Changes

== Increase in Those Who Have No Religious Identity ==

== Increase in Those Who Have No Religious Identity ==

Over the longer term there has been a substantial increase in the number of Americans having no religious identity.  Gallup has been specifically tracking this trend since 1948.<ref>[http://www.gallup.com/poll/128276/Increasing-Number-No-Religious-Identity.aspx Gallup: In U.S., Increasing Number Have No Religious Identity]</ref>  At that point a mere 2% of Americans volunteered "no religion".  In the intervening years, however, the numbers have steadily grown so that in 2008 the figure had reached some 16% of the population.

Over the longer term there has been a substantial and relatively steady increase in the number of Americans having no religious identity.  Gallup has been specifically tracking this trend since 1948.<ref>[http://www.gallup.com/poll/128276/Increasing-Number-No-Religious-Identity.aspx Gallup: In U.S., Increasing Number Have No Religious Identity]</ref>  At that point a mere 2% of Americans volunteered "no religion".  In the intervening years, however, the numbers have steadily grown so that in 2008 the figure had reached some 16% of the population.

The bottom line of the research is described as follows:

The bottom line of the research is described as follows: