Changes

[[File:Jacques Berlinerblau.jpg|thumbnail|200px|left|In 2011, atheist [[Jacques Berlinerblau]] declared: "The Golden Age of [[Secularism]] has passed."<ref>Berlinerblau, Jacques (February 4, 2011).  [http://chronicle.com/blogs/brainstorm/obama-at-the-national-prayer-breakfast-raging-christ-fest-secular-wake/31816 "Obama at the National Prayer Breakfast"].  The Chronicle of Higher Education/Brainstorm blog.  Retrieved on May 29, 2015.</ref>]]

[[File:Jacques Berlinerblau.jpg|thumbnail|200px|left|In 2011, atheist [[Jacques Berlinerblau]] declared: "The Golden Age of [[Secularism]] has passed."<ref>Berlinerblau, Jacques (February 4, 2011).  [http://chronicle.com/blogs/brainstorm/obama-at-the-national-prayer-breakfast-raging-christ-fest-secular-wake/31816 "Obama at the National Prayer Breakfast"].  The Chronicle of Higher Education/Brainstorm blog.  Retrieved on May 29, 2015.</ref>]]

On July 24, 2013, ''CNS News'' reported:

On July 24, 2013, ''CNS News'' reported:

{{cquote|[[Atheism]] is in [[Global atheism|decline worldwide]], with the number of atheists falling from 4.5% of the world’s population in 1970 to 2.0% in 2010 and projected to drop to 1.8% by 2020, according to a new report by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Mass."<ref>http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/global-study-atheists-decline-only-18-world-population-2020 Global Study: Atheists in Decline, Only 1.8% of World Population by 2020]</ref>}}

{{cquote|[[Atheism]] is in [[Global atheism|decline worldwide]], with the number of atheists falling from 4.5% of the world’s population in 1970 to 2.0% in 2010 and projected to drop to 1.8% by 2020, according to a new report by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Mass."<ref>[http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/global-study-atheists-decline-only-18-world-population-2020 Global Study: Atheists in Decline, Only 1.8% of World Population by 2020]</ref>}}

[[Eric Kaufmann]] is a professor of politics at Birkbeck, University of London and author. His academic research specialty is how demographic changes affect religion/irreligion and politics.

[[Eric Kaufmann]] is a professor of politics at Birkbeck, University of London and author. His academic research specialty is how demographic changes affect religion/irreligion and politics.

In April of 2010, Kaufmann, who is an [[agnosticism|agnostic]], declared "the rate of secularisation has flattened to zero in most of [[Protestantism|Protestant]] [[Europe]] and [[France]]."<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2013/03/british-academic-eric-kaufmann-says.html British academic Eric Kaufmann says "the rate of secularisation has flattened to zero in most of Protestant Europe and France". Also, Kaufmann writes that secularism "appears exhausted and lacking in confidence"]</ref> Kaufmann also declared that [[secularism]] "appears exhausted and lacking in confidence".<ref>[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]</ref> In April of 2012, French scholars reported that [[evangelicalism|evangelical Christianity]] was likely the fastest growing religion in France.<ref>[http://www.csmonitor.com/World/2012/0712/In-a-France-suspicious-of-religion-evangelicalism-s-message-strikes-a-chord France and evangelicalism - Christian Post]</ref>

In April 2010, Kaufmann, who is an [[agnosticism|agnostic]], declared "the rate of secularisation has flattened to zero in most of [[Protestantism|Protestant]] [[Europe]] and [[France]]."<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2013/03/british-academic-eric-kaufmann-says.html British academic Eric Kaufmann says "the rate of secularisation has flattened to zero in most of Protestant Europe and France". Also, Kaufmann writes that secularism "appears exhausted and lacking in confidence"]</ref> Kaufmann also declared that [[secularism]] "appears exhausted and lacking in confidence".<ref>[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]</ref> In April 2012, French scholars reported that [[evangelicalism|evangelical Christianity]] was likely the fastest growing religion in France.<ref>[http://www.csmonitor.com/World/2012/0712/In-a-France-suspicious-of-religion-evangelicalism-s-message-strikes-a-chord France and evangelicalism - Christian Post]</ref>

One of the steepest declines of atheism that is expected to occur is in [[China]] which currently has the largest atheist population in the world. China is experiencing a rapid growth of theologically [[conservative]] [[Christianity]] which will have a significant effect on the global atheist population.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2014/04/7-reasons-why-chinese-creationist.html 10 reasons why biblical Christianity will flood the UK in the 21st century]</ref>  

One of the steepest declines of atheism that is expected to occur is in [[China]] which currently has the largest atheist population in the world. China is experiencing a rapid growth of theologically [[conservative]] [[Christianity]] which will have a significant effect on the global atheist population.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2014/04/7-reasons-why-chinese-creationist.html 10 reasons why biblical Christianity will flood the UK in the 21st century]</ref>  

This task will arguably become far more difficult as the supply of nominal Christians dries up while more secularisation-resistant Muslims and committed rump Christians comprise an increasing share of the population.<ref>[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]</ref>}}

