What evidence suggests that the importance of religion is declining in the United States?

AnswerA recent survey of more than 35,000 Americans, conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, found that the number of people who say they are unaffiliated with any particular faith to be around 16.1 percent. Among Americans aged 18 to 29, one in four say they are not affiliated with any particular religion. Clearly, the importance of religion is declining.