (beliefs, I think they are called) and pay up regarding the collection basket they do not want us. Perhaps the Catholics should look unto themselves for the obvious answers. Jews are definately losing out as there is so much against mixed marriages. same with catholics. I hope and pray we all believe in something other than selfish greed. It will take all of us to believe in Faith, Hope and Charity to get us through these trying times. Bush really hurt religion, as has the Religious Right.

It means that Americans have grown tired of and wise to the ways of organized religion. They all have one political agenda: get their beliefs inserted into our legal system. Our country would go to the dogma.

well im not religous never been to church but i do have to say this story is like the maggiage story. First they tell you that divorce at an all time high then when the rate drops they tell you the people are just stuck cuz they are broke it's what i call a win win for cnn no matter what the numbers say cnn will tell you they are write.I fell that you can make a poll say what you want it to say. For instance if i poll people in certyain areas of u.s.a alot of people may be religous if you call another community may be the oppisite knowing info like this includeing the age,race,sex,area of united states can get you the poll results that you desire. Im not saying all polls are wrong im am saying they exsist for the purpose of manipulateing you and people like jack,wolf,and cnn do just that.

It means it is Safer to admit non belief than it used to be. I'd be amazed if even 50% actually believe.

Jack, It's certainly nothing to worry about. I have a great relationship with God, while organized religion leaves me cold. I'm much more afraid of the wrath of the religious than the wrath of God.

Jack,
We Americans are embarrassed of the extreme right positions of the last 8 years of W. and Rush Limbaugh, Hannetty and Ann Coulter.
Look at the positions of the extreme right on a woman's choice, on trade and jobs, on capitolism greed on Wall Street, on tax breaks for the rich, on ending your life if your chronically ill, no drinking, no jewelry, no gambling. Need I say more....

Jack, I have one word that cannot be more appropriate in these times we are facing "IMAGINE" John Lennon said it best.

Do not confuse "no religion" with not believing in God. I was raised by the daughter of a Methodist Minister to believe in God and His Son, Jesus Christ. I always have and now more than ever, but for the longest time I had no religion. I belonged to no church. I disagreed with Chrisitan church dogma. For a while, I was a religious man with no religion. I think that's what a lot of people are. Religious with no religion. You don't need to belong to a church or to any religion to believe in God or to worship Him.

If someone were to ask me, I might reply that I have "no religion", but in reality I have no ORGANIZED religion. That does not prevent me from having religious beliefs of a sort.

The Christian fundamentalists seem to think that scientists don't believe in any "supreme power", but especially scientists will usually say that they believe there must be or have been some being or force behind the existance of everything.

Here's one for you... "God Created Evolution"!

Jack,

about education...I strongly believe in teachings kids about rights, freedoms and responsibilities since it is about the history of our society to learn to live by our values and our principles! I had the best teacher in creating a charter of rights, freedoms and responsibilities in moral classes with enriched experiences in getting how respect of these principles are difficult but worth it!

It appears now that America is on the way of leaving the religious abyss that has plauged civilization for the past 2000 years. Now let do something with this minority, as does the NRA lobby and the like. I feel a change a comming and it feels good.

Because religion is a scam. I've decided to cut out the corrupt middleman.

Who did you poll? No one every asks me what I believe! If this is true, then our world has sunk to another new low. How much lower can we go? At the rate our country is going it won't be too long before God says.... "I have had enough" and I could not blame him one bit!
I look forward to the promise of Eternal Life and being in a place that is too wonderful and perfect for us to imagine. The time here on earth is just a blip on the screen compared to Eternity with our Heavenly Father.

Virginia Hendrick Haddad
Monroe, LA

IT means that alot of us got away from the most important meaning of living. We all need a savior to believe in,that is way there is alot of pain and trouble in our world. Even if you have religion,that is not enough we all need a personal relationship with Jesus,Christians fell us but we are still humans and we all make mistakes.

I have no formal religion, but my morals are founded in christianity. I believe in doing unto other's as I would have them do to me. This simple rule has done well in guiding my life. I have a true respect for my fellow humans. In my exprerience people use religion as a shield to hide who they really are. Most religions want to punish us for our faults, not accept us for who we are. It a way to control people.

Dear Jack,

Are more people joining the Westboro Baptist Church? If more people are, that may be the reason why more people are saying they have no religion. It is churches and organizations like the Westboro Baptist Church that's turning more and more people away from religion.

I was raised Catholic but now I'm agnostic.

The religious right has equated being a Christian to being a Republican. The short term effect was to boost Republican votes. The longer term effect of telling 50% of the population that they aren't Christians is that a lot of those people started to agree.

I once saw a sign in front of a country church that said, "The love of God brings forth spiritual fruits, not religious nuts." Unfortunately, the fundamentalists – no less dangerous if they call themselves "Christian" than "Muslim" – who promote war, greed, racism, ignorance, and raping the planet, have given religion a bad name over the past thrirty years. Just look at Bush and Palin, for example! When I hear anyone in public life claim that he/she is a "born-again Christian" I crings and grab my wallet

Susan
Tuscaloosa, AL

It is satisfying that religion isn't being accepted with such blind devotion, however some form of faith in something greater than ourselves seems to be a better alternative.

Maybe if the hardcore religious(right wing) believers respected other peoples veiws of the world, instead of just their own,then just maybe they wouldn't be veiwed as crazy and hardline. I don't believe in a book that was written a thousand years ago, study some history most of christianity was taken from pagan religions and based off pagan beliefs. 90% of the Bible is stolen material that has been twisted and conformed into a pliable religion to sucker the masses of medieval Europe, I have no problem with other peoples beliefs, just other peoples ignorance and to the aetheists of this country that is what religion has come to personify.

Such a good sign. People are finally thinking rationally

it means Americans are becoming more educated

I means that we are finally evolving as a race and dropping the 2000 year old book club. Finally we are getting smarter!

Peace on Earth?

It means Americans are getting smarter.

This means people will be using their heads to vote and make policy instead of their imaginary friends'. All and all a good thing, don't you think?

Jack...It means we're all going to hell.

Jack,
I think it's obvious.... More people are finally thinking for themselves!!!

It means a better America

I think there is confusion over religion and faith. I am a Christian who has no faith in the current administration.

Obviously, a better country. It's an inevitability that people will realize religion is obsolete. All it religion has ever done for us is separate us.

cafferty,
it means we are continuing a slippage into socialist america. Socialism: yes Obama can!

It means that we may see an end to world war.

To me it means more and more people are growing up to make their own choices about religion. It seems in the past more people were grown into a certain religion through their parents and thankfully more people are able to make their own choices about religion after educating themselves and realizing the truth, that it's all fairy tale.

Maybe all Americans have found the way of the Force.

A move away from organized religion should not indicate a loss of faith in this country, rather, we should laud the move from mindless conformity toward an individualized approach to finding God in everyday life.

It means that we're getting smarter!! Finally! We can move on and leave the superstition, oppression, hatred, and bigotry behind us!!!

It means that more people are going to college.

WICCA

It means Americans are growing up.

Religious? I hope not, it interferes with my faith in Jesus and the God of the bible.

It means there might be some hope for you yet

Vancouver, BC

It means that as people are becoming more educated and our civilization advances, they are realizing the truth. Religion has done nothing but hurt us and this planet and it's about time people open their eyes: religion is a sign of weakness and a harmful mindset.

Jack....No Religion....less division! Simple and to the point.

It means that more Americans are rejecting dogma and indoctrination, and learning to think for themselves. This is a good thing.
Joseph P.
Albuquerque, NM

Religion - especially organized religion - is an assault on intelligence, usually a lie about the founders and their intentions, and a trick to control pocket books and behavior. It's time for religion to fade into history like Greek myths and the bipartisanship of George W Bush.

Jack, it simply means we are becoming more educated.

Look at history and learn. Religion is the ultimate reason for wars, treachery, terror, scientific regression, and downright genocide.
I'm not wise enough to know if there is a Creator, but I know also, no one else is. Please keep your beliefs in your pocket. I'm tired of being preached to.

Yes, I think that's right way: less religion and more real faith or more personal connection with God or Hihger Power.
I think it's much more beneficial spiritually and healtier to wallet too.

George W. Bush was guided by religion! Look where that got us. No wonder lots of people have chosen a different route.

It means that reason still has a chance.

It means IQ scores must be on the upswing.

It is nothing But a Good thing Jack! religion is nothing but Mass superstition

I see a direct comparison to the lowering education, higher crime, and lower morals in personal lives as well as political and business. No I am not for organized religion, but it does give people something to strive for, no just do for the sake of doing

That they are so disgusted with the way right wing evangelical nuts have being attempting to impose their extreme views on the rest of us by tearing down the wall between Churck and State and turning us into a theocratic dictatorship, like the Taliban. The thinking goes like this – if that is religion, then I don't want any part of it.

It means the United States is evolving

It means the same thing as the when you see the number of independents is increasing. People are starting to think for themselves rather than follow what they've been told their whole life.

It means we're finally getting into an age of some what critical thinking, enough so that we can reject crazy outdated superstitions that have NO bearing on reality nor ever should.

As a liberal arts education becomes more necessary and common in our country, religious affiliation will decline. I attempted the whole evangelical thing at my university during my first few semesters, but found it too hard to be a science major at the same time. Moderate interpretation of the bible is a nice moral compass, but I can't rely on it to solve every problem in today's world.

I for one say that I don't have a religion. The Lord gave laws and commandments not Religion. To me religion is nothing more than segregation and man created religion not GOD.

The gradual process of National enlightenment.

Maybe, just maybe, America is beginning to leave ancient superstitious beliefs behind and join the ranks of modern, civilized and enlightened countries. But I doubt it.

It means we are finally moving in the right direction as a country.

It means that we are slowly but surely growing up.

It means there may still be hope for a more enlightened nation...

Finding out that Americans are living without religion in their lives shows that our country is catching up with the rest of the modern world. I can't believe it has taken this long.

Where "bigger is always better," people get lost. Same thing...mega-churches! Most of us have faith and belief in a God but despise labels and power structures. Rest assured, most of us have a very personal relationship with our God...no matter what name she or he is given.

It means that the country is going to a place no one every thought it would go. The country will not necessarily be in worse shape, in fact it may be in better shape. But ultimately what is signals is the conflict between evangelical christians and others. We cannot allow radical evangelical fundamentalist to continue their message, it turns to many people off of christianity.

The increased rejection of traditional religions is not, as some might say, an indication of the moral decline of America, but rather is a positive sign that Americans are thinking more for themselves and relying less on some "cosmic babysitter" to take care of them.

It probably means that more people are exercising free thought and free will, not depending upon organized religion to dictate to them how to live.

It means Americans are getting smarter. Religion is the cause of more troubles than it's worth.

It means we have minds of our own.

We don't need Gold Encrusted Popes or Hateful Preachers telling us what we should believe in.

it worries me, as the basis for ethical moral behavior, for most people is religion. without religion, most people are more likely to do what they want at any moment, rather than what they think is 'right.' and i can't say i'm helping, as i'm not only religious, but don't really believe in god either ...

I see it as a maturing of intellect. Religion was created by and for ppl 2,000 yrs ago who were puzzled and frightened by the world around them. Science is slowly proving the old testament is a book of myths. To quote Jesse Ventura: religion is for the weak minded. It's never been more true! Religions have fed hypocricy more than any other source.

It means we are getting smarter.

Jack,
To me it means more people are begining to question and think for themselves....

It means Americans coming to their senses. We're finally beginning to realize that dogma and stories can't make the world a better place and it is OKAY to say so.

It means that Americans are becoming more intelligent.

The day I might start believing is when god sends me a check, whatever amount, that I can cash at Bank of America.

Nothing's wrong with religion, Jack, but less organized religion means America is thinking simpler, something our government should do.

It's as simple as can be. It means orgainized religion is no longer relevant to our survival. For the most part religion has halted our spiritual evolution and keep the world at WAR!

It means we are becoming a more rational nation. We are rejecting superstion and magical thinking. And thinking for ourselves!

It means that American’s are waking up to the shortcomings of religion and the advantages of rational thought. Information, science and logic are finally starting to win.

Having no religion does not make you an evil person, it means that you’re reflective and like rational well-thought out answers.

It means that more Americans are beginning to think for themselves. Accepting what someone dictates to you from a book without questioning and thinking makes you just another lifeless drone. Instead of simply filling the mold, Americans are beginning to realize they don't have to.

It means there's finally some hope for America. Now it only remains for some of our politicians to put aside hypocrisy and join the agnostics —beginning with our new president.

William
Madrid, Spain

Education finally shows his purpose

Amsterdam Netherlands

Nothing has changed, it's just that more people are being honest about not being religious. The percentage will go higher, when many of the people who claim to have a religion, actually realize that they don't really know anything about the religion they claim they are

All religion is man made- that is why we have so many different beliefs and denominations. Some people prefer to have a spiritual and personal relationship with God that eliminates the middle man – like the preacher/rabbi/priest etc.

i fall into what is probably much greater than the 15% of the population that claims no religious preferences. I feel that as people become comfortable with who they are they become more comfortable with their doubts as well as their faiths and when you reach The Middle Path you find much less resistance and an easier life that isn't focused on the differences between people but the commonalities between human beings.