This task will arguably become far more difficult as the supply of nominal Christians dries up while more secularisation-resistant Muslims and committed rump Christians comprise an increasing share of the population.<ref>[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]</ref>}}

See also: [[Atheism vs. Islam#Investor's Business Daily on the flood of Muslim immigrants to Europe|Investor's Business Daily on the flood of Muslim immigrants to Europe]]

{{See also|Atheism vs. Islam#Investor's Business Daily on the flood of Muslim immigrants to Europe|l1=Investor's Business Daily on the flood of Muslim immigrants to Europe}}

===  Religious immigrants to Europe resistant to secularization ===

===  Religious immigrants to Europe resistant to secularization ===

Due to religious immigrants, many of whom are [[evangelicalism|evangelical Christians]], church attendance in Greater [[London]] grew by 16% between 2005 and 2012.<ref>[http://www.brin.ac.uk/news/2013/london-churchgoing-and-other-news/ London Churchgoing and Other News]</ref>  In 2013, it was reported that 52% of people who attended church in London attended evangelical churches.<ref>[http://www.brin.ac.uk/news/2013/london-churchgoing-and-other-news/ London Churchgoing and Other News]</ref>   

Due to religious immigrants, many of whom are [[evangelicalism|evangelical Christians]], church attendance in Greater [[London]] grew by 16% between 2005 and 2012.<ref>[http://www.brin.ac.uk/news/2013/london-churchgoing-and-other-news/ London Churchgoing and Other News]</ref>  In 2013, it was reported that 52% of people who attended church in London attended evangelical churches.<ref>[http://www.brin.ac.uk/news/2013/london-churchgoing-and-other-news/ London Churchgoing and Other News]</ref>   

On December 14th, 2009, the British newspaper ''The Telegraph'' reported:

On December 14, 2009, the British newspaper ''The Telegraph'' reported:

{{cquote|According to the Mail Evangelical Christianity is on the rise.

{{cquote|According to the Mail Evangelical Christianity is on the rise.

== WIN/Gallup International studies on global atheism/religion ==

== WIN/Gallup International studies on global atheism/religion ==

The 2012 WIN/Gallup International Global Index of Religion & Atheism study was rightfully criticized for its methodology and accuracy.<ref>[http://churchintoronto.blogspot.com/2012/08/global-atheism-on-rise-really.html GLOBAL ATHEISM ON THE RISE--REALLY?] by Nigel Tomes</ref><ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/08/another-major-flaw-found-in-survey.html Another major flaw found in a survey which claimed global atheism is rising]</ref>. The study claimed that global atheism was growing in terms of its percentage of adherents.

The 2012 WIN/Gallup International Global Index of Religion & Atheism study was rightfully criticized for its methodology and accuracy.<ref>[http://churchintoronto.blogspot.com/2012/08/global-atheism-on-rise-really.html GLOBAL ATHEISM ON THE RISE--REALLY?] by Nigel Tomes</ref><ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/08/another-major-flaw-found-in-survey.html Another major flaw found in a survey which claimed global atheism is rising]</ref> The study claimed that global atheism was growing in terms of its percentage of adherents.

However, even WIN/Gallup International now agrees that atheism is shrinking in terms of its global percentage of adherents (see: [[WIN/Gallup International studies on global atheism and religion]]).

However, even WIN/Gallup International now agrees that atheism is shrinking in terms of its global percentage of adherents (see: [[WIN/Gallup International studies on global atheism and religion]]).

== Financial instability and desecularization ==

== Financial instability and desecularization ==

Evangelical Christianity has grown quickly in many countries that were experiencing economic and political instability (for example, in several areas of [[Latin America]]).<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2013/05/economics-and-darwinismatheism.html Economics adn Darwinism]</ref> Given the [[Eurozone Crisis]] and the high indebtedness of many Western countries, [[conservative]] Mary Eberstadt believes that a coming imploding [[welfare state]] could cause some Western societies to shift more to a focus of faith and family and spark a religious revival. <ref>[http://www.rightwingnews.com/interviews/an-interview-with-mary-eberstadt-on-her-new-book-how-the-west-really-lost-god-a-new-theory-of-secularization/ An Interview With Mary Eberstadt On Her New Book “How the West Really Lost God: A New Theory of Secularization”], interview by [[John Hawkins]].</ref>

Evangelical Christianity has grown quickly in many countries that were experiencing economic and political instability (for example, in several areas of [[Latin America]]).<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2013/05/economics-and-darwinismatheism.html Economics adn Darwinism]</ref> Given the [[Eurozone Crisis]] and the high indebtedness of many Western countries, [[conservative]] Mary Eberstadt believes that a coming imploding [[welfare state]] could cause some Western societies to shift more to a focus of faith and family and spark a religious revival.<ref>[http://www.rightwingnews.com/interviews/an-interview-with-mary-eberstadt-on-her-new-book-how-the-west-really-lost-god-a-new-theory-of-secularization/ An Interview With Mary Eberstadt On Her New Book “How the West Really Lost God: A New Theory of Secularization”], interview by [[John Hawkins]].</ref>

