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Line 1,252: − + − + − + − === Recent studies ===+ − + − + − ==== Surveys by country ====+ + + − In November 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 with men outnumbering women within the [[Atheist Population|atheist population]].<ref>Khan, Razib (November 18, 2010). [http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2010/11/sex-differences-in-global-atheism-part-n/ "Gene expression; "Sex differences in global atheism, part N"]. Discover magazine website.</ref> See also: [[Atheism and women]]+ + + − ==== United States surveys ====+ − In 2015, ''BloombergView'' reported concerning the [[United States]]: "According to a much-discussed 2012 report from the Pew Research Center on Religion and Public Life, ...women are 52 percent of the U.S. population but only 36 percent of atheists and agnostics.<ref name=agap>Carter, Stephen L. (March 27, 2015). [http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-03-27/the-atheism-gap "The atheism gap"]. BloombergView website.</ref>+ − A 2009 article in LiveScience.com entitled ''Women More Religious Than Men'' reported: "A new analysis of survey data finds women pray more often then men, are more likely to believe in God, and are more religious than men in a variety of other ways...The latest findings, released Friday, are no surprise, only confirming what other studies have found for decades.<ref name=Britt>Britt, Robert Roy (February 28, 2009). [http://www.livescience.com/7689-women-religious-men.html "Women more religious than men"]. Livescience.</ref> In 2007, the Pew Research Center found that American women were more religious than American men.<ref name=Britt/>+ − ==== Survey: Freedom From Religion Foundation ====+ − + − {{cquote|From the smallest local meetings to the largest conferences, the vast majority of speakers and attendees are almost always white men. Leading figures of the atheist movement — Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens and [[Daniel Dennett]] — are all white men. − But making atheism more diverse is proving to be no easy task.+ − Surveys suggest most atheists are white men. A recent survey of 4,000 members of the Freedom from Religion Foundation found that 95 percent were white, and men comprised a majority.<ref>MacDonald, G. Jeffrey (2011). [http://blog.beliefnet.com/news/2011/01/atheists-diversity-woes-have-n.php "Atheists’ diversity woes have no black-and-white answers"]. Beliefnet.</ref>}}+ − For more information, please see:+ − + − + − === Sam Harris on atheism/women ===+ − In 2014, the prominent new atheist Sam Harris said that atheist activism lacks an “[[estrogen]] vibe” and was “to some degree intrinsically male”.<ref name="Lee"/> Due feminist atheist backlash, Harris wrote a long blog post indicating that his comments were taken out of context.<ref>Harris, Sam (September 15, 2014). [http://www.samharris.org/blog/item/im-not-the-sexist-pig-youre-looking-for “I’m not the sexist pig you’re looking for”]. Sam Harris. See Sam Harris.</ref>+ − === Atheism and sexism ===+ − Most atheists are politically on the [[leftist|left]] (see: [[Atheism and politics]] and [[Secular left]]). Part of leftist ideology is [[feminism]]. However, there is a significant amount of [[misogyny]] among atheists (see: [[Atheism and women]]). + − Atheist women currently experience a considerable amount of [[sexism]] and harassment from atheist men. For example, in 2014, the prominent atheist PZ Myers said of fellow new atheist Richard Dawkins' attitude towards women: "At a time when our movement needs to expand its reach, it’s a tragedy that our most eminent spokesman has so enthusiastically expressed such a regressive attitude.”<ref name="Lee">Lee, Adam (September 18, 2014). [http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/18/richard-dawkins-sexist-atheists-bad-name "Richard Dawkins has lost it: ignorant sexism gives atheists a bad name"]. The Guardian website.</ref> + − For more information please see: + − *[[Atheism and sexism]]+ − + − *[[Sexual harassment at atheist conferences]]+ − *[[Elevatorgate]]+ − *[[Richard Dawkins and women]]+ − + + + + + + − + − See: [[Atheist feminism]]+ − == Atheism and marriage/relationships ==+ − ''See also:'' [[Atheism and marriage]] and [[Atheism and illegitimate births]] + − + − ''See also:'' [[Atheism and marriageability]] and [[Atheism and women]]+ − The Christian apologist Michael Caputo wrote: "Recently the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life has published its mammoth study on Religion in America based on 35,000 interviews... According to the Pew Forum a whopping 37% of atheists never marry as opposed to 19% of the American population, 17% of Protestants and 17% of Catholics."<ref name="marry"/>+ − + − For more information please see: [[Atheism and marriageability]]+ − + − See: [[Atheist marriages]]+ − + − See: [[Atheism and divorce]]+ + − === Atheism and interfaith marriages ===+ − * [[Atheism and interfaith marriages]]+ − * [[Prominent atheists whose wives believe in the existence of God]]+ − === Atheism and its inability to explain love ===+ − See also: [[Atheism and love]] and [[Atheism and forgiveness]]+ − From a [[Metaphysics|metaphysical]], moral and spiritual perspective, atheists have an inability to satisfactorily explain the existence of [[love]].<ref name=love/> See: [[Atheism and love]]+ − === Atheism and sexuality ===+ − ''See also:'' [[Atheism and sexuality]] and [[Atheism and romance]] and [[Atheism and fertility rates]]+ − Research shows that religious women (especially [[evangelicalism|evangelical]]/low-church [[Protestantism|Protestant]] women) are more sexually satisfied than irreligious women.<ref>The Social Organization of Sexuality: Sexual Practices in the United States By Edward O. Laumann, John H. Gagnon, Robert T. Michael, Stuart Michaels, page 115</ref><ref>[http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2008/11/25/the-christian-sexual-awakening.html Why Are Christians Having Better Sex Than the Rest of Us?] by Tucker Carlson, The Daily Beast, November 11, 25, 2008</ref><ref>[http://blog.getrelationshiphelp.com/2009/07/christian-women-have-more-sexual-fun.html Christian Women Have More Sexual Fun], Relationship Center in Springfield Missouri</ref>+ − A social science study also reports that Hispanic men are more sexually satisfied than other ethnic groups in the United States.<ref>The Social Organization of Sexuality: Sexual Practices in the United States By Edward O. Laumann, John H. Gagnon, Robert T. Michael, Stuart Michaels, page 114</ref> + − Hispanics are known for their religiosity (See also: [[Western atheism and race]]). − In addition, the atheist and agnostic populations have sub-replacement levels of fertility (see: [[Atheism and sexuality]] and [[Atheism and romance]]).+ − == Western atheism and race ==+ − − Hutchinson also mentioned that church organizations significantly help poor African-Americans.