"This begs the question: have Americans become so inured to secularism, materialism and consumerism that the prospect of atheists becoming a major political force does not create the slightest bit of discomfort?"

After talking with a christian friend today, I realized all that he talked about were his possessions and money.

I think quite simply, many, if not most Americans claiming to be christian are clue less. To say the least. Perhaps it's not that Atheist numbers are rising. Perhaps many "christians" are giving up the facade.
Also, for many Americans, the words christian and American are so entangled and intertwined, that they are both and it is one. The cultural thing.......