Yes, a good piece. While this is about the US, many of the issues apply globally in western countries, though to a greater or lesser degree. In my country, it is less pronounced, but still there. Politicians still play religious because it looks good. I also hate the fact that mainstream media still plug religion thinking it looks good. I do think the rising non religiousness of young people is a good thing. It great to see many younger people on this site, for example. Also, I strongly believe that many people are only what I call notionally religious. They are religious in behaviour and identity but not really by strong belief. These are the people we want to turn towards the light. We have to keep pulling this train, folks. It's a momentum issue, I feel certain. Hard to build the momentum, but once it builds, and more people pull.... In 50 years we have seen a transformation in attitudes towards women, racial equality, gay rights and others in that broader community, just to name some areas of great change. It's not perfect, but it's a hell of a lot better than it was. We've got to hope that we can do the same for secularism and religious non-belief. I'm not an optimist by nature, but I've got to remain hopeful about that.

Comes as absolutely no surprise to me, but I've been dealing with this all my life.