<ref name="washingtonpost.com"/> See also: [[Atheism and charity|Atheism and uncharitableness]] ]]+ − ''See also:'' [[Western atheism and race]] and [[Black atheism]] and [[Atheism and diversity]] − === Atheism and race: United States and Europe ===+ − In 2015, ''BloombergView'' reported:+ − {{cquote|According to a much-discussed 2012 report from the Pew Research Center on Religion and Public Life, only 3 percent of U.S. atheists and agnostics are black, 6 percent are Hispanic, and 4 percent are Asian. Some 82 percent are white. (The relevant figures for the population at large at the time of the survey were 66 percent white, 11 percent black, 15 percent Hispanic, 5 percent Asian.) − ...Craig Keener, in his huge review of claims of miracles in a wide variety of cultures, concludes that routine rejection of the possibility of the [[supernatural]] represents an impulse that is [[Secular Europe|deeply Eurocentric]].<ref name=agap/>}}+ − At the same time, due to immigration, Europe is expected to become [[desecularization|more desecularized]] in the 21st century (See also: [[Global atheism]] and [[Atheist population]]).+ − + − As note earlier, an atheists' meeting was organized in the [[United States]] concerning the future direction of the atheist movement and 370 people attended. The conference, sponsored by the Council for Secular Humanism, drew members from all the major atheist organizations in the United States. The ''[[New York Times]]'' described the attendees as "The largely white and male crowd — imagine a [[Star Trek]] convention, but older..."<ref>Oppenheimer, Mark (October 15, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/16/us/16beliefs.html "Atheists debate how pushy to be"]. Nytimes.com.</ref> According to the Quantcast data, white males appear to be the group of individuals who are most receptive to Richard Dawkins' and atheist Sam Harris' message.<ref>Multiple references:+ − *[http://www.quantcast.com/richarddawkins.net/demographics "Richarddawkins.net traffic and demographic statistics: US Demographics"]. Quαntcast. − *[http://www.quantcast.com/samharris.org/demographics "Samharris.org traffic and demographic statistics: US Demographics"]. Quαntcast.</ref> These findings, combined with the aforementioned data indicating that [[Atheism appears to be significantly less appealing to women|atheism is significantly less appealing to women]], suggests that atheist movement in the Western world and the New Atheism movement are significantly more appealing to white males. − + − + − According to Pew Research:+ − {{Cquote|At present, Jewish adults (ages 25 and older) have a global average of 13 years of formal schooling, compared with approximately nine years among Christians, eight years among Buddhists and six years among Muslims and Hindus. [[Nones|Religiously unaffiliated]] adults – those who describe their religion as atheist, agnostic or “nothing in particular” – have spent an average of nine years in school, a little less than Christian adults worldwide.<ref>[http://www.pewforum.org/2016/12/13/religion-and-education-around-the-world/ Religion and Education Around the World], Pew Research, 2016</ref>}} − In the [[United States]], religious belief is positively correlated to education; a study published in an academic journal titled the ''Review of Religious Research'' demonstrated that increased education is correlated with belief in God and that "education positively affects religious participation, devotional activities, and emphasizing the importance of religion in daily life."<ref>Multiple references:+ − * Schwadel, Philip (2011). [http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs13644-011-0007-4 "The effects of education on Americans’ religious practices, beliefs, and affiliations" [abstract].] ''Review of Religious Research'' 53:2. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13644-011-0007-4 DOI:10.1007/s13644-011-0007-4]. "(2) [E]ducation positively affects religious participation, devotional activities, and emphasizing the importance of religion in daily life; (3) education positively affects switching religious affiliations, particularly to a mainline Protestant denomination, but not disaffiliation; (4) education is positively associated with questioning the role of religion in secular society but not with support for curbing the public opinions of religious leaders; and (5) the effects of education on religious beliefs and participation vary across religious traditions. Education does influence Americans’ religious beliefs and activities, but the effects of education on religion are complex." Abstract retrieved from link.springer.com, July 16, 2014. − *{{cite web|title=Study: more educated tend to be more religious, by some measures|author=Jim Kavanagh|date=11 August 2011|publisher=CNN|url=http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/11/study-more-educated-tend-to-be-more-religious-by-some-measures/|quote=‘With more years of education, you aren’t relatively more likely to say, “I don’t believe in God,”’ he said. ‘But you are relatively more likely to say, “I believe in a higher power.”’}} Retrieved July 17, 2014. See [[CNN]]. − *{{cite web|author=Daily Mail reporter|title=The more education people receive, the more religious they become?|date=12 August 2011|publisher=Daily Mail|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2025166/The-education-people-receive-religious-become.html|quote=By analyzing data from a large national survey, sociologist Philip Schwadel of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that people tend to become more religious—by certain definitions—as they further their education. The survey also qualified what concept of God or a 'higher power' individuals held, as well as whether they had any doubts. Mr Schwadel said that: 'With more years of education, you aren’t relatively more likely to say, "I don’t believe in God," but you are relatively more likely to say, "I believe in a higher power."'}} Retrieved July 17, 2014. See [[Daily Mail]]. − *{{cite web|author=Winkler, Amanda|title="More is more when it comes to education and religion", study says|date=13 August 2011|publisher=The Christian Post|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/who-is-more-religious-53865/|quote=Sociologist Philip Schwadel from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) studied this phenomenon. He discovered that people today tend to become more religious as they further their education.}} Retrieved July 17, 2014.</ref> − One of the reasons education is positively correlated with belief in God in the United States is that the [[demography|demographics]] of people attending higher education has shifted due to more women and southerners attending higher education (these two groups are more likely to be theists. See: [[Atheism and women]]).