It means that they are godless, and living their life according to their own conscience and whim. It means they are without God.

For me, that would be akin to death, as I am a born-again Christian believer and know that my enjoyment in life has increased exponentially since I met Jesus Christ. Come on board all who are weary and heavy-laden and He will give you rest!

I believe it means that those of us who know the God of The Holy Bible and love Him have not been the "letters" God's Word would have us be. If we look exactly like the world, what difference is there to see? And based on the religious rhetoric that comes from many pulpits in the USA - rhetoric which is NOT Biblically accurate, I'm glad people aren't engaging. That just means there will be less junk for The Lord to overcome when they do turn to Him.

More people are becoming Atheist, They should be more accepted into society. Some states, such as the Arkansas constitution require you have a belief in a higher being. Doesn't that break the 1st Amendment of Freedom of Religion? And From it?

Less religion is better in the long run, meaning less wars and less fanatisicm in society. Religion has killed more people than all wars put together and still does, it is nothing but hindrance human progess !

Hi Jack,

I think that it means that human beings are finally evolving into intelligent life forms! Hooray!

That is a good part of the reason our country has been going down the drain the past years. Greed and corruption and selfishness have led to this mess. If ever, we need people to have faith and trust in this country Now. Can anyone disagree???

I believe President Obama is doing things based on his true christian values. What a change..................................

Jack Americans steering away from organized religion can mean only one thing. "Americans are finally evolving".

Sincerely Uno

Jack, I think it is a good thing people put so much faith in and base so many decisions on mythology is just scary in my opinion, these mythologies served as a means for control and maintaining law and order when they were created 2000 years ago and have been the cause of more deaths than anything in history. i have to say its about time to let it go!

Doug
Tampa ,Fl.

It means that most Americans are finally coming to their senses Jack! Organized religion has been the leading cause of almost every war the world has ever seen. Talk about irony, the one thing that was created to save humanity is the one thing that will end humanity. I say the more people realize that leading their lives based upon an invisible creator is ridiculous, the better off we'll all be!

What it means is that more Americans are able to think for themselves. They no longer require an organized religion to tell them what their morals are. That's not to say that Americans are any less "spiritual". I think maybe they should ask that question next time.

The more we Americans are exposed to scientific truth, the less room there is for religious mysticism. Religion is antithetical to reason. Islamic and Christian fundamentalism have done more to expose the folly of blind faith than the most articulate atheist.

Jack,

It means the religious right has had a deleterious effect on Americans perception about religion. If they had sticked to their pulpits instead of straying into politics, the statistics would have read much more favorable.

Manitowoc, WI

Having "no religion" is people finally coming to their senses that advocating one dogma against another has been the root of almost every conflict in human history – and it's stupid. You can be spiritual without being religious – and do we really need the prospect of Hell to keep us from acting like jerks? Doesn't seem to work anyway. Perhaps we're finally becoming enlightened. Let's hope.

The age of information we live in directly contributes to people asking questions. Questions that traditional regligioins gave answers to that were accepted blindly. In additon, our society is certainly more open to individual expression which includes individuals not following the status quo when it comes to choosing their faith.

Spirituality and faith don't always carry labels. Some chose not to label themselves which could group them together with those evangelical folks who are very adamant about their views.

Whatever people in America feel like practicing, who cares? As long as it makes them happy. How about we focus on the suffering of American people instead of what they do on Sunday morning.

Society is evolving.

No religion means a rejection of the concept of organized religion. It may include atheists or theists, but increasingly, ones spiritual beliefs are becoming personal, not driven my some doctrine. Much of what people believe and call religion has become silly at best and dangerous at it's worst.

Hi Jack....No religion, no division. Plain and simple.

It means that people are finally starting to wake up. We don't want to live in the matrix any longer. We are willing to accept that the world might actually be as it appears.

Chuck,
Valencia, California

I think it means more Americans are being honest with themselves. At some point, America has to grow up. Bronze Age belief systems only help so much.

Seems to me it means that the parents are doing a lousy job when it comes to raising their kids. I think this also shows up in their willingness to accept responsibility. Wake up parents, it's not enough just to feed and clothe your children. There are more important things than the labels on their clothes and the toys they have.

Religions are just a way to keep the people of the Earth separated.

Money is our god. Dems want it, Gops have it and say it takes remarkably like chicken. Go money!

Brunswick,MD

I think people are just feeling less pressure to conform to traditions in general.

I think its great-and long overdue-Maybe there IS hope for America after all!
All my life I've seen organized religious groups and their followers hold back progress in so many vital areas of science and culture.Now I'm not against people belonging to an organized religion,but I resent their influence on American culture and on the rest of us who DONT share their beliefs.

It means that people are finally getting it. Giving up superstition and relying on themselves. It's about time. Now if only we atheists had some representation in the U.S. Congress and if more people had the nerve to say they were atheists and not the fuzzy "agnostic" or "believe in a higher power". Really?

Brenda
New York

What does it mean? It means" oh god if there is one, save my sole if I have one" and the hell with everything else.

There is a God! Jack Cafferty? My God, is my Mentor. No not you Jack.
Mine is Fiction. You?
You may ride out into the sunset. But still no wiser.

Mine, is my Muse! Yes strange she is a Female.

I think it is not important that people say they "have no religion". All that is important is that people behave morally. I am a Catholic but disagree with a lot of the Catholic doctrine, so some of my fellow Catholics say I have "no religion". I have atheist friends that are totally moral. Perhaps they are more moral than us religious folks because they have no fear of some devil with a pitchfork tormenting them for eternity and yet they understand how to "do the right thing".

Don't harm others except in self-defense or defense of others, and help those who need help when you can. If you do that, you can skip church and religion (in my opinion) because it is mostly "fluff".

Christian Haerle

Jack, it means nothing. I could care less who or what people worship as long as they are not hurting anyone. Some idiots on here are going to post that they have lost their faith because of religious leaders, and blah, blah, blah. These people are simpletons. I am not religious, but I do not think any less of someone who is. I worship the constitution.

It means that 15% of americans won't be using a common term I am sure you cannot say on TV to describe this fiscal crisis that is what it means! I would be thinking that religion rates would be going up in our times. everyone needs a shoulder to cry on after all.

it means finally they "see the light" its a comfort not an absolute, Bill Maher has it right in"Religious" NOBODY KNOWS yet it affects EVERYTHING, AND NOT FOR THE BETTER IN ALOT OF AREAS.

Jack,
I'm a vietnam veteran,and I was the atheist in the fox hole.
how can anyone believe in a god that allows young men and women to die needlessly in an unnecesary war.
religious zealots arethe cause of most of the worlds problems.

The American people are finally starting to grow up. No more fairy tales, and no more illusions.

The religious right will doubtlessly blame the media and popular culture, rather than examining how their militant and meddlesome ways are turning off people from God. Time for them to get back to Christ's principles of love, tolerance and a hatred of greed.

- Christine B.
Sherman Oaks, CA

More and more people seem to be focusing on things that actually make themselves more secure financially and such. Maybe more and more people are realizing flaws in religion? It's not like we have it figured out. At that, people might simply have lost interest in trying to find a truth unable to be found.

I think this means more people are accepting free, logical thinking as opposed to a religion we've been told we must follow from cradle to grave. Religious figureheads claim we get our morals from the bible, but what they're really saying is we would all be a bunch of crooks and murderers without an ancient (and man-written) book telling us not to. But if we really do get our morals from the bible, why does the VAST majority of prisoners in the country consist of Christians, while very few athiests are incarcerated?

well i think it simply means that they are finding god on there own. personally i feel closure to god ever since i started believing that none of the religions we have in this world have it completely right.

I believe it may mean we've found a huge contributing factor to the constant lowering of moral standards...Sodom & Gamoraha sound familiiar? Without an integrated belief system...faith...there seems nothing to lose...so why not? God help us all!!

It means that sanity is beginning to replace the brain-washed haze that religion has held the human mind in for way too long. Americans have been looking harder at religion since 9/11 and now are realizing that religion dogma just doesn't make sense anymore.

Jack it means that the bible prophecy is being fullfilled. The Bible speaks about people will turn away from God right before he comes back. Also too many evenglicals are prejudice, mean, judgemental and ignorant. People leave religion because of people in the church but they don't necessary leave Jesus and their belief in him.

WOW! I think it means we are in a lot trouble. Everyone should have some type of religion in there life. Even a pray every night would help. But that's why this country is so great, because you get that choice.

Spirituality and religious organizations are not one and the same. You can be a spiritual person without believing in the rules and contraints within specific religions. The hypocracy and radical views on the rise within organized religions is driving people away, but just because someone claims themselves as not having a religion, does not mean they are evil or have terrible moral values. This is a misconception that I receive all the time for not following a religion although I consider myself spiritual.

It means that more people are using common sense and less are being scared into believing in something that there is no basis for.

Jack:

I think that people are leaving organized religion and becoming more "spiritual" rather than traditionally religious. This only means that the 2000 year old definitions of God are no longer applicable and that people believe they can find God without having to go through a church or a priest. People now find God in nature or through introspection. I think if religion could evolve, you may find people becoming more 'religious." There are community benefits of being religious but without a God that can make sense in the 21st century, people will opt to find God on their own.

Devin, Boston, MA

Well Jack it means this nation is finnaly growing up. When will this nation realize that it's religion that divides us, creates and esculates war, death, poverty and starvation. Let's all have a revelation and take stock in the human race... in the here and now. Can I get an amen?

Jack, it means we are finally starting to realize how silly organized religion actually is.

We are finally coming out of the dark ages.
so I can finally put away my voodoo doll.

Imagine all the things we could've discovered and accomplished if there were less wasted time because of religion.

Well according to what organized religion would have us believe, this clearly means that more Americans than ever are destined for hell, and not to mention that Armageddon and then the Rapture are right around the corner...

It couldn't possibly just mean that Americans are now more focused on their work and on safeguarding their economic future, to spend as much time as they could before on pondering their spiritual salvation... could it?

Jack,a man without religion ie religion which means anything worshipable,it could be stone,fire,thunder,animal,water and tree,is like salt without taste.

Religion has proven to be one of the most divisive creations in human history. More people have died in the name of religion and it limits the true potential of human beings. If we aren't hampered by the barrier of who's God is the "true God", it will be a huge step forward in accepting tolerance in others instead of rejecting them for being different. In all honesty, we are all looking for the same thing, but the presence of religion clouds the goal of being more connected to a higher power. Instead it widens the gap of that connection.

Hopefully this is the beginning of religion stepping out of politics and the laws that govern the United States. I believe the increase in Evangelical Christians has finally shown Americans what happens when religion goes too far in the public sector. Hopefully this will lead to the United States actually becoming the secular nation our forefathers envisioned.

Jack,

It simply means that more and more of us are embracing the diversity of mankind with a more humanistic conceptual theory than that of an idealogical religious based theory.

My husband often reminds me of the many wars that have been fought over religion in this world. I then have to queston which of the prophets encouraged war on mankind versus the love of one another.

Sharon for South Carolina

It means that American's are progressing and evolving. Organized religion has been the basis of just about every war in the history of man kind. It's done far more bad than good. Spirituality is personal and does not have to be defined by your Pope, Rabbi, Priest or parents. As humans evolve organized religion will become less and less relevant and personal spirituality will be the guiding principle... and that by the way can carry many of the familiar values from organized religion, but hopefully not all the hypocrisy and baggage.

I'm hoping this means that we as humans are stepping towards true enlightenment: that we, ourselves and each other, are all we have. And that's why we should aim to do the right thing, not for a "heavenly reward."

Jack,
All this means is that the liberal agenda has finally got its' way. Now American values will dissipate, and things are only going to get even worse.

It just means people are actually thinking for themselves ( instead of their parents ) and realizing that religion is actually a antiquated and destructive force of humanity and is no longer needed.

Losing you're religion is a sign of intelligents.

Anis Benhayyoun Amsterdam The Netherlands

Heaven may have fewer overweight angels...

It means that people are starting to think more for themselves and use the brain that the reliigious right wants to brainwash. More people are using their brain to figure out our world and lives based on real, science-supported information.

Less religion is better in the long run, meaning less wars and less fanatisicm in society. Religion has killed more people than all wars put together and still does, it is nothing but a hindrance to human progess !

American's are rejecting organized religion in favor of spirtuality. I think it is ironic that the evangelical christians say that God gave us free will but then reject any attempt by followers to think for themselves. As a former "evangelical" I believe my relationship with God is personal and shouldn't require a political affilation or agenda. IF they wanted more converts they should practice what they preach...you know things like "judge not lest ye be judged'...etc.

So many use religion as a pedestal from which they can look down onto others and defend a narrow-minded viewpoint with the only answer to a question being "because that's what the bible says". I can only hope these studies mean we're coming to an age of reason where religious fanaticism will no long be the driving force behind every decision.

