There's been a sharp rise in the number of Americans reporting "no religious preference" in the 1990s (up from 7% to 14% after decades of little change). Apparently this does not signal a doubling in the numbers of American athiests, however. The researchers claim the figures are due to more christians distancing themselves from the church, rather than people rejecting belief entirely. Even so, it's worth bearing in mind when current news is weighed down with religion-heavy stories.