<ref>Bosmin, Barry (February 17, 2011). [http://www.scienceandreligiontoday.com/2011/02/17/why-do-we-believe-that-higher-education-leads-to-atheism-if-it-doesnt/ "Why do we believe that higher education leads to atheism if it doesn’t?"] Science + religion Today. Retrieved on July 27, 2014.</ref> + − Although atheistic indoctrination in school systems can have an effect on individuals (See: [[Atheist indoctrination]]), research indicates that social/economic insecurity often has a more significant impact.<ref>Ruiter, Stijn and van Tubergen, Frank (November 2009). "Religious attendance in cross-national perspective: a multilevel analysis of 60 countries". ''American Journal of Sociology'', vol. 115, no. 3, pp. 863-95.</ref>+ − + − *[[Atheist indoctrination]]+ − *[[Religiosity and the growing use of vouchers and homeschooling]]+ − + − [[File:Alister McGrath.jpg|right|thumb|175px|[[Alister McGrath]] ]] − ''See also:'' [[Atheism and academia]] − In 2001, the atheist and philosopher Quentin Smith declared:+ − {{cquote|[[Naturalism|Naturalists]] [atheists] passively watched as realist versions of [[theism]] … began to sweep through the philosophical community, until today perhaps one-quarter or one-third of philosophy professors are theists, with most being orthodox Christians…. God is not 'dead' in academia; he returned to life in the 1960's and is now alive and well in his last academic stronghold, philosophy departments."<ref>Craig, William Lane (2012).[http://www.reasonablefaith.org/theistic-critiques-of-atheism "Theistic critiques of atheism"]. Reasonable Faith. Retrieved on July 26, 2014. Unabridged version of article published 2007. See [[William Lane Craig]].</ref>}} − In 2004, Professor [[Alister McGrath]], professor of historical theology at Wycliffe Hall, [[Oxford University]] declared, "The golden age of atheism is over."<ref>Stewart, Marilyn (August 10, 2004). [http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?ID=18837 "Nobts’ Oxford Study Program spans notable lectures & historical sites"]. Baptist Press. Retrieved on July 26, 2014.</ref> − For more information please see:+ − + − + − + − *[[Atheism and intelligence]]+ − *[[Atheism and the brain]]+ − + − *[[Atheism statistics]]+ − *[[Christianity vs. atheism statistics]]+ − *[[Atheist population]]+ + − === Atheist movement and leadership ===+ − * [[Atheist movement]]+ + − * [[Atheism and leadership]]+ + − + − :''See main article: [[Atheist Population]]''+ + − Specific research on the worldwide [[Atheist Population|atheist population]] conducted in 2006 [http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/allnewsbydate.asp?NewsID=1131 suggests] that the true proportion of atheists is 4% in the United States, 17% in Great Britain and 32% in France. A survey published in the 2005 ''[[Encyclopedia Britannica]]'' declared that 2.3% of the world's population consists of individuals who profess "atheism, skepticism, disbelief, or irreligion, including the militantly antireligious." Concerning the 2.3% figure just mentioned, the 2005 survey cited by ''Encyclopedia Britannica'' survey did not include [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] in regards to the 2.3% figure and Buddhism can be [[Theism|theistic]] or atheistic.<ref>Anonymous (July 17, 2013). [http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/beliefs/atheism.htm "Is Buddhism atheistic?"] ReligionFacts.</ref>+ − + − + − [[File:Birkbeck College, University of London.jpg|right|thumbnail|200px|[[Eric Kaufmann]], a professor at [[Birkbeck College, University of London]], using a wealth of demographic studies, argues that there will be a significant decline of global atheism in the 21st century which will impact the [[Western World]].<ref name="sneps">Multiple references:+ − *Kaufmann, Eric. (2009 or aft.). [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"]. www.sneps.net. Paper similar to book ''Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth? Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century''. Publ. in unknown publication. ("Most observers accept that the aftermath...") + − + − − *[http://fora.tv/2010/09/05/Eric_Kaufmann_Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth "Eric Kaufmann: shall the religious inherit the earth?" [Festival of dangerous ideas 2010, Sydney Opera House]] (September 5, 2010). Fora.tv video, 1:03:56, posted by Australian Broadcasting Corporation.</ref> See: [[Desecularization]] ]] − ''See also:'' [[Global atheism]] and [[Desecularization]] and [[Atheist movement]] and [[Atheist Population]] + − === Global atheism: Predominant geographic areas ===+ − ''See also:'' [[Atheism and diversity]] and [[Atheism and culture]]+ + − The current [[atheist population]] mostly resides in East Asia (particularly China) and in secular Europe/Australia primarily among whites.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/23/a-surprising-map-of-where-the-worlds-atheists-live/ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live], By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey, ''Washington Post'', May 23, 2013</ref> See: [[Global atheism]] and [[Secular Europe]] and [[Western atheism and race]] + + + + + − Razib Khan points out in ''Discover Magazine'', "most [[secular]] nations in the world are those of East Asia, in particular what are often termed “[[Confucianism|Confucian]] societies.” It is likely therefore that the majority of the world’s atheists are actually East Asian."<ref>[http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2010/11/most-atheists-are-not-white/ Most atheists are not white & other non-fairy tales], Discover magazine</ref> See: [[Asian atheism]]+ − As far as the issue of [[diversity]] within the global atheist population, compared to Christianity, atheism has a significantly less degree of geographic/cultural, racial, gender and personal wealth diversity (see: [[Atheism and diversity]]).+ − ==== Atheism and specific regions ====+ − + − + − + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + − + − + − + − − === Global atheism statistics === − − *[[Global atheism statistics]] − − === Demoographics of atheism === − − [[Demography]] is the study of human populations, and is a major specialty in the disciplines of sociology, economics, history, geography, statistics and epidemiology. − − *[[Demographics of atheism]] − − === Decline of global atheism in the 21st century === − − ''See also:'' [[Desecularization]] − [[File: Blue Marble.jpg|200px|thumbnail|left|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.<ref name="cnsnews.com"/>]] − Atheists as a percentage of the world's population have declined since 1970 and [[global atheism]] is expected to face long term decline.