More than a quarter of adult Americans have left the faith of their childhood to join another religion or no religion, according to a new survey of religious affiliation by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.

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"Nearly one-in-five men say they have no formal religious affiliation, compared with roughly 13 percent of women," the survey said.

The rise of the unaffiliated does not mean that Americans are becoming less religious, however. Contrary to assumptions that most of the unaffiliated are atheists or agnostics, most described their religion "as nothing in particular." Pew researchers said that later projects would delve more deeply into the beliefs and practices of the unaffiliated and would try to determine if they remain so as they age.

Or read another way, the majority of Americans continue in the religion in which they were brought up.

Also interesting is that a loss of a religion doesn't mean that one considers him or herself agnostic or athiest. Basically, you still believe in the stereotypical sky fairy (to borrow a phrase) you just don't associate with a particular religion, but probably go through the motions with your family, especially during the holiday season.