Americans are starting to realize that all these organized religions that are sure they have the only correct answer are wrong. It is the globalization of religion.

I'm in my twenties and there's only one person in the 100 friends of mine on facebook who attend church at all. More and more people are making decisions for themselves instead of letting it up to chance by placing their lives in "god's" hands. Could this be the era of personal responsibility the religious ideologues have been waiting for?

Jason in Phoenix, AZ

Count me in as one of them. I was a Catholic for the first 15 years of my life, but after listening to one particular "holier-than-thou" CCD teacher constantly complain about Roe v. Wade and gay marriage, saying we couldn't support Obama or Hillary... I had enough. Lessons of helping the poor and the disadvantaged morphed into discrimination and self interest.
If religious people think this is a concern, they ought to look at themselves in the mirror and rethink their message.

There's a difference between religion and spirituality. The "practice" of religion has become a con game. People who are spiritual recognize this. Organized religion has become synonymous to our day of capitolism...corrupt.

I'm Roman Catholic, and to hear that there are more Americans with no religion is unbelievable. But what does it mean from the organized religion's perspective? For my case, Christianity and Roman Catholicism needs to take a more loving and moderate approach to welcoming new members. With no disrespect to Christianity, there are street evangelists out there who can say that even Catholics and Christians will go to an underworld ("Hell") if we walk with one shoe lace untied. Whatever happened to "love thy neighbor as thyself"? So what does this mean? Organized religion needs major "personality reform" and begin "loving" each other again.

think people are just feeling less pressure to conform to traditions in general.

Apostasy! and you know what comes next Jack. It's amazing, God did say he would destroy the web of nations, did he not? I think our banking system is pretty much history. Just look at our world today Jack. Some fool in Japan comes up with a video game that teaches kid's to rape girls. I think the Second Coming of our Lord is under way...have a great day Jack. I really do like the show. Tell Wolfe keep it up...

Modern times demand more proof than ideology. Hardships and crazy zealots pushing their beliefs on people (see the Republicans and Al-Qaeda) make it very difficult to have any religion in day-to-day life. There's a difference between breaking to rigid archaic rules and avoiding doing anything to another life that is flat out wrong.

Jack, if this means that more Americans are using REASON to define there place in this world, GREAT! Maybe the religious community in response will need to become more inclusive and begin to seek truth rather than arrogantly act as if they are truth no matter what and then shove it down the throats of the rest of us.

Kerry

Oakland, CA

It is a sound rejection of the excesses for the Moral Majority and the shameless exploitation of religion by ambitious and power-hungry politicians.

It means that rationality is seeping into the populace and that we might finally be able to let go of these ancient superstitions and arcane beliefs. Honestly Jack, if religion had its way, the Earth would still be flat, the Renaissance would not have taken place and the general public would be an easily duped mass, barely aware of the world around them....Oh, wait....I guess we're still working on that last one...

Jack it means that we are becoming a more secular nation ...and many people like myself do believe in God but do not consider themselves religious .

Maybe Americans are learning the way of the Force.

After the religious rights rightiousness, who could consider Christianity as anything but hatred. .

...Charles (Tulsa, Oklahoma)

It means there is hope for our country-finally. Also I would bet the numbers are higher than what you see. We non-believers spend most of our lives in the closet with gays. To me there are two kinds of people in the world.-non believers and non thinkers.

I hope it means that more people are growing up and not clinging to the fairy tales and fear that have caused so much pain and destruction throughout history.

If believing in right or wrong is religious, I am. If believing in a particular religion, I have done. Almost all religions from Moslem, Jews and Catholics, have failed their people. No religion should support war or illegal sexual acts. I feel sorry for these religions and the people who continue to support them. Jack/IL

I used to go to an Evangelical Bible church, but during the Bush era, things just seemed to change. I was no longer comfortable, I heard hatred, divisiveness, and fear mongering, even if all of it was not overt, it was there and this just left me feeling like this was not what God and Jesus intended. Frankly, I think the right wing Evangelicals are truly turning "cultish". They blindly follow their leaders, even into ugliness, and never seem to question any of it. Simply because they fear the consequences, if they do. Sadly, this falls into the definition of a true cult, and I want no part of it. I am more spiritual than ever, but will not step foot in the church.

Dana in Rogue River, Oregon, home to 23 churches w/ a population of less than 1500.

It means that Americans are opening their eyes and their minds and admitting that believing in such a thing that has no evidence or proof of existing is the same as believing in the tooth fairy.

I considered my self a religious person until Bush got into office and showed me how much damage religion can cause, I think people are ashamed to say they are religious now. I still believe in God but have a real prejudice against evangelicals.

Jack, religiosity and education usually exist inversely in relation to one another. The more we understand about our lives and our universe, the more we divest ourselves of religion. More and more, people are allowing science to light the way. This doesn't mean that folks are no longer spiritual. Maybe they're just exploring their spirituality on a more personal level and sloughing off organized religion. Remember, there was a time when the Church beheaded Giordano Bruno for saying that the earth circled the sun. Bruno was right.

Maybe the media is partially to blame regarding declining religion. Maybe if we saw a story that made us feel good, instead of death, and mayhem, we might be more inclined to think that there was a gracious and generous God. Right now all I think is how could there be a God that lets all this bad stuff happen. He or She is sure acting mysterious these days!

Jack, Maybe people are seeing the hyprocrisy in religion. The fact that politics has been taken over by right wing religious head hunters, who leaders stand in front of pulpits and tell congregations who and who not to vote for. Why don't we reconsider the tax exemption laws for these followers that have so much political voice? Maybe it would put a dent in our deflated economy.

The decline in the number of Americans who are practicing members of an organized religion simply shows that the forces of reason, logic, and common sense are slowly overcoming the archaic dogmas of blind faith and superstition. It is also not a conflict to believe in God, yet not identify with a religious group. I think that more Americans are realizing that religions are created by human beings, not by God. As a mere mortal, it is beyond my ability to fully comprehend what or who God is. And, it would be supreme arrogance to suppose that I, or anyone else could speak for Him/Her/It...whichever the case may be. By the way, atheists are every bit as arrogant in their beliefs as are religious zealots. A thinking person will always choose to be an agnostic.

Would someone please explain why one has to go to a church to be spiritual? I wake up and pray to my higher power, while I'm in the car I talk to him/her. And I don't have to worry about being excommunicated from my spirituality if my 9 year old daughter gets raped by some idiot, becomes pregnant and needs an abortion if I should do the right thing. Tough decision, right Jack?

all i know is "religion" is the main pillar of your! life! it carves the main paths of your evry day life--the way you walk, talk, make decisions--is definitely guided by your relegious beleifs–

sort of makes you wonder if john lennon had it right.

science and religion are at war................science is winning.............thank god.. no pun intended.
the big three organized religions represent the idocy and hypocracy lurking in all of us 911 ....the priest scandal involving children.
most people are starting to see through all of this and as with most other things such as an ineffective gov. are fed up.
stem cell research...........abortion the list go's on and on.
church needs to stay there in church. maybe people would start showing up again...... probobly not.
its abot time we started thinking for ourselves and being a little more prygmatic and free thinking.....
george
chester,ct.

That Americans are falling away from organized religion means several things. For some, it's a sign that they live in modern times, not antiquity. Others realize how flawed and self serving the human beings running their religious organizations are. Some prefer to embrace the spirit of religion. That has no borders, no rituals and no enemies – only ethics and a belief in individual moral standards. Then of course there are the rest – you know, those who only worship the almighty dollar?

Jack, If the economy continues to tank, we will all find a little religion, I'm sure.

Jack,

Hearing this only confirms that this nation is in a down whirl spiral straight down the drain.

It means that while we may believe in God, or a Higher Power, or whatever you choose to call him/her, less people believe in the dogma of organized religion. Organized religion is, for the most part, out of step with modern society. Most young women today use birth control, live with their potential spouses before making a decision on a life-time marriage, as any responsible young adult should. These are things condemned by organized religion and to practice the organized form of your religion is to be hypocrite, pretending to believe a dogma that you do not follow. Therefore, many are leaving the "church" behind and forming their own idea of who and what God is and saying their prayers at night in the privacy of their own homes. I say, good for you. This is no longer the stone age. Organized religion needs a reality check up from the neck up. The politics of "exclusion" will no longer work in this society. Only an organized religion that decides to preach "inclusion" and actually practice the tolerance that they preach will survive in the 21st century.

Jack. We create thoughts, i,e God & delusions of Religious belief with our BRAINS.
Schizophrenics also believe in imaginary friends. No religion simply means Americans are becoming saner, rejecting intellect stagnating belief in Imaginary friend aka god & other supersititons. We are in the 21st Century not the 12th. Calpurnpiso. Chandler Arizona

Being ultra conservative and religous is counterproductive to a burgeoning evolving society. The increasing number of independants/democrats and the rise of those who claim no religion means education, science, and common sense are finally making their mark. Organized religion is nothing but an extra curricular activity.

Jack, I'm a non-denominational Christian, and find a lot of todays "Christians" hard to take seriously. Christianity is not a religion, it's a relationship. A lot of people are saying religion is causing discrimination. But to be honest, any sort of oddity, or difference will always be discriminated against. No it's not right but this is the way our planet runs. No religion, in my opinion is ignoring the truth, now don't get me wrong I completely respect everyone's believes, but don't agree with "atheists" just because all the alleged atheists Iv talked to, really can't tell me why they're atheists.

That means being in a diverse nation such as ours enlightened these people to look over the religious doctrines and work together with other people with different religions for a common goal. Religion acts as a barrier for progress and unity. It creates hatred, just look at those people last year that emphasized they will not vote for Obama simply because they thought he was muslim!!

It means that Americans are finally realizing that Christian Fundamentalists are only a problem because the Fundamentals of Christianity are a problem. It means a return to logic, science, and honest discussion about tough ethical issues that isn't bogged down in absurd supernaturalist claims that are based on ignorance and superstition. It means, in short, that America is on the right track. Heres to hoping that other 85% pick up Richard Dawkins' bestseller "The God Delusion".

It means that the consistent attacks on Christianity have successfully convinced more people that they do not need religion. We are becoming our own god... at our peril.

Curtis Wampler
Udall, KS

Simple: It means FINALLY Americans are waking up! Thank you Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Bill Maher and Sam Harris for making believing in things that are supported by evidence and facts, not intuitions and strong personal convictions – respectable again. Peer pressure and stigma have long kept those with Atheist beliefs in the closet. A new wave of anti-theists, in the vain of Lincoln, Edison, Franklin, Adams and Thomas Payne are restoring sense to this misguided nation. Obama just pushed stem cell research back into the fold. Now, if he'd only just come out himself and admit what his mother knew, believing in a personal god is unsupported, unrealistic and unnecessary.

Too much press has been given to Evangelical and Catholic Christians. There is a progressive Christian movement within churches which speaks to "spiritual but not relgious" people today. I wish more emphasis would be given to this movement, and then maybe people would find a faith community they can love.

The less religion the better. As one example, imagine the Middles East without religious differences.

I'm not sure what it means, but I do wonder if the decline in religion and the seeming need of people to seek more government intervention are related. In other words, as people turn less to religion, they may be turning more to government as their savior.

More people are starting to think for themselves and question the legitimacy of man-made religions. I also think many of us are tired of the hypocrisy of many so-called religious people. A decline in religion may also be precipitated by people realizing that they are spending all of their "life" focusing on the "afterlife". We're all going to the same place when this life is over, so enjoy it while you can.

I used to have more respect for religion. However, it occurred to me sometime back how many people have died in the name of God. Not any particular God, all of the Gods. It always comes down to my God is better than your God. Religion is more dangerous than cancer, heart attacks and fast moving buses.

Seriously, How many have died since the beginning of time in the name of God?

Well when you have these religous wing nuts, using god's name for hate, for gays, abortion, 9/11, blacks and everything else. And there being caught for being gay or having affairs while married.
Mexico is being told by the pope, dont use condoms, but there are children living in tent and starving ther, most know thats NOT what god wants.

Why would people want to join there god club?

I think most people like me believe in a god, like me. but wont go to a church to be told what god loves and hates like there on the phone with him and actually speak for him.

If these people would clean up there own life, back off gays and others I think most would be open to god and church, it's 2010 our god does not teach hate, as long as churches and the pope does ameircan will keep getting turned off.

Mark M
San Francisco Ca

It means that people are finally coming to their senses and shunning the idea of a fictitious supreme being and all the hate and intolerance caused by the "worship" of such an idea. When mankind finally moves civilization forward with it's best interests in mind instead of superstitions we all will benefit.

GJB,

Hebron, CT.

I don't think there are more or less religious people. I think the nonreligious ones feel more comfortable admitting it now. Remember – an agnostic is really an athiest that doesn't want to admit it.