<ref>Multiple references: − *Kumar, Anugrah (July 20, 2013). [http://www.christianpost.com/news/study-world-is-turning-more-religious-atheism-declining-100518/ "Study: world is turning more religious; atheism declining"]. The Christian Post. − *[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/05/globally-worldviews-of-atheism-and-non.html "Globally the worldviews of atheism and non-religious (agnostic) are declining while global Christianity is exploding in adherents"] (May 19, 2012). Question Evolution Campaign. − *Kaufmann, Eric (2009 or aft.). [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"]. www.sneps.net. Paper similar to book ''Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth? Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century''. Publ. in unknown publication. ("Most observers accept that the aftermath...") − *[http://www.gordonconwell.edu/resources/documents/StatusOfGlobalMission.pdf "Status of global mission, 2014, in the context of AD 1800–2025"] (2014). Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary website.</ref> See: [[Desecularization]] − − According to the ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]'', 2% of the world's population self-identifies as atheist and the average annual global change for atheism from 2000 to 2010 was −0.17%.<ref name="eb-2010">{{cite web|title=Religion: Year in Review 2010: Worldwide Adherents of All Religions|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1731588/Religion-Year-In-Review-2010/298437/Worldwide-Adherents-of-All-Religions|work=Encyclopædia Britannica Online|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica Inc.|accessdate=2013-11-21}}</ref> There is excellent research indicating that the percentage of atheists in the world is presently going down (see: [[Global atheism statistics]]). − − On July 24, 2013, ''CNS News'' reported: − {{cquote|Atheism is in 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>Chapman, Michael W. (July 24, 2013). [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"]. Cnsnews.com.</ref>}} − [[Desecularization]] is the process by which [[religion]] reasserts its societal influence though religious values, institutions, sectors of society and symbols in reaction to previous and/or co-occurring [[secularization]] processes.<ref name="China 2011, page 11"/> + − The 21st century is expected to be a time of the decline of atheism in terms of its global market share and religious conservatism/[[fundamentalism]] is expected to grow in both the developing world and [[Growth of evangelical Christianity#Evangelical Christianity and the developed world|in the developed world]] (see: [[Desecularization]]). There are a [[causes of desecularization|number of causes]] of desecularization in the developed world (and the world at large), but two of the primary causes are the [[Atheism and fertility rates|higher fertility rate]] of religious conservatives and immigration of the religious into developed countries.+ + + − === Causes of the global decline of atheism ===+ + − See: [[Causes of desecularization]]+ − === Growth of global desecularization ===+ + − + − − === Growth of evangelical Christianity in irreligious regions === − − See: [[Growth of evangelical Christianity in irreligious regions]] Line 1,638:
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[[File:Atheism.jpg|thumb|alt=atheism|right|200px|[[Portrait]] of [[Paul-Henri Thiry]], Baron d'Holbach (1723 - 1789) was an early advocate of atheism in [[Europe]]. ]]
[[File:Atheism.jpg|thumb|alt=atheism|right|200px|[[Portrait]] of [[Paul-Henri Thiry]], Baron d'Holbach (1723 - 1789) was an early advocate of atheism in [[Europe]]. ]]
'''Atheism''', as defined by the ''[[Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy]]'', the ''[[Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy]]'', and other [[philosophy]] reference works, is the denial of the existence of [[God]].<ref>Multiple references:
'''Atheism''', as defined by the ''[[Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy]]'', the ''[[Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy]]'', and other [[philosophy]] reference works, is the denial of the existence of [[God]].<ref>Multiple references:
=== Atheism and bestiality ===
=== Atheism and bestiality ===
See: [[Atheism and bestiality]]
''See also:'' [[Atheism and bestiality]]
The atheist philosopher [[Peter Singer]] has defended the practice of [[bestiality]] and the atheist [[PZ Myers]] has indicated that bestiality is acceptable under certain circumstances.<ref>[http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2011/06/the-dangerous-mind-of-peter-singer ''The Dangerous Mind''] by Joe Carter, ''[[First Things]]''</ref><ref name="achilles">[http://templestream.blogspot.com/2012/08/atheist-achilles-heels-objective.html Atheist Achilles Heels: Objective Morality and Sacred Life]</ref><ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2012/05/22/the-objective-morality-gotcha/ The “objective morality” gotcha]</ref>
As far as [[secular Europe]], a 2015 ''Jerusalem Post'' article indicates "[[Copenhagen]] has for long been the bestiality capital of Europe and has attracted many tourists mainly visiting to have sex with animals. Legislation against this practice was only enacted this year."<ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Suggestions-for-the-anti-Semitic-slurs-list-434293 Suggestions for the anti-Semitic slurs list] by MANFRED GERSTENFELD, ''Jerusalem Post'', 2015</ref>
[[File:Peter Singer 2007.jpg|right|thumbnail|225px|The atheist philosopher [[Peter Singer]] defends the practice of [[bestiality]] (as well as [[abortion]], infanticide and [[euthanasia]]).
<br />
<br />
Despite holding these immoral views, [[Princeton University]] rewarded him with a bioethics chair.<ref>
*[http://creation.com/the-basis-of-a-christian-worldview The Basis of a Christian Worldview - Creation Ministries International]
*[http://creation.com/answer-to-philosophy-religion-professor-on-biblical-exegesis-and-the-problem-of-evil CMI answers philosophy/religion professor on biblical exegesis and the problem of evil]</ref>]]
''Vice News'', a global news channel which broadcasts documentaries about current topics, reported in 2014 about secular Europe:
{{cquote|Bestiality is having a weird renaissance in Europe. Perhaps ironically, it kicked off when activists succeeded in banning the practice in places like Germany and Norway. In the background, something else emerged simultaneously: an animal-sex-tourism industry, which has been blossoming in Denmark.<ref>[http://examiningatheism.blogspot.com/2016/08/the-problem-of-irreligious-engaging-in.html Secular Europe's weird bestiality renaissance]</ref>}}
Some European countries, especially the countries of Denmark, Germany and Sweden, after having received some negative publicity related to individuals engaging in bestiality, passed laws against the practice (see: [[Bestiality and various geographic areas]] and [[Bestiality and Sweden]] and [[Bestiality and Germany]]). In addition, the first "beststiality rights" organization was founded in secular Europe (see: [[Atheism and bestiality#The first "bestiality rights" organization was founded in secular Europe|The first "bestiality rights" organization was founded in secular Europe]]).