== Postsecularism ==

== Postsecularism ==

sustained challenge in its long history. Critics point to multiple indicators of religious health and vitality today, ranging from the continued popularity of churchgoing in the United States to the emergence of New Age spirituality in Western Europe, the growth in fundamentalist movements and religious parties in the Muslim world, the evangelical revival sweeping through Latin America, and the upsurge of ethno-religious conflict in international affairs3. After reviewing these developments, [[Peter L. Berger]], one of the foremost advocates of secularization during the 1960s, recanted his earlier claims: “The world today, with some exceptions…is as furiously religious as it ever was, and in some places more so than ever. This means that a whole body of literature by historians and social scientists loosely labeled ‘secularization theory’ is essentially mistaken.” In a fierce and sustained critique, Rodney Stark and Roger Finke suggest it is time to bury the secularization thesis: “After nearly three centuries of utterly failed prophesies and misrepresentations of both present and past, it seems time to carry the secularization doctrine to the graveyard of failed theories, and there to whisper ‘requiescat in pace.’”<ref>[http://www.hks.harvard.edu/fs/pnorris/Acrobat/Sacred_and_Secular/Chapter%201.pdf ''The Secularization Debate'']</ref>}}

sustained challenge in its long history. Critics point to multiple indicators of religious health and vitality today, ranging from the continued popularity of churchgoing in the United States to the emergence of New Age spirituality in Western Europe, the growth in fundamentalist movements and religious parties in the Muslim world, the evangelical revival sweeping through Latin America, and the upsurge of ethno-religious conflict in international affairs3. After reviewing these developments, [[Peter L. Berger]], one of the foremost advocates of secularization during the 1960s, recanted his earlier claims: “The world today, with some exceptions…is as furiously religious as it ever was, and in some places more so than ever. This means that a whole body of literature by historians and social scientists loosely labeled ‘secularization theory’ is essentially mistaken.” In a fierce and sustained critique, Rodney Stark and Roger Finke suggest it is time to bury the secularization thesis: “After nearly three centuries of utterly failed prophesies and misrepresentations of both present and past, it seems time to carry the secularization doctrine to the graveyard of failed theories, and there to whisper ‘requiescat in pace.’”<ref>[http://www.hks.harvard.edu/fs/pnorris/Acrobat/Sacred_and_Secular/Chapter%201.pdf ''The Secularization Debate'']</ref>}}

Harvard University's Samuel Huntington observed: "The late 20th century has seen the global resurgence of religions around the world" (''The Clash of Civilizations'', p. 64).<ref>[http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/magazines/2005/november-december/the-return-of-religion The Return of Religion]</ref>

Harvard University's Samuel Huntington observed: "The late 20th century has seen the global resurgence of religions around the world" (''The Clash of Civilizations'', p.&nbsp;64).<ref>[http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/magazines/2005/november-december/the-return-of-religion The Return of Religion]</ref>

[[Alister McGrath]] points out that many [[Atheism|atheists]]/[[agnosticism|agnostics]] were angry that the secularization thesis failed because religion was "supposed to" disappear. <ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=creNs9-Ui6A 'Why God Won't Go Away'] by Alister McGrath</ref> Peter Berger said that the religiosity of the United States was a big exception to the secularization theory that should have caused social scientists to question the theory.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHlDyR102G8 Professor Peter Berger on Resurgence of Religion and Decline of Secularization Theory]</ref>

[[Alister McGrath]] points out that many [[Atheism|atheists]]/[[agnosticism|agnostics]] were angry that the secularization thesis failed because religion was "supposed to" disappear.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=creNs9-Ui6A 'Why God Won't Go Away'] by Alister McGrath</ref> Peter Berger said that the religiosity of the United States was a big exception to the secularization theory that should have caused social scientists to question the theory.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHlDyR102G8 Professor Peter Berger on Resurgence of Religion and Decline of Secularization Theory]</ref>

=== Failed assumptions and the shock of secular social scientists to a failed theory ===

=== Failed assumptions and the shock of secular social scientists to a failed theory ===

See also: [[Baylor University researchers on American Christianity]] and [[American atheism]]

See also: [[Baylor University researchers on American Christianity]] and [[American atheism]]

In November of 2015, the ''Christian Post'' reported

In November 2015, the ''Christian Post'' reported

{{cquote|Distinguished scholars from Baylor University on Tuesday decried the myth that religion is on the decline in America and argued that it's actually growing and is stronger than ever.

{{cquote|Distinguished scholars from Baylor University on Tuesday decried the myth that religion is on the decline in America and argued that it's actually growing and is stronger than ever.

{{reflist|2}}

{{reflist|2}}

[[Category: Desecularization]]

[[Category:Desecularization]]

[[Category:Atheism]]

[[Category:Atheism]]

[[Category: Religion]]

[[Category:Religion]]