Is Religion Slipping Away?

The news has been filled with the results of surveys dealing with the religious life of the American people. Robert Putnam of Harvard University has looked specifically at the religious life of young adults.

Typically, in America, those who state that they have no religious affiliation, the "nones", ranges around 5-10%. From Putnam's study, however, the non-affiliate number is between 30-40%. That is a significant increase from the norm.

What do you think about this? What has happened on the American religious scene that has resulted in such a large segment of younger folks giving such a response? Is this a prelude to the final decline and fall of religious faith in America? Or, is it a good thing since it may indicate that people are thinking more seriously and taking more seriously their religious commitment?