Great News! What does it mean? It means finally humanity has realized whether or not there's an "afterlive" doing the right thing, being a good, decent, honest person of integrity, respecting all people and doing our best every day is what's important and it feels good. It also means fewer wars - most wars are fought over religion, land or . . . .let me think. . .what is it? . . . . oh yes. . . . OIL.

less religion and more personal relationship with God in privacy is the answer

It's that more and more Americans are finding loopholes and flaws in the traditional religions. They seem more like political groups with their own agendas, than holy figures doing God's bidding. When we see major religions contradicting themselves on important issues, we start to decide for ourselves what is good for us.

americans desire intelligence in what they believe... when one in three christians are screaming intelligent design and a close minded approach where their god condemns anyone who doesn't believe what they do, those claiming to be religous will continue to decline as those representatives of christianity rise.

The evengelical movement which has diverted it's efforts from soul saving to politics, and attempts to force others to accept their own personal, warped, morals, has turned people off to religion. I know it worked on me. When someone says, "I'm a christian and I believe...my mind goes somewhere else. I think, Get a life, for Christ's sake!.

It means that sanity is beginning to replace the brain-washed haze that religion has held the human mind in for way too long. Americans have been looking harder at religion since 9/11 and now are realizing that religion dogma just doesn’t make sense anymore.

Traditionally, all religions have controlled information about themselves and the doings of the leadership. In the age of mass education and wisespread information outlets, Naughty no-nos can't be hidden easily or permanently. We, the followers, see the petty, cruel and sensless things that are done in the name of God that they can do, but the rest of us would be enternally punished for doing. Who really imagines a just creator endorsing a leadership that says "do as I say not as I do?"

Jack;
I think that we who claim no religion have reached the conclusion that religions don't support a belief in God, but are arranged to further the agendas of the religious leaders. It is not that those of us who have no religion don't believe in God, but that we distrust religions. How can a religion be "the one true church"? Are all others doomed because they believe just as strongly in their religion? Evangelists in particular seem to be determined to forced the entire country to conform to their beliefs. Somewhat like the Islamists.

Based on the comments posted before this, I believe that it means that many Americans are buying into a lie that religion is bad. As a result, those people will justify that it is okay not to "have a religion." True faith and relationship with God is not about the religious wars and political churches one might see. But since that is the extent that some people are looking, which is very shallow, that is all they are going to see. God tells us that we will find him if we "look for him with all your heart and with all your soul (Deut. 4:29)." It seems that Americans are no longer truly looking for God.

Because more Americans are becoming enlightened! Religion has nothing to do with God nowadays but what MAN dictates God says...hey, ask the Republican Party. There use to be a time when God said Black people were cursed and hence the devil, justifying slavery. Im glad that more americans say they have no religion. It says God is the center of their spiritual relationship than MAN.

Saint Cloud
Florida

Where was this poll conducted? Certainly they did NOT speak to the nutcases who send me various and sundry emails every day about God, Angels, visions of heaven, warnings about the godlessness of America, and telling me of their 'revelations' or 'epiphanies'!

Maybe the folks who still have religion are too busy ramming it down other people's throats to answer a poll question!

Get it with it people. The world is going to Hell. Everyone thought they had control. See how little we have and how much we will lose. Beg God for forgiveness and get some morals back into the country. Perhaps things will then improve. But the selfish brats we have become it seems only fitting God's wrath will prevail. rose

It means that we are maturing.

American's do have a religion that they believe in.......the United States Constitution..........its pretty sad because law books won't send you to heaven..........but your Holy Book might. Americans need to turn back to their religion because it might help to decline the divorce rates in America, foreclosures, money problems, and sex problems.

The decline in peoples faith is the cause of so many people feeling null and void. "Trusting in God" was the foundation in which America was founded upon and we've taken God out of everything we do, and as a result it has left a sour taste in the mouth of Americans. The percentage of people who said they have no religion clearly shows that many don't understand the difference between religion and relationship. Trusting God is spiritual and not tradional motions. We must get back to having a relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ.

Starkville, Mississippi

We've had the separation of Church and State.

Now what is need is a separation of Moralilty from Religion.

If a common Morality could become the new Religion, then perhaps where you pray, if you pray, or who you pray to would become less and less relevant and perhps reduce the number of wars fought over it.

I believe it shows that the human brain is slowly evolving from the dark ages into the 21st century. The fundamentalists will fight this evolution tooth and nail until the very end.

Personally, there is a difference between the term "religion" and "spirituality". As a teenager who is spiritual, the term religion causes a sharp divisiveness due to figureheads and stereotypical images of those who attend frequent mass. Your question is not a statement of more becoming Athiestic of what have you. More and more Americans are either trying to find this spiritual aesthetic themselves or are drawing themselves away from religion in general to focus on the contemporary troubles that ails us all.

and has only been a plague on humanity for thousands of years

I think people are fed up with the churches putting beliefs where they shouldnt even be mentioned. Domestic Policy, Foreign Policy, and especially the big one, Politics. People like Ted Haggard who had weekly calls to the our own president obviously forgot and dismissed the fact of "Seperation of church and state." People realize now, that the church is forcing its beliefs on a country who want to think on their OWN. I'm 17 and my life has shown me that religion has become corrupt and not based off its original ideals.

This is only a problem for the Christians.

It is the human condition to hold a religion; what we do everyday. Americans have abandoned the old religions of compassion, and replaced it with the mutual fund/gold necklace/SUV religion.
(Did you notice all the poor people, in Elkon, lining up for food, inside their brand-new SUVs?)
This is an off-world, religion, heading toward a dead-end.

Brian

This reflects a growing tendency for Americans to identify themselves as "spiritual" but not "religious." This is in part an instance of individuals wanting to define themselves rather than allow religious leaders and congregations to define them. Ultimately spirituality is about one's own understanding of "God" and "reality" anyway. And you can sleep in on Sunday.

So-called "evangelicals" do precious LITTLE evangelizing - which is spreading the gospel. They are too dedicated to unbiblical agendas that seek to destroy valuable personal liberties of tens of millions of people, to take time to carry out Jesus' "Great Commission." So it's no wonder that non-Christians, in the face of all that high-profile hypocrisy and intolerance, would rather attend a rat fight than have anything to do with becoming religious. Ergo, America is becoming less Christian - and the so-called "Christian" Right probably deserves much of the blame for that.

–Craig, in Evansdale, Iowa

American’s do have a religion that they believe in…….they believe in the United States Constitution only……….its pretty sad because law books won’t send you to heaven……….but your Holy Book might. Americans need to turn back to their religion because it might help to decline the divorce rates in America, foreclosures, money problems, and sex problems.

We see more and more hate and intolerance spewed from the mouths and actions of the extreme religious right every day. When the group that claims to follow Christian beliefs to the letter strays so far from the love and tolerance preached by Christ, is it really any wonder that the number of people disconnecting themselves from those hypocrites is growing by leaps and bounds? Who can blame them for fleeing from a firestorm created by idiots?

Ron from Oklahoma

t is a sound rejection of the excesses of the Moral Majority and the shameless exploitation of religion by ambitious and power-hungry politicians.

Jack...
It means that Americans are finally growing up and out of this dependence on superstition, myth, and fear. The Universe is glorious enough as it is. It needs no explanation other than the right incredients, time, and chemistry and physics. Organized religion always and in every case reduces itself to I am right and you are wrong. And, in it's worst form it says... as a result of the fact that I am right – you do not deserve to live.
When this virus infects politics it is a recepie for disaster... Right wing fundamentalist, evangelical nut-cases are as bad as the Taliban.
Religion should be private and left out of the public domain. It should never be compared to science and should be left out of government.

Jack,

It means that more people are starting to realize that you do not need to have religion to be a good person. I think more people are starting to realize that Rush and the extreme right are nothing but a hypocrytical hate group. The religion that they preach has nothing to do with being a good person; it preaches hate towards minorities. If it were up to the religion group; black people would still be sitting in the back of the bus, women still wouldn't be voting and gay would still be considered a disease.

This is a good thing Jack, individuals without religion are free to be more 'moral' than those governed by the rules of religion. In the absence of religion one can rely upon reason and science. Supporting life becomes the guiding principle.

Just because people say they have no religion does not mean they are immoral or have no spiritual philosophy. We all need to figure out the importance of our life and our legacy.

Jack,
It means that people are finaly waking up. Americans are finaly starting to understand that saying the magic word when the bells ring at the holy hour doesn't really make a difference. Now people are finding their own ways to connect with god, without having a brutal taskmaster to breath down their and tell them to worship their way, or else.

Maybe this Universe will show to the ones watching scientific justifications to scriptures in the Bible as a vision that we all can share investigative ideas, when given enough time to discover. The Big Bang theory is proving to be the standard. Each galaxy has its own sway in movement, and therefore we can establish a detail to our own. Many minds are continuously working to predict our outcome on this planet, yet other systems may have more to do with life here than anyone could imagine.

It means the Conservative Christian coalition has succeed in turning all us sinners away. I should send them a Thank You card because my life has been so much better without religion.

Jack,

It just means that Americans are collectively realizing that the most faithful in this country and around the world have also been the most dangerous, hateful towards others, and obstructionist in terms of human progress.

The radical right has turned off many by spewing hate and venom. Gay bashing is not the message of Jesus. I've had this discussion with my children and grandchildren. They do believe in the message of helping the poor and healing the sick . Young people are very willing to help in disasters like Katrina. Preachers like Joel Osteen and Joyce Meyer are tremendously popular. They speak of Hope! Too many organized religions are sending the wrong message.

I suggest those without religion are spiritualy myopic at best, for their's will assuredly be the "3rd" choice.

Non-religous people have a view of the world that no other religion has, a certain type of relief. Not feel the need to cling to all these different types of religion. Religion seems to cause a certain types of terror on people lives. You have to live a certain way to get to this wonderful place when you die. I'm just not buying it. Reality is wonderful and I live every day in the moment. I think people have gone way from that somehow so smile and maybe you will feel better

It means that more Americans are embracing rationality and empirical wisdom over the illogical and non-scientific foundations of religion. Like it or not, there is absolutely no historical or scientific evidence that supports the mere existence Jesus Christ. Moreover, the story is plagiarized (mostly) from the Egyptian story of Osiris and Horus. The only scientific fact is that no one really knows.
- Nick Colella
Bradford, PA

Hello Jack,

I was raised in a Luthern family. My parents were very engaged in the activities of the church. I agree with the life lessons taught, but I have come to the conclusion that the world is older than 3000 years.

My education in science and astronomy have brought me to the conclusion that existing organized religions were created in an age when people needed an explanation for things they did not understand, and religion gave them that answer.

With what we have learn over the last 3000 years in science, the answers we now have conflict with many of the stories promoted by religion.

I do not doubt that all the stories in the bible are somewhat factual. I just think there is more to it than what religion holds out.

Perhaps it means that we can finally pull ourselves away from the petty, simple-minded politics of the past and start debating about the truly important things in life. You know, like the economy, health care, and the future of our nation. Religion played an important role before civilization advanced into modern society. It is now an irrelevant relic of forgotten times. We simply don't need it anymore.

I believe that the contrasting rise of Evangelical Christians and the quickly declining populations of organized religion will result in a separation of beliefs so strong it will tear the country apart. I am not religious and have been accosted many times by Evangelicals telling me, my beliefs will result in me being condemned to hell. This has pushed me farther away I think many Americans feel the same way. It seems like petty attempts at manipulating large amounts of people and much of the populous has moved passed that.

Growing up in the south, I was always taught by my parents and family friends that it was not ok to not have a religion. My family would not let me play with other children who came from non-faith families. Now, some "new school" families are not going the way of their old school parents. Most "new school" parents and families are burned out on their parents' values and not going down that one way street.

God and religion are mutually exclusive. Each religion systematically brainwashes to teach that "their" religion is the only one that counts and that others, whether religious followers or not, are lesser. For this reason, each and every religion is nothing more than a cult using God as a leveraging point to generate revenues–how blasphemis and disrespectful! Who's to say that Reverend Moon is "lesser" than the Pope? You tell me, what is the difference when you boil it down?

If I wanted to be extremist I'd make the case that reliigion is the work of the devil (gathering masses of people together under the auspice of "holy" and "moral" behavior with the intent to pit them all against each other to create the anhiliation of mankind), but I won't.

And, just for the record, treating others as second class or "lesser" is THE most immoral behavior imagineable.

Jack, I'm not saying I'm an atheist, but isn't having "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance forcing Christianity on non-Christians. Isn't having "in God we trust" on the dollar bill forcing religion on other people. A majority of this country maybe Christians, but not all of us. Atheist Church in UT don't get a tax break like Christian Churches do. Isn't that defining religion, and since when can the government tell me what my religion can and can't be?

Raj Patel
Indianapolis, IN

Having grown up in the Evangelical Lutheran church in the 70's & 80's explored life, I've realized I am more of a spiritual person. Religion, I've learned is more rigid with very little growth. It boils down to ceremony and people walk the same walk. There's more and more puppet and pulling or you're not wanted.

Being a spiritual person, one is able to weave with life and even subject themselves to the ideas of steaming from multiple religions. And focus on the things that most religions say about treating one another with love...the humanity of it.

It's not religious...and rigid, because it's a journey. I opt to walk with life, not stand still.