The website Health24 published an article entitled ''Bestiality is much, much more common than you think'' which states:
{{Cquote|You might think that bestiality has died out, or that it only happens on farms, or that it's illegal everywhere. You would be very, very, very wrong...
It would be naïve to suggest, though, that the problem disappeared after the laws changed. Even in situations where zoophilia is legal, it is still far from socially acceptable, and so those who indulge in it are used to keeping quiet. Instead, zoophiles tend to communicate and congregate through societies, like the Germany-based Zoophiles Engagement für Toleranz und Aufklrung [link made inactive], as well as dedicated websites which offer a judgement-free space to converse.
The largest such site, BeastForum, claims over 1.2 million registered members at the time of writing as well as more than that number again in unregistered visitors.<ref>[http://examiningatheism.blogspot.com/2016/08/the-problem-of-irreligious-engaging-in.html The problem of the irreligious engaging in bestiality may not have been largely solved!]</ref>}}
=== Atheism and cannibalism ===
=== Atheism and cannibalism ===
=== Atheism and obesity ===
=== Atheism and obesity ===
[[File:Stephen-Fry.jpg|thumbnail|250px|right|The atheist [[Stephen Fry]]. ]]
''See also:'' [[Atheism and obesity]] and [[Atheism and the fat acceptance movement]]
According to the [[Gallup Organization]], "Very religious Americans are more likely to practice healthy behaviors than those who are moderately religious or nonreligious."<ref name="Gallup">Newport, Frank, et al. (December 23, 2010). [http://www.gallup.com/poll/145379/Religious-Americans-Lead-Healthier-Lives.aspx "Very religious Americans lead healthier lives"]. Gallup.</ref> For more information please [[Atheism and obesity]]
Gallup declared concerning the study which measured the degree to which religiosity affects health practices: "[[Generalized linear model]] analysis was used to estimate marginal scores all five reported metrics after controlling for age (in years), gender, race/ethnicity, marital status, education (number of years), log of income, and region of the country... Results are based on telephone interviews conducted as part of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index survey Jan. 2-July 28, 2010, with a random sample of 554,066 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, selected using random-digit-dial sampling."<ref name="Gallup"/>
==== Atheistic China and obesity ====
{{See also|China and obesity}}
China has the world's largest atheist population.<ref>
*[http://www.thechapmans.nl/news/Atheist.pdf Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics (Zuckerman, 2005)]
*[http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/23/a-surprising-map-of-where-the-worlds-atheists-live/ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live], ''Washington Post'' By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey May 23, 2013</ref> In 2014, the ''Wall Street Journal'' reported that atheistic China has 300 million overweight individuals and it has the second highest obesity rate in the world.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgJvV62yD2E "Chubby China: nation of 300 million overweight people"] (May 30, 2014). YouTube video, 3:52, posted by Wall Street Journal.</ref>
According to a 2012 report by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of obese children in China has reached 120 million.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_yk-aM0cyk "Child obesity reaches 120 million in China"] (August 31, 2012). YouTube video, 1:37, posted by NTDTV.</ref> A recent study published in the ''Obesity Reviews'' journal, found that Chinese teenagers' rate of [[diabetes]] was four times that of their [[United States|American]] peers.<ref name="Pang Li">Li, Pang (September 14, 2012). [http://www.china.org.cn/china/2012-09/14/content_26521029.htm "Obesity is a growing concern in China"]. China.org.cn.</ref> Due to their past [[One-child Policy|one-child policy]], which had some exceptions, China now has a lot of over-pampered and over-fed children.<ref>Multiple references:
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yuf8yg0Dbig "Rising Chinese child obesity and fat camps"] (October 25, 2007). YouTube video, 6:38, posted by Journeyman Pictures.
*Burkitt, Laurie (May 29, 2014). [http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2014/05/29/as-obesity-rises-chinese-kids-are-almost-as-fat-as-americans/ "As obesity rises, Chinese kids are almost as fat as Americans"], Wall Street Journal website/Chinarealtime.
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgJvV62yD2E "Chubby China: nation of 300 million overweight people"] (May 30, 2014). YouTube video, 3:52, posted by Wall Street Journal.</ref>
A recent study published in the ''Obesity Reviews'' journal, found that Chinese teenagers' rate of [[diabetes]] was four times that of their [[United States|American]] peers.<ref>[http://www.china.org.cn/china/2012-09/14/content_26521029.htm Obesity is a growing concern in China] By Pang Li, China.org.cn, September 14, 2012</ref>
==== Secular Europe and obesity ====
* [[Secular Europe and obesity]]
[[File:Europe map.png|thumbnail|200px|right|The World Health Organization (WHO) recently reported: "Based on the latest estimates in [[Europe]]an Union countries, overweight affects 30-70% and obesity affects 10-30% of adults."<ref name="euro.who.int">[http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/noncommunicable-diseases/obesity/data-and-statistics World Health Organization - Regional Office for Europe - The challenge of obesity - quick statistics]</ref>]]
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently reported:
{{cquote|Based on the latest estimates in [[Europe]]an Union countries, overweight affects 30-70% and obesity affects 10-30% of adults.
