The latest findings of the American Religious Identification Survey find that 34 million adult Americans -- that's almost one in five of us -- are now non-religious.

The Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation was quick to leap on the fact that they are now in the majority. The findings may not rival the "Great Awakening," but the United States is clearly in the midst of a "Gradual Awakening," and catching up with Europe's embrace of secularism, the group notes in a press release.

Some 29 percent of the new "Nones" are ages 18-29, and 41 percent are 30-49, the survey found. Nonreligious are the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population, according to a 2001 survey, which showed the nonreligious climbing from 8.2 percent in 1990 to 14.1 percent. The religiously-affiliated have declined overall, but since 2001, more than 4.7 million Americans have joined the ranks of the Nones.

"The United States of America started as a proudly rebellious nation. We are now turning our prized disrespect for authority to religion," states the group. "It's 'Downward, Christian Soldiers' and 'Forward, Godless America!'"

Throwing Stones: Randy Koschnick saw his glass house dented a bit last week.

The Jefferson County judge, who is running against state Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson in April, previously criticized Abrahamson for taking money from those dreaded trial lawyers and still hearing cases.

Koschnick's own campaign seems to be doing the same thing, a little opposition research found.

Koschnick has heard 1,830 cases involving 19 lawyers who made contributions to his prior judicial campaign, including 35 cases which are currently open, Abrahamson backers in the group One Wisconsin Now claim.

Koschnick has said he would recuse himself -- as should Abrahamson -- from cases brought to the court by campaign contributors. The group says he has 35 open cases in front of him with similar circumstances.

According to campaign finance reports, Koschnick received $10,345 in donations from non-family members to his campaign for Jefferson County circuit judge in 1999 and $1,345, or 13 percent, came from 19 attorneys who subsequently have had 1,830 cases before him since.

"Randy Koschnick heard over 1,800 cases from 19 attorneys who previously donated to his campaign," said Scot Ross, executive director for One Wisconsin Now.

"He even has 35 open cases, right now, before him from campaign donors. However you slice it, he has zero credibility on judicial ethics."

The contributions include one from David Wambach, former District Attorney of Jefferson County. Koschnick received a $50 campaign contribution from Wambach on Jan. 22, 1999. Koschnick went on to hear 1,186 cases in which Wambach was listed as the prosecuting attorney. Ten of these cases remain open.

One Wisconsin Now remains one of the few outside special interest groups showing interest in the Supreme Court race, in which Abrahamson is a heavy favorite.

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