Easton, Pa

Churches are great; they bring people together and support important societal values like community and giving. Religion, however, often leads to unwarranted division between those who would otherwise stand on remarkably similar ground. I expect the current religious trends in America to break down the walls between people that religion creates.

There is no greater turn-off from religion than the proven hypocricy of how the religious right sheepishly and naively embraced the Republican con of caring about religion while just using them to achieve the end game of power grab. As is usually the case with the religious flock, it will sadly take some time for them to realize how they have and continue to be used by the religious bombast of Republicans

I believe it means that more people are discovering that religion is based on fear of death so rejecting it, and also that our consciousness does not die (we do not die although our experience as us ends) as there is a conservation of information involved. There is more to reality than meets the eye, and many people are discovering this at this juncture in history by experiencing it for them selves. Religion has less evolutionary value for consciousness than it used to, although as a belief system it is useful for those that need it, and as I understand is used for comfort at experience end here.
Love,
Bette

GOD is LOVE. This very simple premise, actualized, heals the sick.

Unfortunately, human make this simple premise complex, by materialising it. The premise is Spiritual.

I know this; Not believe it to be true. I know it to be Truth. It is the
science of christianity. tested. proven. Our greatest demonstrator & teacher by example (Jesus) continues to be misunderstood by most of the world, because humans believe him to have been an anomoly.

He was a man. A teacher. A perfect example of LOVE demonstrated and made manifest. We've all failed his class. We have little faith.

Faith requires inspiration, trust, hope, charity & imagination. We must radically change our minds from material to spiritual (as Jesus did) in order to manifest everlasting LIFE.

I say it is because the world is coming to an END!

I'm delighted with these new findings on the decline of organized religion, I never thought I'd se it in my lifetime. There are most likely many reasons why people are rejecting organized religion – between countless high profile priest sexual abuse cases and two wars being fought for ridiculous religious reasons, among other things, I don't understand why more people aren't rejecting it. I'd like to believe that people are finally beginning to reject Bronze Age thinking altogether and are finally realizing that basing decisions upon a 2000 year old fairy tale filled with magic and superstition might not be the best way to lead one's life. I am so thankful that science is back in the White House. Eight years of catering to religious nut-jobs is 8 years too many. Ultimately this decline in religion seems to suggest that we are finally maturing as a country.

Well, I hope it means that more Americans are finally shaking off Bronze Age superstitions, born of fear and ignorance, whose greatest contribution to history has been measured in body counts. And whose most recent gifts have been violent know-nothings like the Taliban and George W. Bush. As they say: No one ever killed for non-belief. I would have liked you to report the percentage of Americans who say, not merely that they have no religion, but affirmatively that they are atheist. Thanks for the report, though. This is important, fundamental stuff.

- Craig
Atlanta, GA

Many Americans in my opinion ever really practiced their religion in a fervent way, so it doesn't surprise me that they could lose it so easily!
I also feel that too many Americans live a feel good, when things are going good type of religious experience and when things go wrong, instead of turning to God, they turn away.

It means that people are finally using their brains instead of letting some preacher tell them how to live their lives. They have woken up to the fact that most wars (including terrorism) are at the very least, used as a reason for starting a war. Organized religions are the leading cause of overpopulation in the world and it is obvious to me that overpopulation is the cause of many of our most serious problems like global warming and famine. Water will be thle next serious problem caused by overpopulation and the major religions will be at the forefront of the cause.

Thank goodness that at least a few Americans are able to throw off the shackles of ignorance and superstition!

It means people are more and more believing in the ways of sience and are changing their purpose in life from following a holy book, to looking after their family or just experience life the way you are supposed to. Well how are you supposed to live your life then? Well just have some fun and pleasure when you are able to and be serious when you need to be. This all is possible because of the results of a less prudish society thanks to technological progress. And don't get me wrong, but I find you Americans quite prudish and stil a little too religious in my eyes.

I believe what is happening is that there is a shift away from the belief in an anthropomorphic concept of God, a god that causes both good and evil, as many religions espouse. While there is a decline in organized religion there is clear evidence that there is an increase, especially among the young, in a quest for spirituality, those qualities that bring true happiness–love, integrity, selfless motives. Could it be that the source of these qualities is the God we are all looking for? They certainly don't belong to any one religion.

No religion means trouble. When man believes he is the only one capable of controlling the world – politics, environment, science – he is competing with God. Pride always gets us in trouble. And not recognizing God is only the beginning of society's deterioration. I am a practing Roman Catholic and committed to leave this earthly world a better place. Why are we concerned about the youth not listening to parents and elders when we, the elders, don't listen to that deep voice in our hearts called the soul. What are we afraid of? Blessings!

I think this poll is very encouraging. Religion creates close-minded individuals and often breeds hate. Religion has often been a point of dissent and violence in world history and when religion plays no part in our government, lifestyle, judgments or personal beliefs, we will all be better off. As religion loses its hold on the population of the United States, there will be a more accepting and tolerant community.

As one who chooses to follow no organized religion, I can only speak for myself. My exit from "church" was not occasioned by the many good people who were there but by the divisions occasioned through man made "rules" and inherent prejudices, such as not fully accepting people or issues such as gays, immigration, life vs. choice, etc. People just got way bent out of shape in their belief that they were exclusively right, through what "we",as opposed to what "they" do or believe. My exit was a conscious one and through it I found a deeper and wiser spirituality filled with individuals and groups I now know who hold fast to the one commandment Christ left us...Love One Another.

Jack,

I left church years ago when it clearly became a click and all about our church. It is too me now just a country club, which wants money to promote themselves and not help the community for which it resides.

Church = Money=Greed=Selfish=Bad behavior=Hypacrits!!

Too Bad too!!

As an aetheist my first thought is its about time, but perhaps the economic disaster we are in has made some folks realize no supreme being is helping us out. The number of Catholics staying the same is suprising – the widespread molestation cases should have made them wise up and run – Gary in Miami

seperation between church and state is right around the corner jack.

It's called evolution, Jack. Slowly, slowly, people are realizing that myths and folklore are less real than actual science.

Jeanne'

Jack, it represents a shift in the way Americans think about religion, religious people, and this wonderful world we live in. The people and the nature around us, and the evolution that brought it all here, is pretty fascinating all ready without the idea that a god created it. Perhaps we will no longer have to associate "being good" with being "religious" and leaders like John McCain, the poor guy, won't have to disguise their cynicism towards organized religion and this god character.

Having no religion, doesn't mean having no moral compass. Some of us draw our guidance from the philosophical teachings behind the religion rather than actually believing in the divine. Common sense, moral tales, real live role models of good people, and plain old fashioned thinking also contribute to forming that moral compass.

The extreme religion and capitalism of the last 8 years has made people realize that they don't need to believe in anything invisible, whether they be gods or hands. It's the 21st century America, let's wake up and move on from outdated ideas. It means we're realizing that we have to build and evolve society. Hopefully.

I am Jewish. I used to be an agnostic. Then I came to believe in a Higher Power. Then I came to believe in the biblical God of Abraham. At one point I became a Bahai because I believed in the unity of all religions. Then I stopped being a Bahai, and I became a religious Jew. I, myself, disagree with many things about the Jewish faith. Many people I speak with have a negative view of religion and God. I think that organized religion has caused the opposite effect of what it was intended for; instead of bringing more people to believe in God, now more people are against believing in God. I think that this new information should be a wake-up call to religious movements, that they should re-evaluate their methods, their doctrines, and their approach.

Well jack, I think that it just means that people are taking the phrase "Freedom of Religion" too seriously.

Religion has truly become an unwanted opium to feed on the illusions of the people.How can religion continue to thrive succesfully when the Papacy and other organised religions enjoy a tremendous amount of wealth .
The man who initiated Christianity "Jesus" did not even own a house.The cross has become a money exchange symbol for some so called churches .it is selling faster than FOREX ;And we are not blind not to notice the many contradictions of the pulpit ,the scriptures and humanity.The scriptures has become a tool for avaricious reasons and not for the enlightement of mankind.

Religion has been used to justify slavery. It is now being used to justify witholding rights to homosexuals. Religion in the middle east has created many deaths through suicide bombings. Christianity is essentially a part of the republican party. Using god as the reason to mistreat people only serves to turn people away from god. Morality should be the focus for our nation. Contrary to popular opinion, one can have family values, love their country, and be moral without religion. Religion has become tantamount to a parent saying "because I said so" when asked why? I believe in god but I'm not arrogant enough to proclaim I know which god is god as many religious fanatics proclaim. There is a reason why our founding fathers separated church from state. Unfortunately, despite their intentions religion has penetrated our government policies much to the detriment of our country.

It was inevitable for the religions to merge, which is what's happening. The internet lifted the barriers of religion, causing Americans to identify with other religious sentiments. This, I believe, has caused many to favor no deity at all. We live in an emerging era. World Wide Web has changed humanity.

Just my opinion, but, I'm sick and tired of so-called 'Holy Wars', 'Jihads', and other nonsense that derives its arguments specifically from religion. $10 billion a month in Iraq, we'll still there, and I'm supposed to believe that religion plays NO part? An argument could be made that religion bears some responsibility for unravelling the hopes and promise of possibility that this world is capable of.

Dave
Seattle, Wa

Well, Jack, something had to give. I am just thankful that the rest of the nation is waking up from this long euphorical dream

Larousse
Athens, GA

How can there be peace in the world with Christians believing that only through them can God be reached. This leaves out the Jews, the Muslims, and all other religions, even when those religions are simply another way to reach God?

Progress.

Brian Horne,
Tenerife,
Spain.

What it means is that we are continually moving away from religion. Once upon a time we used to believe that are illnesses were an act of God. None of use would despite the science of the human body and how we get sick today. Science has left a lot of people questioning religion. This has been a gradual development over the past few generations. Few of us are as religious as our Grandparents were. The real question is how does a movement away from religion affect our moral values? Religion is has been historically good at maintaining social order in societies. I have no idea what could replace religion.

Reduction in organized religion is a good sign to me. It means perhaps that we are now more willing to take responsibility for our own actions. Research by Jane Goodall and others have shown that chimps, an therefore humans, have bilogical hard wiring for altruistic behavior. Humans are responsible for what happens on our planet.

Hopefully it means that more people are realizing that you can be a moral person without being involved in organized religion.

I would be interested to see how the data fell according to age group. I am in my twenties and I have noticed an increase in atheism and agnosticism among my peers. I think it reflects a dissatisfaction with the corruption that has come to light in many mainstream religions. I also think many Americans are turned off by the fierce political activism and large donations to causes like Prop 8 by mega-churches. I believe many American Christian sects have tried to wage a war against science, as if religion and science have to be mutually exclusive, and this rubs many Americans the wrong way.

I was raised a Roman Catholic and left the church in my teenage years. I always believed in a higher power but did not subscribe to any religious beliefs until recent years, when I became a Tibetan Buddhist (so I guess that would put me in the category that does not believe in a traditional western idea of "God"). It was a result of growing up and questioning what I had been taught my whole life by the church. When I was old enough to ponder the "big questions" I realized my beliefs did not line up with my religion's.

While it was not the driving reason behind my departure, what started me on my departure from the faith was the Catholic church's position on reproductive rights and homosexuality.

When a religion, a sect even a race's task is over, its continuing struggle to be a leading influence over a group of people will only contribute to a regression of the progressive evolution of the rest of mankind.

Jack,
It means that people are finaly waking up. Americans are finaly starting to understand that saying the magic word when the bells ring at the holy hour doesn’t really make a difference. Now people are finding their own ways to connect with God, without having a brutal taskmaster to breath down their throats and tell them to worship their way, or else.

Let me preface this with that I believe that there is a sentient order that is in every living thing in the universe – everything is connected and every thing's actions impacts every other thing's existence (whether they like it or not).

Considering that God is the biggest myth ever propagated against mankind, this means that people are now relating to each other as fellow human beings with all of the baggage that human beings carry, as opposed to what the religious institutions preach – e.g. 'they are sinners going to hell and you are to avoid/condemn/ex-communicate them' (typical Evangelical reaction) or 'they sinners and you are to kill them' (typical extremist Islamic reaction). We are finally rising above this crap and deciding to love each other – wrinkles and all.'

It hopefully means Americans can recognize that people with no religion are still generous, productive and patriotic citizens. Now maybe atheists and agnostics will have their own civil rights struggle.

American writing from South Korea

Hopefully this departure from religion will lead to a genuine separation of church and state.

People are not letting themselves be brainwashed by certain religions anymore. They are drawing educated conculsions by themsleves instead of having the chuch tell them what and how to believe. They have a religion, but it is not organized–yet.

It means that we have become a Nation of ruthless people, caught up in our very temporary exixtence on this earth. Mankind has become too smart to his own detriment.....this Nation needs much prayer. May God help us all before time rolls into eternity Only prayer can change this nation from this ungodly direction ....

Ruby

It's very encouraging to me to think that more Americans are choosing rational free thought over mythology and superstition. One thing that study didn't mention, though, is the geographic distribution of the non-religious. There is a definite polarization in this country as certain areas, such as the South, remain highly religious, while the rest of the country advances. It isn't any coincidence that these areas are also the last strongholds of the ultra-conservative Republican party, and religious hate groups such as Focus on the Family.