Estimates of the number of overweight infants and children in the WHO European Region rose steadily from 1990 to 2008. Over 60% of children who are overweight before puberty will be overweight in early adulthood.<ref name="euro.who.int">[http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/noncommunicable-diseases/obesity/data-and-statistics World Health Organization - Regional Office for Europe - The challenge of obesity - quick statistics]</ref>}}
==== Various generations and rates of irreligion/obesity ====
*[[Millennials, irreligion and obesity]]
*[[Generation X, irreligion and obesity]]
*[[Baby boom generation, irreligion and obesity]]
== Atheism and death ==
== Atheism and death ==
Also, due to research showing that death anxiety increases atheists' unconscious belief in God, Dr. Nathan Heflick declared in a ''Psychology Today'' article, "But, at a less conscious (or pre-conscious) level, this research suggests that there might be less atheism in foxholes than atheists in foxholes report."<ref name="Heflick"/> Please see: [[Atheism and death]]
Also, due to research showing that death anxiety increases atheists' unconscious belief in God, Dr. Nathan Heflick declared in a ''Psychology Today'' article, "But, at a less conscious (or pre-conscious) level, this research suggests that there might be less atheism in foxholes than atheists in foxholes report."<ref name="Heflick"/> Please see: [[Atheism and death]]
== Atheism and women ==
== Atheism and intelligence ==
''see also:'' [[Atheism and women]] and [[Atheism and rape]] and [[Elevatorgate]] and [[Prominent atheists whose wives believe in the existence of God]]
''See also:'' [[Atheism and intelligence]] and [[Atheism and the theory of multiple intelligences|Atheism and Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences]] and [[Causes of atheism]]
[[File:2404429188 ea8f1fc48b.jpg|thumbnail|right|205px|Studies indicate that women tend to be more religious than men (See: [[Atheism and women]]). ]]
[[File:Cerebellum.jpg|right|thumb|220px|Brain researchers have conducted a number of studies focusing on the differences between atheists and the religious. See: [[Atheism and the brain]] ]]
The current [[Atheist Population|atheist population]] mostly resides in East [[Asia]] - particularly China (see: [[Asian atheism]]). As noted above, China has the largest atheist population in the world.
=== Atheist Alliance International analysis ===
Although social scientists have disputes about the accuracy of IQ scores in a given region, regions do vary in terms of their IQ scores.<ref name="CountryIQ">[https://iq-research.info/en/page/average-iq-by-country WORLD RANKING OF COUNTRIES BY THEIR AVERAGE]</ref><ref name="NatureIQ">[http://www.nature.com/hdy/journal/v92/n4/full/6800418a.html Book Review: IQ and the Wealth of Nations], ''Nature''</ref><ref name="AfricanIQ">[https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100121155220.htm Controversial study of African IQ levels is 'deeply flawed'], Science Daily, January 21, 2010</ref>
In 2016, Atheist Alliance International (AAI) conducted an annually recurring atheist census project and found: "At the time of writing, the Atheist Census Project recorded that on average worldwide 73.2% of respondents were male. The result is consistent with other research... As such, the focus of many scholarly papers has been on seeking to explain this persistent observation."<ref>[https://www.atheistalliance.org/about-aai/position-statements/1206-aai-position-statement-gender-balance.html AAI Position Statement - Gender Balance]</ref>
According to the IQ researchers Richard Lynn and Tatu Vanhanen, China has the 5th highest national IQ in the world with a score of 105.<ref name="CountryIQ"/> China's Zhejiang province is China's Christianity heartland.<ref>[http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/in-atheist-china-christians-outnumber-communist-party-members/story-dNG9fAuLrPvSvoAwbWYL0K.html Atheist China could have largest number of Christians in the world by 2030], Hindustantimes, 2016</ref> In 2005, the ''Chinese Journal of Endemiology'' (Owned by China ‘s ministry of health) reported that Zhejiang province had the highest IQ of all the provinces in China with an average IQ of 115.8 which was markedly higher than China's average IQ at the time which was a score of 103.4.<ref>[http://examiningatheism.blogspot.com/2017/03/chinas-christian-province-had-highest.html China's strongly Christian province had the highest IQ in China in 2005], [[Examining Atheism]]</ref>
In the latter part of the 20th century and throughout the 21st century, China has seen a rapid growth of [[Evangelical Christians|evangelical Christianity]] within their nation, increased economic development and a leap in intelligence scores.<ref>
*[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/10776023/China-on-course-to-become-worlds-most-Christian-nation-within-15-years.html China on course to become 'world's most Christian nation' within 15 years]
*[http://blog.tifwe.org/the-protestant-work-ethic-alive-well-in-china/ The Protestant Work Ethic: Alive & Well…In China] By Hugh Whelchel on September 24, 2012</ref><ref>[http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-31556802 Are human beings becoming smarter], BBC, March 2, 2015</ref> See also: [[Growth of Christianity in China]] and [[Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism]] and [[East Asia and global desecularization]]
Within various countries, standardized [[intelligence testing|intelligence test]] scores (IQ test scores) related to the issue of atheists/agnostics vs. theists intelligence scores often yield conflicting results.<ref>
*[http://www.doxa.ws/other/smarter.html Who is smarter? Believers or non-believers?]*[http://www.randalolson.com/2014/08/24/the-myth-of-the-smarter-atheist/ The myth of the smarter Atheist] by Randy Olson, Posted on August 24, 2014
*[http://christianmomthoughts.com/are-christians-less-intelligent-than-atheists-heres-what-all-those-studies-really-say/ Are Christians Less Intelligent Than Atheists? Here’s What All Those Studies REALLY Say] by Natasha Crain</ref> Part of the problem is that social scientists use variant [[Definition of atheism|definitions of atheism]].<ref>[http://www.strangenotions.com/atheists-higher-iqs/ ''Do Atheists Really Have Higher IQs than Believers?''], Dr. William M. Briggs</ref><ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/blackwhiteandgray/2012/01/how-many-americans-are-atheists-fewer-than-you-might-think/ How Many Americans are Atheists? Fewer than You Might Think] by Bradley Wright, January 26, 2012</ref>
Brain researchers have conducted a number of studies focusing on the differences between atheists and the religious (See: [[Atheism and the brain]]).
Atheists and religious individuals have significant differences in terms of the various types of intelligence (See: [[Atheism and the theory of multiple intelligences]]).
=== Atheist intelligence in different geographic regions ===
Socioeconomic variables can cause differences in regional intelligence levels (for example, wealth which can affect the quality of education, health care and nutrition).
In 2011, Beliefnetnews reported concerning the race and gender of American atheists:
In terms of the various [[Atheist Population|atheist population]]s in the world, there is a significant amount of variance as far as the cultures they reside in terms of their regional intelligence levels as can be seen via the resources given below.
