Crossed out version of original image File:Religious_symbols.svg, containing symbols of various religions. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There is some recent evidence to suggest that the importance of religion may be declining in the United States. A new poll by NBC andshows that 21% of respondents say that religion does not play an important part in their lives. According to Carrie Dann ( NBC News ), this is the highest percentage recorded since the poll started in 1997 and is up from 16% in 1999.National trends like this are somewhat challenging to interpret, as there will almost certainly be large differences by region, ethnicity, age, education, and a host of other variables. Still, it is encouraging to see that there is an overall decline in the importance assigned to religion. Here's hoping the decline continues and picks up a bit of momentum.In my opinion, the most likely reason for this decline (if we had to pick just one) is the anti-equality stance taken by many religions when it comes to same-sex marriage . I'm just speculating here, but this seems to be the main area where the gap between where society is moving ahead at the same time organized religion is refusing to move.