A sort of interesting slideshow at Slate, examing the architecture of Lakewood, Crystal Cathedral, Willow Creek, a new LDS structure in Salt Lake City, and the LA Cathedral. He actually gives the Crystal Cathedral props for being the most religiously evocative of the lot.

What he misses, I think , (and given that this piece is really extended captions on photos, not an essay..understandable), is the motivation behind the stripped-down, non-religiously identifiable styles. What is going on in American religion, particularly Protestantism,  that makes it desirable to construct a church with no religious symbols and a gathering space called an auditorium, rather than a sanctuary?  How does this reflect both traditional Protestant concerns, but at the same time, take them further and incorporate suburban sensibilities and expectations of church?