*[[Asian atheism and intelligence]]
*[[European atheism and intelligence]]
*[[American atheism and intelligence]]
*[[Research on atheist conferences]]
*[[Irreligious Australia and intelligence]]
*[[Atheist conferences]]
*[[Latino atheism and intelligence]]
*[[African atheism and intelligence]]
=== Brain studies of atheists ===
''See also:'' [[Atheism and the brain]] and [[Religiosity and larger frontal lobes]]
Brain researchers have conducted a number of studies focusing on the differences between atheists and the religious (see: [[Atheism and the brain]] and [[Religiosity and larger frontal lobes]]).
=== Intelligence trends in religious countries and secular countries ===
*[[Intelligence trends in religious countries and secular countries]]
=== Atheism and the theory of multiple intelligences ===
*[[Atheism and rape]]
*[[Atheism and the theory of multiple intelligences]]
=== Study on emotional intelligence and religiosity ===
''See also:'' [[Atheism and emotional/intrapersonal intelligence|Atheism and emotional intelligence]] and [[Atheism and social/interpersonal intelligence|Atheism and social intelligence]]
A 2004 study by Ellen Paek examined the extent to which religious orientation/behavior and found significant positive correlations were found between level of religious commitment and an individual's perceived [[emotional intelligence]].<ref>''Journal of Organizational Behavior'', Paek, Ellen (2006). "[http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191886906000961 Religiosity and perceived emotional intelligence among Christians". Personality and Individual Differences] (International Society for the Study of Individual Differences) 41 (3): 479–490</ref> See also: [[Atheism and emotional/intrapersonal intelligence|Atheism and emotional intelligence]]
*[[Atheism, polyamory and other immoral relationships|Atheist leaders and immoral relationships]]
According to the prominent brain researcher Antonio Damasio and other brain researchers, emotions play a critical role in high-level cognition and allow individuals to make better decisions.<ref>
*[http://intentionalworkplace.com/2012/03/15/how-emotion-shapes-decision-making/ How emotion affects decision making], The Intentional Workplace
*[http://people.hss.caltech.edu/~steve/bechara.pdf The role of emotion in decision-making: Evidence from neurological patients with orbitofrontal damage], Antoine Becharam, Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wup_K2WN0I When Emotions Make Better Decisions - Antonio Damasio] - short video
*[https://news.usc.edu/29569/Antonio-and-Hanna-Damasio-Receive-Honorary-Degrees/ News item about Professor Antonio Damasio], University of Southern California
</ref>
=== Atheist feminism ===
== Atheism and women ==
''see also:'' [[Atheism and women]] and [[Atheism and rape]] and [[Elevatorgate]] and [[Prominent atheists whose wives believe in the existence of God]]
[[File:2404429188 ea8f1fc48b.jpg|thumbnail|right|205px|Studies indicate that women tend to be more religious than men (See: [[Atheism and women]]). ]]
=== Recent studies ===
=== Atheism and rates of marriage in the United States ===
=== Atheist Alliance International analysis ===
In 2016, Atheist Alliance International (AAI) conducted an annually recurring atheist census project and found: "At the time of writing, the Atheist Census Project recorded that on average worldwide 73.2% of respondents were male. The result is consistent with other research... As such, the focus of many scholarly papers has been on seeking to explain this persistent observation."<ref>[https://www.atheistalliance.org/about-aai/position-statements/1206-aai-position-statement-gender-balance.html AAI Position Statement - Gender Balance]</ref>
==== Surveys by country ====
[[Vox Day]] declared that according to the 2001 American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) "more than half of all atheists and agnostics don’t get married."<ref name="marry"/>
In November 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 with men outnumbering women within the [[Atheist Population|atheist population]].<ref>Khan, Razib (November 18, 2010). [http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2010/11/sex-differences-in-global-atheism-part-n/ "Gene expression; "Sex differences in global atheism, part N"]. Discover magazine website.</ref> See also: [[Atheism and women]]
==== United States surveys ====
=== Atheist marriages ===
In 2015, ''BloombergView'' reported concerning the [[United States]]: "According to a much-discussed 2012 report from the Pew Research Center on Religion and Public Life, ...women are 52 percent of the U.S. population but only 36 percent of atheists and agnostics.<ref name=agap>Carter, Stephen L. (March 27, 2015). [http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-03-27/the-atheism-gap "The atheism gap"]. BloombergView website.</ref>
A 2009 article in LiveScience.com entitled ''Women More Religious Than Men'' reported: "A new analysis of survey data finds women pray more often then men, are more likely to believe in God, and are more religious than men in a variety of other ways...The latest findings, released Friday, are no surprise, only confirming what other studies have found for decades.<ref name=Britt>Britt, Robert Roy (February 28, 2009). [http://www.livescience.com/7689-women-religious-men.html "Women more religious than men"]. Livescience.</ref> In 2007, the Pew Research Center found that American women were more religious than American men.<ref name=Britt/>
=== Atheism and divorce ===
==== Survey: Freedom From Religion Foundation ====
In 2011, Beliefnetnews reported concerning the race and gender of American atheists:
{{cquote|From the smallest local meetings to the largest conferences, the vast majority of speakers and attendees are almost always white men. Leading figures of the atheist movement — Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens and [[Daniel Dennett]] — are all white men.
But making atheism more diverse is proving to be no easy task.
Surveys suggest most atheists are white men. A recent survey of 4,000 members of the Freedom from Religion Foundation found that 95 percent were white, and men comprised a majority.<ref>MacDonald, G. Jeffrey (2011). [http://blog.beliefnet.com/news/2011/01/atheists-diversity-woes-have-n.php "Atheists’ diversity woes have no black-and-white answers"]. Beliefnet.</ref>}}
For more information, please see:
*[[Research on atheist conferences]]
*[[Atheist conferences]]
=== Sam Harris on atheism/women ===
In 2014, the prominent new atheist Sam Harris said that atheist activism lacks an “[[estrogen]] vibe” and was “to some degree intrinsically male”.<ref name="Lee"/> Due feminist atheist backlash, Harris wrote a long blog post indicating that his comments were taken out of context.<ref>Harris, Sam (September 15, 2014). [http://www.samharris.org/blog/item/im-not-the-sexist-pig-youre-looking-for “I’m not the sexist pig you’re looking for”]. Sam Harris. See Sam Harris.</ref>
=== Atheism and sexism ===
Most atheists are politically on the [[leftist|left]] (see: [[Atheism and politics]] and [[Secular left]]). Part of leftist ideology is [[feminism]]. However, there is a significant amount of [[misogyny]] among atheists (see: [[Atheism and women]]).
