It's clear that religion plays a major role in American society.

finds that 78.4 percent of Americans identify themselves as a member of a Christian faith. Another 4.7 percent are members of other faiths, including Jews, Muslims and Buddhists. It is estimated

across the country. Roughly

regularly.

But

." While that's a significant amount, only 1.6 percent of those labeled as "unaffiliated" are willing to declare themselves atheists. Another 2.4 percent say they're agnostic.

Atheists remain an enigma for many people. In fact, a study released last year found that religious people distrust atheists almost as much as rapists (

):

Last Saturday, thousands of atheists, nontheists and others who profess not to believe in God gathered in Washington, D.C.,

One speaker called it a "coming out" moment for atheists, and organizers said it was held to show that the number of people of who don't believe in God is growing (

):

also sees a growth in the number of nonbelieving Americans, but he says it's going to be a long time before they'll become a political force:

No matter what the goals of Saturday's rally, columnist

, especially by some of the signs displayed and rhetoric used by participants:

Robert Wright, an editor with The Atlantic, says noted atheist Richard Dawkins did not help nonbelievers' cause

and show contempt for it:

Calling Saturday's gathering a "Reason Rally"

, who writes in the Washington Post that the "new atheists" are arrogant and believe they're the only ones capable of logical thought:

So, one rally didn't change perceptions too much ... that's not hard to believe. Gregory Paul, an independent researcher in sociology and evolution, and Phil Zuckerman, a professor of sociology, are puzzled by the dislike of atheists, but they

for the nonbelievers' future: