Atheist Population

From Conservapedia

Jump to: navigation, search

In respect to the atheist population of the world, there have been many studies in regards to the atheist demographics and in regards to the percentage of atheists in various geographic areas. Concerning the atheist population as a percentage of various countries' populations, specific research on atheists conducted in 2006 suggests that the true proportion of atheists is 4% in the United States, 17% in Great Britain and 32% in France. However, how one defines atheist can skew the results of polls (see: Definition of atheism). For example, in 2008, the American Religious Indentification Survey (ARIS) reported 1.6% of Americans self-identified themselves as atheists. [1] In 2007, Pew Forum estimated that 1.6% of Americans are atheists.[2]

Financial Times (FT)/Harris Poll among adults in 5 countries in 2006

A survey published in the 2005 Encyclopedia Britannica stated that 2.3% of the world's population consists of individuals who profess "atheism, skepticism, disbelief, or irreligion, including the militantly antireligious."[3] In regards to the 2.3% figure just mentioned, the 2005 survey cited by Encyclopedia Britannica survey did not include Buddhist in regards to the 2.3% figure and Buddhism can be theistic or atheistic.[4][5] Ipsos, a major global market research company, published a report on report on religious belief/skepticism from a worlwide perspective and the report provides various statistics gained from survey results.

Contents

Global decline of atheism

See also: Global atheism

Global atheism is in decline in terms of the number of its adherents and the grassroots Question evolution! campaign by Creation Ministries International could certainly accelerate this decline.[6]

In 2012, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (GCTS) reported that globally every day there are 800 less atheists per day, 1,100 less non-religious (agnostic) people per day and 83,000 more people professing to be Christians per day.[7][8]

In 2011, the American Spectator citing research published in the International Bulletin of Missionary Research reported that atheism is on the decline as a whole in terms of adherents.[9]

The American Spectator declared:

“ The report estimates about 80,000 new Christians every day, 79,000 new Muslims every day, and 300 fewer atheists every day. These atheists are presumably disproportionately represented in the West, while religion is thriving in the Global South, where charismatic Christianity is exploding."[10] ”
Dr. Carl Wieland is the Managing Director of Creation Ministries International

Decline of atheism in terms of global adherents is expected to accelerate

See also: Global atheism and Resources for leaving atheism and becoming a Christian

Eric Kaufmann, a professor at Birkbeck, University of London, using a a wealth of demographic studies argues the decline of atheism in terms of its global adherents is an established trend that will persist for the foreseeable future and the rate of decline will accelerate.[11][12][13][14] In addition, Kaufmann argues that religious conservatism has a long term trend of rising and that their influence in the world will significantly increase.[15] Kaufmann is author of the book Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?.[16][17] In the Western World due to immigration and the higher birth rates of religious people, Kaufman writes: "Committed religious populations are growing in the West, and will reverse the march of secularism before 2050."[18]

In addition, currently the Western World population is aging in terms of its demographic makeup, particularly in secular Europe, and it has been found that belief in God grows as a person's death nears.[19][20]

Demographics and the expected decline of American secularism

See also: American atheism

In 2007, a Pew Forum survey found that the atheist population in the United States was 1.6% of the American population.[21]

The Birkbeck College, University of London professor Eric Kaufman wrote in his 2010 book Shall the Righteous Inherit the Earth? concerning America:

“ High evangelical fertility rates more than compensated for losses to liberal Protestant sects during the twentieth century. In recent decades, white secularism has surged, but Latino and Asian religious immigration has taken up the slack, keeping secularism at bay. Across denominations, the fertility advantage of religious fundamentalists of all colours is significant and growing. After 2020, their demographic weight will begin to tip the balance in the culture wars towards the conservative side, ramping up pressure on hot-button issues such as abortion. By the end of the century, three quarters of America may be pro-life. Their activism will leap over the borders of the 'Redeemer Nation' to evangelize the world. Already, the rise of the World Congress of Families has launched a global religious right, its arms stretching across the bloody lines of the War on Terror to embrace the entire Abrahamic family.[22] ”

