That comment might be in the context of Germany, where people generally don't seem to get wrapped up in religious identity to the extent that they do in the US.
From what I saw living there, many Germans don't set foot in a church outside of Christmas and Easter. I sure would like to have federal holidays for all those Catholic saint's days like they do in Bavaria, though...
People don't need to be religious for religion to be part of their identity. Many german atheists still identify with one of the two main churches even when they don't have the smallest trace of belief in them. After centuries of highly formalized coexistence, the lutheran and catholic churches have become subtle but deeply rooted parts of regional identities.
From what I saw living there, many Germans don't set foot in a church outside of Christmas and Easter. I sure would like to have federal holidays for all those Catholic saint's days like they do in Bavaria, though...