If 9% of Americans don't believe in God, but only 3% are atheists, what are the other 6%?

Maybe weak Panentheists like me?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panentheism

Not enough energy to be atheists, I guess.

Maybe it's a matter of name attribution. Many theists get uncomfortable at the suggestion of God having a name. They believe in A God, but not necessarily 'God.'  They would prefer the term 'God' not be used as a proper noun, IOW.

So my guess is that the other 6 percent are theists of a more philosophically rigid variety (or miscounted agnostics).  As regards the latter, parenthetical point, I've encountered many atheists over the years who are not so bold as to say "God does not exist (an implied statement of faith in its own right devoid of some basis for the assumption)," but are more apt to leave the question open.

In any case, debate with atheists has taught me one important lesson: the definition is a bit murky. :-)

I can only offer my own perspective, but I do not like to give "God" a name because I don't believe "God" is a personified entity with desires, emotions, wishes to smite, etc.

Assigning a proper name to "God" would make as much sense as assigning a proper name to the ocean, the vacuum of space, or the electromagnetic spectrum.

Atheists.

You don't believe in GOD - Atheist.  You don't know if there IS a GOD?   Agnostic.

You don't believe in GOD there is only one answer. Atheist.  Period.  and AMEN.

Provided such entity doesn't assume, possess or assert 'creative potential,' you'd be right. :-)

Be that as it may the whole controversy reminds me of two programs on a holodeck arguing over whether 'the Pickard' exists. Until He calls for the arch, the debate will forever remain open-ended. :-)

Well now, lessee.  What if I don't believe God exists, but I'm not certain of the accuracy of my analysis?  How should I answer?  Am I an agno-atheist? :-)

Panentheism is a mighty big umbrella.  There are multiple variations on (or 'sects' within) the theme; Christian Panentheists are prolly the most common (like gnostics and, I suspect, Saints John and Paul), but there are Jewish Panentheists, Buddhist Panentheists, etc. as well.  This should go without saying, but alas...

Some might not look at themselves as atheists. I found this an article describing seven types of non-belivers:

1. Atheist

2. Anti-theist

3. Agnostic

4. Skeptic

5. Freethinker

6. Humanist

7. Pantheist

Link for the article with more to each of the seven types: http://www.alternet.org/story/155685/no_religion_7_types_of_non-believers

I don't agree.

Excellent response!

Thank you. I define myself as non-believer but haven't found any reason to define it any closer. I respect that others might believe in God(s). It might be helping them in their ways looking at life. It doesn't for me.

Atheist

Sharonna you are completely right.

Wrong.

Atheist. If you don't believe in God or a god, that is the definition of atheist.
The other 6℅ perhaps are not comfortable calling themselves that but regardless that is the meaning.
If I ask "What color is that?" People may say: blue, indigo, sky, royal blue, powder blue, cyan, cobalt etc. While all are correct in clarifying wthe type of color, they are all still Blue.

Atheism isn't an overall conceptualisation for non-believers... Non-believers is such overall conceptualisation, and atheism is one of the types among others.

It might help you simplifying it like you do, and you're free to do so. It doesn't make it more right though. Atheism is nothing more than a shade of blue, indigo, Sky, Royal or which one you prefer.

No, Atheism is the Blue...the other names non-theist, pantheist, skeptic etc are the shades. Because all of those have in common the disbelief in a god/deity which is the definition of an Atheist.

Wrongly interpreted. That's what makes them being non-believers. Not atheists necessarily.

The invisible Atheist!

I think at least part of the reason for the disparity can be found here.

http://www.pewforum.org/2014/07/16/how-americans-feel-about-religious-groups/

People who don't wish to identify as atheist.

Many in the atheist community don't just assert that theism is false. They believe it is toxic to the culture and should be actively opposed.

Some might disbelieve, but stop short of asserting that others shouldn't believe either and therefore not wish to associate themselves with those that do.

Nope, given we talk about believing in a religious context here, it's non-believers and there will be different types. Look up my reply to the OP.