Question evolution! campaign

See also: Question evolution! campaign and Atheists doubting the validity of atheism

The Question evolution! campaign by Creation Ministries International could further accelerate the decline of atheism. Since World War II a majority of the most prominent and vocal defenders of the theory of evolution which employs methodological naturalism have been atheists.[23] In 2011, a campaign called the Question evolution! campaign was launched by the biblical creation organization Creation Ministries International which is a worldwide "grass-roots movement to challenge the anti-Christian dogma of evolution".[24] The focus of the Question evolution! campaign is on "15 questions that evolutionists cannot satisfactorily answer."[25] The 15 questions posed to evolutionists (and undecided individuals) can be found HERE The campaign will be primarily conducted in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and South Africa.[26]

Male and female demographic imbalances

See also: Atheism and women

Surveys by country

In November of 2010, Discover Magazine published survey results published by the World Values Survey which showed significant differences between the percentage of men and women who are atheists for various countries.[27]

United States surveys

A 2008 study by Trinity College found that women are significantly more religious than men in America.[28] In 2007, the Pew Research Center found that American women were more religious than American men.[29]

See Also

v • d • e
Atheism
Atheism • Academics • Quotes • Bestiality • Christianity • Debate • Evolution • Atheism and the suppression of science • Atheism 3.0 • Mass Murder • Mental and Physical Health • Miracles • Morality • Uncharitableness • Agnosticism • Deception • The Bible • The Problem of Evil • Agenda • Population • Atheism and women • Brights Movement • Causes • Definitions • Evangelical atheist • Ex-atheists • Faith Freedom International • Godless: The Church of Liberalism‎ • Godless liberal • His Dark Materials • History • Internet Infidels • Liberalism • Militancy • New Atheism • Videos • Skeptics Annotated Bible • Strong atheism • The God Delusion • There Are No Atheists In Foxholes • Weak atheism 

External Links

Referemces

  1. ↑ http://b27.cc.trincoll.edu/weblogs/AmericanReligionSurvey-ARIS/reports/ARIS_Report_2008.pdf
  2. ↑ Pew Forum - 2007 - Key findings on religious belief in America
  3. ↑ http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9432620
  4. ↑ http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/beliefs/atheism.htm
  5. ↑ http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9432620
  6. ↑ Thriving Christianity
  7. ↑ Globally the worldviews of atheism and non-religious (agnostic) are declining while global Christianity is exploding in adherents
  8. ↑ Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary - Status of Global Missions
  9. ↑ http://spectator.org/archives/2011/02/28/thriving-christianity
  10. ↑ http://spectator.org/archives/2011/02/28/thriving-christianity
  11. ↑ Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London
  12. ↑ Eric Kaufmann: Shall The Religious Inherit The Earth?
  13. ↑ Eric Kaufmann's Atheist Demographic series
  14. ↑ Eric Kaufmann: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
  15. ↑ [http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London]
  16. ↑ Shall the religious inherit the earth by David Kaufmann
  17. ↑ Early paper - Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London
  18. ↑ Early paper - Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London
  19. ↑ Belief in God grows as mortality nears, survey says
  20. ↑ [http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2008/03/the-demographic-winter-and-the The Demographic Winter and the Barren Left
  21. ↑ 2007 Pew Forum report
  22. ↑ Why are 2012 and 2020 key years for Christian creationists and pro-lifers?
  23. ↑
  24. ↑ Question evolution! campaign
  25. ↑ Question evolution! campaign
  26. ↑ http://creation.com/question-evolution
  27. ↑ Sex differences in global atheism, part N
  28. ↑ http://www.americanreligionsurvey-aris.org/reports/NONES_08.pdf
  29. ↑ http://www.livescience.com/culture/090227-religion-men-women.html
Retrieved from "http://www.conservapedia.com/Atheist_Population"
Personal tools