So, the study says 6% of Americans are atheists or Agnostic. I think an increasing number of Christians are non-denominational or independent.
It is a mistake to lump these people in with the 6% cited in the article. It’s possible to be irreligious and still be Christian. I am one of those. :)
I understand your point. I live in the northeast, so I see empty church after empty church. Once the formal gathering places (the church) starts to fade away the community suffers & many people drift away from religion without having a support system.