Sue in Jackson, Mississippi

I'm 51 and have been a non believer my whole life. I grew up in the south before the days of Evangelicals. I know live in Seattle because over the years the Evangelicals have become hate mongers instead of lovers of there fellow man. People are leaving the churches because most people prefer lovers to haters. Same reason for the decline of the right wing haters in the "republic" party.

bill
Seattle

"Guess their life is pretty empty. No God, No Life!!!!!! " REALLY,guess again!!!!!!

Just try my life,I'm a commited atheist living in the Philippines,I'm 66 and work hard producing ten tons of meat to feed local people! God? I havent got time for delusions!

I believe the trend toward spiritualism as opposed to organized religion reflects a trend away from dogma and toward acceptance, cooperation and understanding - rather like Obama's hope for bipartisan (or better, nonpartisan) solutions.

It means it is possible to be an American and an Atheist at the same time. Hopefully, With more of us around people will get to know who we truly are and abandon the myth that an absence of faith is the same as an absence of morals.

It means that Bill Maher will become the voice of America, Republicans are getting farther and farther out of touch with the rest of us, and we should tax churches just like every other business.

Tom
Indiana, PA

It means that people are starting to get smart. Researching religion and realizing how man has created it as a justification for being or living. People need to research other religions and other made up Gods. They'll see the similarities of other Gods that existed way before Jesus and his Father. Prayer is therapy. A way to express your inner desires in an outward motion through verbal means to someone who listens and won't tell others your secretes. People need to wake up and realize that God does not exist.

Many Americans say they believe in a God. However, until we define
the word GOD, a statement like this is meaningless. Which God?
There are millions of Gods so what does this statement mean?
Every person on this planet has their own perception of a God since
God is a "mental image." God cannot be defined if you require only
facts and verifiable information in the definition.
James R. Buch

People understand that the fundamental choice in life is between promoting the greater good or living as a parasite. Once that choice is made, all other religious dogma is nothing but politics, tools for those in power to stay in power. Religion is the source of the worst ideas in history, such as a divine reward for acts of violence, and a divine preference for one group of people over another.

People are becoming enlightened to the realization that religion and other traditions are quagmires to be risen above, rather than wallowed in. The future belongs to those who stand up to a world that tries to shape them into something they are not, who recognize that every man and woman has the ability, right, and responsibility to think for themselves and question everything, to let no one speak for them.

The good intentions of our ancestors to pass on to us traditions that perpetuate the status quo along with all of its evils, is a cycle that needs to be broken, and forgiven.

It means it is possible to be an American and an Atheist at the same time. Hopefully, With more of us around people will get to know who we truly are and abandon the myth that an absence of faith is the same as an absence of morals.

I read USA Today's piece on this survey yesterday. As a practitioner of Wicca, I was pleasently surprised to find that our numbers have nearly doubled over the last twenty years, and stunned to find out that we now outnumber Muslims in this country, and are about equal to the Jewish population. This is pretty remarkable for a faith whose followers make no attemt to "convert" people, or even keep a list of menbership–until now, we didn't even know with any accuracy just how many of us there are.
But the growth of the number of people who call themselves atheist, or just say that they have no religious faith troubles me. My question to these people is that if you don't believe in a power greater than yourself, what do you believe in? I don't know who said it, but he/she was a true visionary–"if you don't stand for something, then you'll fall for anything."

It´s a good thing that very religious countries like Israel, Iran and the US will become less religious. In my opinion religion is a succesful genetical illusion that helps many people to live there lives more easily with the purpose they need. This is the possitive side. The negatives are that people with a certain look on reality will have other drives to do things. Their motivation is based on a sort of make belief and if they take it for real their motivations can become more extreme. Therefor religious ideas are at the base of most terrible conflicts and less religious countries are most of the time more peacefull. This because people are often more realistic and not living their dream to the extreme. This is my ´belief´.

If you think more and more Americans are without religion, don't complain. It's even worse in Canada, where Christianity is on its way "out" as politically incorrect. If we are without religion, it is because we have become Godless in our efforts deny the truth: that we are NOT masters of our destiny, and that there IS a higher power – a power that set these laws of nature, laws of physics, of evolution, in process. Without religion, we become reckless animals. I credit the Muslims. They never stop believing. If only we Christians could actually practice what we preach, eh?

Jack,

I would hope that it means more Americans are eschewing dogmatic beliefs – and the bigotry, the hatred and fear that come with them.

As the late Jacob Bronowski put it in his magnificent series "The Ascent of Man," "There is no absolute knowledge. And those who claim it, whether they are scientist or dogmatist, open the door to tragedy... All knowledge, all information is imperfect. We have to treat it with humility."

And that knowledge MUST be based on observable, measurable and reproducible reality – not blind faith.

I believe in the basis of the teachings of Jesus Christ. I do believe is that most religious leaders have their own personal agenda. They consider what is important is how they can keep their parishioners paying for their support. Jim and Tammy Bakker, changed my view of how religion works. When they came on TV crying to have the followers help pay for the $40,000 kitchen re modeling on their property.

We all have our own bills to pay. When you expect people to cover yours is where we all have to draw the line. Jesus Christ took only what was necessary to survive in Judea. Today the religious leaders need to live a lavish lifestyle which is unconscionable. Because the contributors for their lifestyle usually cannot afford to feed themselves. Also these men who consider that parisioners are their playthings. Should be arrested just as any prostitutes john or pedofile would be legally.

Jack – look at all the hatred that organized religion brings to the world. I, personally, want no part of it and can't understand how some super being would want to be affiliated with it, especially when they do not practice its teachings. What a bunch of hypocrites.

First of all, Websters dictionary defines religion as superstition, believing in something that is based upon fact. The apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians the 4th cahpter that their is only ONE faith, One Baptism..... The fatih that Paul spoke of was given to him by divine vision and relelation which he refers to in 2nd Corinthians the 12th chapter where he explains how that he was caught up unto the 3rd heaven and saw and heard things that were unlawful for a man to utter. In the eleventh chapter of he Hebrews he clearly defines faith as the "substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen," not a blind, personal beliefe as many are being taught! If I tell you that the Apostle belived in Yahweh Elohim through his son Yahshua the Messiah, you say what? My point exacltly. People have not been and are not being taught the truth (as the savior proclaimed tha he is, so how in the world are they to believe in somthing that they have not heard? He asks in the the 8th chapter of 1st Corinthians How is it that that knowledge is NOT in every man.?

It means that Americans are finally realizing that religion is a tool to control the masses. Atheists in the U.S. will soon be heard instead of ignored.

All Americans are atheists – believing in a non-existent god is the same as believing in no god, it just feels different.

I've been an atheist until I was about twelve and could THINK. IT MEANS WE ARE EVOLVING!!! If one were born alone on this planet and able to survive without interaction of already established civilizations of previous humans, one would find absolutely no reason or evidence to even vaguely suggest any sort of god in one's environment either in nature or in thought. There is not one naturally occurring shred of evidence or even hint that any god was ever here or existed at all. It is only from man's own desire to explain mystery to himself that such stories have evolved. It is the epitome of arrogance to believe that we are of the image of a supreme being who 'made' us in his own image. It is an idea of man to exalt himself by inventing god. Religion is based on fear and ignorance.

Religion is something that man needs to explain what he does not understand. As more and more Americans embrace science and what it CAN explain, the more people are going to find religion obsolete and nothing more than a primitive way of making people behave when there is no authority figure around.

Religion is usually equated with morality. The religionists would have us believe that without it we become an amoral or immoral society. Yet a recent survey conducted in Denmark and Sweden puts the lie to that shibbolleth. It turns out that morality exists in those countries along with a minimal impact of organized religion. Do people want to believe in a higher power? Its whatever taste people want to cater to. Regardless biological mortality affects all of us.

People are finally coming around to the fact that the multibillion dollar invisible friend industry is a fraud.

It means that more and more people don't believe in fairy tales.

Because in this modern age, less people feel like they have to believe in a book written over two thousand or more years ago by a bunch of men. In which, they excluded many other stories of the time that did not fit the message they were trying to put forth and tried to suppress and or kill any person who did not accept what they were trying to sell. Hopefully, we can start to get past religion and the millions or billions of deaths it has caused...next up is money...

That's easy, Jack. People are becoming more sane.

Which statistic is more alarming – that 30% of Americans don't believe in God, or that 30% of Americans don't believe in evolution?

I think that the Non Believers feel it is finally their turn to be counted, especially in a country that is a Secular Nation not based on Christianity as has been professed loud and clear for so long that people that don't know any better believe it.....They point to the Pledge Allegiance and in God We Trust on our money as PROOF...Does anyone remember the Joe McCarthy Era.??????

Judy

Mt. Vernon, Iowa

The liberals must love this. With the demise of Christianity, government will become the new religion. So continues the decline of Western Civilization...

Because religion is mostly about hate and intolerance. God is about love and tolerance. Therefore, religion is not about God.

The old answers in the "good books" have been proven wrong by science. People are waking up and seeing organized religion as the businesses they really are. If you look at the history of churches on an individual basis you see they all were created by man in an effort to control others. Like Bill Maher says " if I don't know that there is a God, then you don't either because neither of us have supernatural powers".

It means that maybe, one day, I can tell my son anyone, no matter their religious beliefs (or lack of belief) can become president.

Riverside, CA

Religion's fundamental function in our current sociaty is to provide social stability. Organized religion is no longer the main educational and social base for our lives. We live in the Information age and are finding our place to exisit with the church. More and more people are asking questions and not accepting blind faith as the answers. Also, people are tired of religion holding back scientic progression.

Lucas in Oklahoma

As the world gets smaller through communication, thinking people
find it impossible to believe just one religion out of millions can be
the ultimate truth while the rest are wrong. What is especially
preposterous is Evangelicals being conservative while claiming
to follow Jesus, the most famous liberal of all time.

A priest friend told me years ago, if you think Washington has politics, try the Vatican. I think young folks aren’t raised in a religious environment because many parents work 2 jobs and religion is secondary. I left the Church years ago and just deal with God direct. It’s a lot less complicated.

It means that people are waking up and prefer facts and science over fear mongering and dogma.

Maybe americans are finally learning something and growing upand that there might not be a god. Look around you and enoy the heaven your on, help a friend and be thankful for the earth.

It means that we're getting smarter and unafraid to be honest about it.

I'm the son of a Born-Again Lutheran and a Sikh, my wife is Catholic, my ex-wife is Jewish....my sons are whatever they want to be...like me!

The greatest scam from time immemorial in human civilization has been organized religion. Finally, Americans are realizing that its OK to believe science and to choose to believe individually in a God or not.

Organized religion puts us into "Clubs" so non-members are non-believers and this is the biggest root cause of all human conflict.

The more we accept each other, no matter what we believe, the more civilized and happier we will be.

AJ

Religions, as institutions, are loosing their grip on the population because they no longer meet peoples' needs. Also, more and more people know that the Christ has returned, and is not a member of any existing church.

Why are less people religious? Probably because of the dissemination of information on the internet. Religion is just accepted superstition passed down from our parents. I want to know why people are religious when really there are no facts other than man made books filled with outright lies and inconsistencies.

It means maybe more Americans are becoming freethinkers, realizing how unnecessary religion is, especially the organized kind, to be a good human being. Not living your life based on what some supernatural being may or may not do to you in the afterlife based on how you lived. Maybe theists are tired of the corruption, hypocrisy, and discrimination that goes along with some belief systems.

To me it means that fewer people know God and have less understanding about the difference between right and wrong. Children should be taken to church school and church at an early age(this should be true for all religions) this is the best way for children to know God and have an understanding about the difference between right and wrong. Without moral law,free will can cause chaos,sound formiliar? I am a Theistic Evolutionist.I believe in a Christian God and Evolution is the way God did it. Gene

It signifies America is growing up and putting away childish fables and fairy tales. We spent the last eight years locked in religious limbo, ignoring science and progressive thought, substituting instead the personal feelings of Governor Bush and the right wing evangelicals. At what point in our global history do we throw off the yoke of the inane, dangerous and divisive man made apocrypha in favor of reasoned and rational thought free from the attachment of superstition?

The church makes it really hard to belive in God.

We're getting smarter!! Maybe our state government here will loose interest in religion. Maybe then they will allow the public to vote on the selling of alcohol on Sunday's.

maybe if these wing nuts, would live the life the preach people could believe.
They says gay is a sin -some are gay and thats ok
They say sex before marriage is a sin--– there having affairs
They say give to the church--–there living in million dollars homes as we suffer.
They say dont let mexico use protection, there not doing anything as children starve and cant be fed
They say god loves you if you only do this, there out doing that and the other thing.
There full of hate, there full of things god never said, and They pushed Americans away because we got sick and tired of them telling us whom we can love, and how to live our life.

We live, we respect god and love thy neighbor.

we just do it on gods terms not these nuts that preach there own words never gods , and these nuts that follow them and hurt in the name of there so called god!

America Has had enough hate, and we need more of the real god!

Ryan U
California

The fact that being irreligious correlated with the increase of evangelicals points to an ineffectiveness of the evangelical movement. It is a sign that the preachy method does not work. Maybe their numbers would rise if they focused less on "do this, not that" and more on "Love Thy neighbor as thyself"

It means that more Americans are embracing rationality and empirical wisdom over the illogical and non-scientific foundations of religion. Like it or not, there is absolutely no historical or scientific evidence that supports the mere existence Jesus Christ. Moreover, the story is plagiarized. It is an exact replication of Mithraism, which was in existence over 2000 years earlier than Christianity. The only scientific fact is that no one knows.
- Nick Colella
Bradford, PA

Jack, it means that many people who were religous are turning against it. It could be that many mainstream religions have given up making an effort to try better understand their own religion, their communities, and how to relate to people with limited exposure to religion in general. As a christian, I am sometimes taken back by the unnecessary intensity and gross-ignorance of would-be evangelists. The rise in so-called "evangelicals" and coresponding fall of republican intelectualism in the face of it only proves that hyper-emotionalism is no substitute for basic rational thought and genuine human empathy. To put it bluntly, if the Davinci Code is the first time you've heard of the First Council of Nicaea and it scared you, write Jack and tell him you are the answer to his question.

"Organized" religion always has an agenda, often it is self-serving and does not match up with morality. Much harm has been done in the world, and continues to be done, in the name of religion.
Harry
Tampa

Religion for what?

We free ourselves from sin! For example, if a drunk wants freedom from alcohol, he simply stops drinking. He doesn't visit AAA or pray to prophets and priests. We overcome sin by eliminating those things which cause us to sin. This is why "Religion" , the belief, is fading. While "Religion" ,the way of life, is flourishing. Why pray to Jesus when i alone control my own eternal outcome? This is a factor as to why some Christians are stuck in a physical state of idolatry and the focus of their religious being is in disarray.

I haven't been "frightened" away from being a passionate Atheist by Bush, though I've been made to feel less American. Now that the mini-
Renaissance of the Age of Obama's intellectual enlightenment has restored science, rational thought, and logic to the fore, we're able to engage in meaningful debate about the meaning and nature of the universe. One can start being honest about one's religion as well as one's politics. As many people are moderate, it's little wonder that agnosticism is becoming more prevalent.

The drop in religious Americans simply reflects the rapidly changing society. That most of the people who calimed no religion but did believe in some form of a god shows that people have become independent enough to question the power of church over their beliefs.

Prattville, AL

Thank God for secular enlightenment!

When people say they have no religion it means those of us that do need to continue to work harder to assist those still looking to find religion. I have felt I am religious most of my adult life and know that it has carried me through some extremely difficult times in my life. There is not a day that I don;t take time to have a conversation with God and it makes everyday more enjoyable. I encourage those that say they don't have religion to take time to learn about various religions and see if one doesn't seem to fill a void in their lives. Let's also remember that being a Republican does not mean you have a religion, it just means you are lost and need a lot of religious help. If you come to my church I'm willing to welcome you and help each of you learn about God – you're welcome anytime.

To me, organized religion is the #1 cause of war, violence, and suffering in human history. It has been at the root of most major wars and is at the heart of our current war on terror. It causes people to focus on chastising and attacking people who do not believe the same, or who are breaking the laws of one's religion.

At it's heart, most religions do teach peace, love, and caring for one another. But in action, they cause nothing but pain.

I believe there's a difference between "religion" and "faith". To me religion is/can be attached to a specific denomination, but has nothing to do with one's faith - faith in God or a higher being. I'm fortunate to be affiliated with a Methodist Church who follows the teachings of God to take care of and share with our families, each other, the poor, our neighbors and those we can reach in the world wide community. This sharing and caring is done without any expectation of reward, except to know we've done something good for someone else. My faith is a very personal thing, and can't and shouldn't really be attached to a "religion" or denomination.

I suppose it's a sign that America is finally maturing. Faith is a poor substitute for thoughtful self-reflection. Too many people opt not to think for themselves and, instead, parrot their religious leaders. But so many of these institutions - especially the Catholic Church - have proven to be morally bankrupt and not worth following. Plus, religious organizations are increasingly out of touch with the realities of most people's lives. It's a multiple incentive to exit organized religion and begin doing what we should've done all along - think for ourselves and look inward for affirmation.

My religion is Gratitude first, "Thank you, God, for what I am about to receive".

This is what Jesus taught by his example. He never wished us to worship him.

When we whole-heartedly follow his teachings, we will reap his rewards.

It signifies America is growing up and putting away childish fables and fairy tales. We spent the last eight years locked in religious limbo, ignoring science and progressive thought, substituting instead the personal feelings of Governor Bush and the right wing evangelicals. At what point in our global history do we throw off the yoke of the inane, dangerous and divisive man made apocrypha in favor of reasoned and rational thought free from the attachment of superstition?

It means LIberals have finally bad mouthed religion and won the war of faith. Now lets see what happens to the world now that our kids will grow with less morals.

As the son of a retired Roman Catholic priest and Irish Catholic nun, I have watched the decline of organized religion carefully. I believe we are entering a new Age of Enlightenment! We can map the human genome and calculate the age of our universe. We can clone cells and soon will unlock the potential of stem cells, all without the assistance of our clergy. These are scientific realities. Jesus, Mohammed, Buddah, and Abraham were all real, and excellent philosophers, but we as a human race have spent far too many years and destroyed far too many lives arguing over divinity. And for what? So preachers can drive fancier cars; so the pope can live in a bigger golden castle? All religions have abandoned their leaders teachings and corrupted the minds of the easily led. Everyone, save your 10% and just be kind to your fellow man. Help out those in need, and study science and medicine, and just stay home with your loved ones on Sunday. If there is a god, he already knows how you feel.

Religion’s fundamental function in our current sociaty is to provide social stability. Organized religion is no longer the main educational and social base for our lives. We live in the Information age and are finding our place to exisit withOUT the church. More and more people are asking questions and not accepting blind faith as the answers. Also, people are tired of religion holding back scientic progression.

Lucas in Oklahoma

Jack , it means that a majority of Americans are tired of being demonized for their personal choices epesically from those who hold religious ideologies. I'm a person of faith, yet I understand their are individuals who hold seperate beliefs from me and as much as I disagree with them, they are still entitled to their personal decesion. People like me need to respectfully disagree and not force religion down people's throats!! This is especially true at the governing level. What ever happened to the seperation between church and state!! Personal Faith and Public Policy should not mix if we a nation of many faiths. Just as God gave us free will, we must give others the same opportunity.
Coral Springs, FL

People nowadays are too busy to think about what religion or what their beliefs are. There is so much stress with all the unemployment, housing market, and so on. It also would mean that they do not believe in a certain religion. For example, they don't believe in what Christians believe or what Muslims believe. They don't think about those things.

Jack, it could mean that the Religious Right who love to mix church and state are scaring people off. I have a couple of friends who fit in that category and their beliefs sure scare me.

Maybe now as being an atheist, people will stop harassing me. well i can hope anyway.

The real reason why more and more Americans don't have a religion isn't because they don't believe in God anymore, it's that they don't believe in dogmatic institutions that demand money (in the case of the Catholic church to pay off rape-accusors) from their faithful to go to causes that they don't believe in. Most "religious" institutions anymore are more worried about paying Moral Majority-type lobbyists in Washington than actually doing something worthwhile. If you pay attention, you'll see that there is a sharp rise in non-denominational churches and communities throughout the nation that reflects the rejection of radical churches that care about only putting out their own agenda and gaining more money than spreading the Word of God.

One word Jack. Bigotry!

Every Christian think they are better than the other Christian and the other is going to hell. While on the same breath, they are teaching others about being Christ-like. Go Figure.

The younger generation are sick of this bigotry and this trend will start increasing.

People are more self-aware these days. The advent of the information age has allowed many to experience alternate lifestyles and religions. More knowledge gives people more options. Now, instead of blindly following however one was raised, people now have the ability to see different points of view in the world.

If people say they have no religion but still believe in a God, it means they have no faith in those who claim to represent the God they believe in.

Why less religion? Because, look at what organized religion has done.
The evangelicals will commit muder,elect Adolf Hilter to stop abortion but love executions and believe only "their kind" are right about anything. The catholics are basically the same on abortion but also hide pedophiles and some really wacko priests. The muslim will kill anybody to advance their goals. Protestants have so many branches who knows what they believe, maybe they should vote.

You actually think that any sane human being should follow these sick people

I blame technology. People want instant satisfaction. With Christianity, the real prize comes at the end of our lives here on earth...people these days don't want to wait for that prize at the end of their lives. They'd rather have the little prizes now (drugs, ability to curse, extra-marital sex, etc...) than be eternally rewarded when they pass on.

Jack, You know that People Hunger for the True Knowledge of GOD!
Right Winged Neo-Conservative Republicans Have Been Exposed as Organized Religion + Phony Religiousity by the Likes of "Sean Hannity + Rush Limbaugh Beck Babylonian Baloney-ism; Shouted From the Colloquial Nosebleed Balcony of FOX SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS-ism. A-MEN!

Who says more Americans say they have no religion?
What about Jack Cafferty , Paul Begala and other Obama worshippers chanting ‘Obama’, ‘Obama’ day in and day out?

Religion (especially the right-wing and evangelical arms) just seem to be another self-absorbed lobbyist movement – and Americans generally abhor self-interested lobbying groups.
As the government becomes less secular, our "faith" in the righteousness of religion drifts accordingly. Thomas Jefferson had the right idea, keep religion out of government .

Too many "leaders" (and I use THAT term loosely) who profess to be pious on TV and then are really sleazebags in private.

Find me a compassionate organized religion that accepts rather than excludes....

I'm from Michelle Bachman's (sigh) district in MN and a proud atheist. Good timing of this article, as I just watched Bill Maher's "Religulous" last night on DVD. Reasons to be a proud atheist:
1. Moral compasses can come from more places than a church or a priest, or a best-selling book.
2. Hypocrisy and the twisting of religious teachings for benefit to create a "godly" side of the American political spectrum is dispicable.
3. Many of the things the lead figures of religions stood for are in direct opposition to what their present day followers do. WWJD? He'd kick some hypocritical butts all over this country and the world that's what...if he existed as a higher power.
4. I don't believe in talking snakes...thanks Bill!
5. God could just use a really big megaphone and talk to everyone at once instead of talking to everyone individually in private...or in that phone booth thing the Catholics have...what's it called again? A Penalty Box? 2 Minutes...High Sticking on Lucifer.

I see it all the time...I'm a christian myself. I see people who claim they are christian, but turn out to be hypocrites. You got ministers doing wrong in many ways...money, sex & greed. Then here come's the GOP...they say they are christian conservatives, but are quick to look out for #1 and look out for the the rich instead of the people who really need help. People are so confused right now.

It means more and more of us and getting tired of being told 'God works in mysterious ways' when there are school shootings, hurricanes, tornadoes, pointless wars, need I go on?

Sad that "thinking" more means you have rationalized lack of religion as ok. You can't think away your mortality just as you can not think away God. There is going to be a housing bubble in purgatory in about 60yrs, has the US population forgotten Pascal's wager? I would think in tough times one would focus on family and religion, realizing that money means nothing.

Jack,
I am and agnostic. I have long believed in a God or something greater than us. When the pope was sick and could not fulfill his obligations, but did not give up his position I knew then that man was using religion to fulfill his own egotistical needs.
When Pope John Paul died I thought that a God had died. People start worshiping the man and not the God they started believing in. Americans are starting to believe in themselves, this is good.

It means I stopped believing in Santa when I was 7, God when I was 12. Now if only the religious right when get out of my business, hypocrits, phonies, and hate-spreaders that they are! I hope the numbers grow and grow until those of those that have the intelligence to question silly indoctrination don't have this forced on us anymore! It was once thought insane to question that their was a God of War and Wind. Those who believe and believe without question are in the same boat.

Jack – it means that more Americans have come to accept that life is what one makes of it, that one creates his or her own hell or heaven on earth in his or her own actions and that the concept of an omnipotent deity that controls everything is old time superstition.

It is about time, now let's do what is right for it's own sake – the Golden Rule applies.

What does it mean? Hopefully that more people are thinking logically and fewer are believing in magic. When one believes in magic, they can be convinced of anything.

I should note that there are some very good people who are religious, but there are plenty of us who are not religious that are just as good. You don't need religion to tell you what's wrong or right, just a little common sense and honor.

It shows societal progress that people choose the framework of science and reason to guide their understanding of the world. More and more people are largely spiritual and ethical being while not needing the institute of religion to guide their lives.

It means that humans are finally realizing the absurdness and stupidity of religious ideology. People are now understanding that "God" doesn't do anything for you, that "God" is a concept created by humans to either justify the right to power or enslavement or to find a false sense of security in their lives.

Ultimately, this is terrific news for all of the world, now that we are starting to break out of the shell of religious dogma

Americans are rejecting religion because we're finally figuring out that religion was created by MAN to control MAN. Too many instances of priests molesting alter boys, evangelicals building amusement parks and flying around in Gulfstream jets while their parishoners can barely afford the electricity to watch these vampires on tv. There is a reason why the preacher calls it his flock...because he hopes we're sheep and will dutifully follow along and not think for ourselves...oh, and we'll give him our hard earned money so he can tell us how to live our lives...while he is seeing the male hooker using that same hard earned money we gave him. What a joke and I pity those who still blindly believe the drivel they spew. God has to be watching us and wondering how all these ridiculous interpretations actually sell to the public.

After being raised as a Catholic, I began to question the teachings of the church and came to the conclusion that religion is not meant to be taken as literal as people take it. The theme of catholicisim is to be nice to others and do good things. I can easily do that without going to church for an hour every Sunday to read a work of fiction (ie the bible) and sing songs.

I've seen too many "very religious" people who are bad people to think that being religious has anything to do with being a good person.

It's because people are finally admitting that having "faith" or otherwise believing in fake things has no meaning or value. We, as a race, demand proof for everything, but not for the existence of god–a very troubling inconsistency in our dialogue.

The waters(the people of the nations) are drying up that the great harlot.....Babylon the Great (world empire of false religion.....is sitting upon.--–Revelation 17,18

It's because there is no proof that any one particular religion is the truth. No one on this earth now knows where human life began and the only proven facts come from science.

Hi Jack,
It means Americans are finally waking up, using their brains instead of their bibles and recognizing religion for the hoax that it is. It’s great to be peacefully and privately spiritual, every person is spiritual in some way, but organized religion is irrelevant and I say good riddance. If I never see a church, mosque or temple in my life again, I’d be just fine and so would the rest of us quite frankly. Religion is a cancer on society, it creates ignorant ideology and limits our progress as a peaceful and intelligent global society. Why do you think nations go to war? People have been hoodwinked for far too long.

Juan Oquendo, Lakeland, FL
It means that people are starting to understand that religion is part of the problem and not the solution. Christian dogma has been at the root of all of the worlds wars since the birth of Christanity. If you look at history from the days of the Crusades to the expulsion of the Moors to the Holocaust to the current state of terrorism, it's no wonder that religion beliefs have wained.

I was saddened when I heard Barack Obama say we are no longer a Christian nation....I am an American because I was born in Delaware, but in my heart I am a Christian...I believe the United States of America was formed and based on Judeo-Christian values that tolerates all people in our country, but that does not mean we are no longer a Christian nation. I hope my fellow Americans will read their Bibles very carefully as this international stage is being set.

I'm originally from Salt Lake City and consider myself a "Former Mormon."

Education and the plurality of information the Internet has facilitated since the late 90's has built a larger sense of skepticism in our culture. It's still small compared to most developed countries, but it's growing.

I can say with certainty that this dynamic led to my paradigm shift.

it means a move toward introspection and common sense and self-determination...all desparately needed in this challenging time. I don't have to belong to a church to be deeply spiritual and practice faith in the Creator/God/Supreme Being...whatever. Going to a church on Sunday and listening to a preacher tell me what that particular religion claims to be the truth has almost nothing to do with why we are here and how we should be living. Take a lesson from our Indigenous friends and treat the earth as our mother, share what we have, take only what you need, and look inside yourself for answers.

jack are you suprised, look into the history of the church,full of conspiracy and today homosexuality has polish the inmorality of the church. All evils things seems to come from religious group.couple with all these, what will i belief in? may be an empty church buildings is more godly than the people inside.i belief in nothing.

Which god should we believe in? The Christian god, who blesses war on the Muslim god, who sanctions war on all of the other gods?

I'm confused.

Jack, I think more Americans are coming to realize that faith and religion can be two entirely different entities. Faith doesn't judge other religious beliefs by its own set of standards. Religion on the other hand judges other sects different than its own, usually with disdain and irreverence. Religion is responsible in some manner for nearly every war or act of terrorism that has ever been waged. I find it odd how people can be so sure in their religion that they feel justified in committing acts that make a mockery of their faith. Besides, no human has ever answered the question "Which came first the chicken or the egg?". Faith is a good answer and doesn't get caught up in all the trappings of religious persecution. John in Montgomery PA

It means that Americans are beginning to see organized religion for what it is – unregulated business – and they are divesting from it. Why would people want not want to grow and transcend antiquated belief systems? Hopefully more and more will choose to see their spirituality as a journey of evolution instead of a struggle to remain shackled to centuries old practices and beliefs that no longer serve them or their needs.

Many, like myself, separate religiosity from spirituality and I am a big proponent of the latter. Although I recognize that, for some, religion can be the springboard to spirituality, too often I think the two get conflated.

Religion is merely mythology that people actually believe. I think more Americans recognize that the emperor has no clothes! Too bad, there is a lot of money to be made in religion these days!

Perhaps it's because we're learning the difference between myth and fact.

It means that people have seen the amount of damage done to society by the unforgiving, unkind and unjust religions of the world and are beginning to reject them. They are all based on simple stories, originally meant to control the masses by their leaders. People are finally questioning organized religion and finding their stories failing. If you believe in God and you see such a higher power as a benevolent being, then you don't think you are superior in any way to any other person. You aren't automatically going to heaven if you go to a certain church or believe a certain way – it's naive and pathetic. People are growing out of it.. Finally!

It means they're finally realizing that religion is not necessary for a strong sense of morality and ethical conduct. People were humble, moral and ethical for thousands of years before the advent of religion. I have no problem with a tolerant, open-minded faith of any variety, but saying that your religion has the exclusive claim to "truth" and to look down on or condemn others for their beliefs is to perpetuate all the things that work to make religion a negative as opposed to a societal positive. If you need to be afraid of punishment before you're helping others, maybe loss of faith in your country isn't your biggest moral problem.

In other words, for all you religious out there: you don't need a God of any kind to be a good person in any way. Not that it hurts, or that I'm necessarily against it. Just keep that fact in mind before you condemn others.

It means that Americans are growing up and not believing in fairytales that were written over 2000 years ago. If these people actually read the bible and researched its history they would know how ridiculous it is. For instance, almost everything about Christmas is from pagan traditions. The story of Jesus is very similar to other prophets from earlier religions.

I don't believe polls. You can find a poll to say anything you want.

it is finally becoming socially acceptable. We no longer have to pretend that we are something that we're not.

Means that many people are tired of radicalization of any religion. Religion, what used to embody a stencil for someone who didn't have proper morals or ethics now serves a tool for manipulation. Religion is separating mankind, instead of bringing everyone together. Evangelicalism is to Christianity, as Christianity is to the rest of the world's religions.
Its all the same stories, "I am right, you are wrong; I got to Heaven, You go to Hell; I must save you, if I cant your my enemy?"
Yeah that sounds like great logic....good luck America??? good luck humankind!!! this problem is larger than just 360 mil population within in these 50 states!

Most of the 'Christians' one sees in the media, come across as godless. Take Bush, if he is the Devil incarnate, I don't know who is. Mostly, Christianity is a tool that is twisted to the ends of those who would do evil in this country.

It means that people are being offered more choices in what they may or may not believe in, with less stigma if they choose to believe in something other than the majority. I find this refreshing, as I don't subscribe to what everyone around me is constantly pressuring me to believe in, and I've always been uncomfortable when people try to convert me. I don't try to convert church-goers to my way of thinking, why do they find it proper to try to convert me?

I believe more and more Americans feel disconnected to any fiber dealing with unity. We live in a country that has been over materialized, over consumed, and filled with too many individualistic thinkers who have forgotten what is truly important in life. Ideology has overcompensated morality for several years now creating a discourse in which lack of religion is the norm.

Southern California

I think when the usage of Atheism gets thrown into the mix it confuses all..we need to realize that Deism was much more dominant and what the founding fathers had in mind...please don't confuse Atheism with Agnostics or Deism....for the progressive and analytical thinker, Deism has all the answers and what I believe more and more people can associate with rather than Atheism.

We need to distinguish between belonging to a particular religion and having a personal relationship with God.

Sometimes a "religion" can let us down - many times that is due to other members or the clergy's weaknesses not being what a person is looking for in a community of believers.

Our own personal relationship with God is just between ourself and God and no one can interfer - so it either flourishes or dies depending on our own nuturing of it.

When our personal relationship with God is so tied up with a religion and that religion lets a person down then that person tends to say they no longer believe.

Like a lot of things in the world gone bad – the combination of money, power, and control have corrupted.

religion can be healthy its the organizations that need to change.

Man created God; not the other way around.

Humans are getting smarter (trust me on this), so we're beginning to become embarrassed of our creation. Some though, can't "put away childish things"; and that has led us to our violent moment in time. It will come to pass.

Amen.

It means that our society has evolved yet again. We will no longer accept something as a "truth" just because a religious figure says so without any proof. We finally understand that religion is not the source of all that is morally right, and that common sense does just fine.

Remember how we as a human community threw out Divine Right of Kings centuries ago? This is just the next step.

Religions have always struck me as kind's of "Ponzi Schemes".

Wow Christianity takes the cake. Jesus is the Bastard son of a god that Killed billions over millininia.

Basically most religions start out with telling you their beliefs and asking you to join, then when you don't. Hey they offer you streets of gold and in some cases lots of virgins. Then if you don't believe, they threaten you with a satan an lake of fire. Hey sounds like another Harry Potter book to me. But if you resist the threats of terror, these people are so upset they would kill you if they could.

Now what do we have as an alternative. There's Darwin 200 years of new facts that never have made a scientific mechanism that shows how evolution worked.

We have arrived from Mendels theorys to a likening of Lego set with intelligent genes involved. That place dna on the chromosomes so they produce a certain affect. Sounds like another belief system to me.

Looks like your figures are a bit skewed Jack.

Most believe in something, I'm nearly 65 years old. I'll never know what it is and don't give. a damn.

Charles L. Clarke

As it has happened in Europe during last century, people are not less religious. They just changed "religions". From basic Christianity to secularism – to worshiping, self, power, money, wealth, sex, drugs, etc. And... its under guise of intellectualism, self thinkers, etc. Nothing new.... just re-labeling.

I am so happy that Christianity is dropping in America. Its about time that we stop paying pastors/priests to stand up behind a pulpit and preach. I'd much rather donate to a charity that is out loving people with education, clothes, and food. Condoms for people! Abstinence is CRAZY!

Too many people use god or religion as an excuse, a waiver or a pardon for bad behavior. As in god told Bush to invade Iraq, or, yes I screwed my neighbors wife but god forgave me. I think people are realizing that they are responsible for their own acts. Your spiritual life should guide your actions, not pave your excuses on the road to heaven. Better yet, do the right thing, because it is the right thing to do.

the golden rule still rules!!!!!!

It's actually a bit depressing that 82% of the population still believes in some sort of spirituality. I think it proves that the human brain is pre-programmed to feel spiritual about the nature of the universe... and to "believe" there is a God, despite the lack of evidence.

People are realizing that there are more things to life than putting their faith into the hands of something that may/may not be real. They are putting their faith into their own hands. With so many religions in this world and so many different beliefs, there are only a few certain things that give us true life....the earth and the sun. No, don't go thinking that I'm all into the earth/karma/whatever gibberish. I'm just an average guy that knows what makes things grow and live. Why does one religious belief have to rule over another? Why do religions have to go head to head? Religions and their beliefs have caused more wars and more fighting than anything else. People are seeing that and disconnecting themselves from it.

I'm not a religious person, but I admire people like the Dalai Lama and have, in fact, gone to see him speak in the past year. He never tries to push his religion on to his listeners. In fact, he simply tells you that the best religion you can belong to is a religion simply made up of being kind, striving for simple happiness, and being peaceful with your neighbor.

What a great way to live. Put your faith in the real things you can control....not what you think a greater power force might have control over. That has never been proven. Make it happen mentally and physically.

A quote from the Dalai Lama himself....

“This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.”

I think it's because the world is drifting away from God. True ... you don't have to go to church to be a Christian. You don't have to take a spanish class to learn spanish, but it sure helps. This country was founded on certain spiritual and religious ideas. Christians believe in Jesus and that he died for his sins. You hear very few of our leaders even say the name Jesus. They say God. When they talk about their faith in Jesus and their salvation, they are blasted and mocked by the media and others. You should not mock our Lord and there will come a time that you will regret it. I am not a religious nut. In fact, I have not been to church a long time, but that is going to change.

If it's true then it means that we are STILL a Christian nation

Curtis Wampler
Udall, KS

I just don't believe in it.
I think its another phase.
Zeus, Thor, Ra, etc etc.
Who knows what people will be worshiping 1000's of years for now.
I think it is the result of being self aware and also having self preservation instinct.

If we can convince ourselves that we will live forever in some manner it helps us to cope with our imminent demise.

What this may mean (and ironically it is the Republican mantra) is that more and more Americans are accepting responsibility of, and demand control over, their own lives and actions rather than blaming everything on 'God's will'. I firmly believe people should be allowed to worship as they choose, but do not blame your God for a dumb action on your part.