Atheist women currently experience a considerable amount of [[sexism]] and harassment from atheist men. For example, in 2014, the prominent atheist PZ Myers said of fellow new atheist Richard Dawkins' attitude towards women: "At a time when our movement needs to expand its reach, it’s a tragedy that our most eminent spokesman has so enthusiastically expressed such a regressive attitude.”<ref name="Lee">Lee, Adam (September 18, 2014). [http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/18/richard-dawkins-sexist-atheists-bad-name "Richard Dawkins has lost it: ignorant sexism gives atheists a bad name"]. The Guardian website.</ref>
For more information please see:
*[[Atheism and sexism]]
[[File:Sikivu Hutchinson.JPG|thumbnail|200px|right|Atheist Sikivu Hutchinson says that white atheists organizations generally focus on church/state separation and [[creationism]] issues and not on the concerns the less affluent African-American population faces.<ref name="washingtonpost.com">[http://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2014/06/16/blacks-are-even-discriminated-against-by-atheists/ Atheism has a big race problem that no one’s talking about] by Dr. Sikivu Hutchinson, Washington Post June 16, 2014</ref>
*[[Atheism and rape]]
*[[Sexual harassment at atheist conferences]]
*[[Elevatorgate]]
*[[Richard Dawkins and women]]
*[[Atheism, polyamory and other immoral relationships|Atheist leaders and immoral relationships]]
=== NY Times: Atheism and race in the United States ===
=== Atheist feminism ===
See: [[Atheist feminism]]
== Atheism and education ==
== Atheism and marriage/relationships ==
''See also:'' [[Religion and education]] and [[Atheist indoctrination|Atheistic indoctrination and education]] and [[Atheism and intelligence]] and [[Atheism and academia]] and [[Atheism and academic performance]]
''See also:'' [[Atheism and marriage]] and [[Atheism and illegitimate births]]
=== Atheism and rates of marriage in the United States ===
''See also:'' [[Atheism and marriageability]] and [[Atheism and women]]
The Christian apologist Michael Caputo wrote: "Recently the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life has published its mammoth study on Religion in America based on 35,000 interviews... According to the Pew Forum a whopping 37% of atheists never marry as opposed to 19% of the American population, 17% of Protestants and 17% of Catholics."<ref name="marry"/>
[[Vox Day]] declared that according to the 2001 American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) "more than half of all atheists and agnostics don’t get married."<ref name="marry"/>
For more information, please see:
For more information please see: [[Atheism and marriageability]]
=== Atheist marriages ===
See: [[Atheist marriages]]
=== Atheism in academia ===
=== Atheism and divorce ===
See: [[Atheism and divorce]]
=== Atheism and interfaith marriages ===
*[[Atheist indoctrination|Atheistic indoctrination and education]]
* [[Atheism and interfaith marriages]]
*[[Religion and education]]
* [[Prominent atheists whose wives believe in the existence of God]]
== Atheism and intelligence ==
=== Atheism and its inability to explain love ===
See also: [[Atheism and love]] and [[Atheism and forgiveness]]
From a [[Metaphysics|metaphysical]], moral and spiritual perspective, atheists have an inability to satisfactorily explain the existence of [[love]].<ref name=love/> See: [[Atheism and love]]
== Atheism statistics and atheist population ==
=== Atheism and sexuality ===
''See also:'' [[Atheism and sexuality]] and [[Atheism and romance]] and [[Atheism and fertility rates]]
Research shows that religious women (especially [[evangelicalism|evangelical]]/low-church [[Protestantism|Protestant]] women) are more sexually satisfied than irreligious women.<ref>The Social Organization of Sexuality: Sexual Practices in the United States By Edward O. Laumann, John H. Gagnon, Robert T. Michael, Stuart Michaels, page 115</ref><ref>[http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2008/11/25/the-christian-sexual-awakening.html Why Are Christians Having Better Sex Than the Rest of Us?] by Tucker Carlson, The Daily Beast, November 11, 25, 2008</ref><ref>[http://blog.getrelationshiphelp.com/2009/07/christian-women-have-more-sexual-fun.html Christian Women Have More Sexual Fun], Relationship Center in Springfield Missouri</ref>
A social science study also reports that Hispanic men are more sexually satisfied than other ethnic groups in the United States.<ref>The Social Organization of Sexuality: Sexual Practices in the United States By Edward O. Laumann, John H. Gagnon, Robert T. Michael, Stuart Michaels, page 114</ref>
Hispanics are known for their religiosity (See also: [[Western atheism and race]]).
In addition, the atheist and agnostic populations have sub-replacement levels of fertility (see: [[Atheism and sexuality]] and [[Atheism and romance]]).
== Western atheism and race ==
[[File:Sikivu Hutchinson.JPG|thumbnail|200px|right|Atheist Sikivu Hutchinson says that white atheists organizations generally focus on church/state separation and [[creationism]] issues and not on the concerns the less affluent African-American population faces.<ref name="washingtonpost.com">[http://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2014/06/16/blacks-are-even-discriminated-against-by-atheists/ Atheism has a big race problem that no one’s talking about] by Dr. Sikivu Hutchinson, Washington Post June 16, 2014</ref>
Hutchinson also mentioned that church organizations significantly help poor African-Americans.<ref name="washingtonpost.com"/> See also: [[Atheism and charity|Atheism and uncharitableness]] ]]
''See also:'' [[Western atheism and race]] and [[Black atheism]] and [[Atheism and diversity]]
=== Atheist population as a percentage of various countries' populations ===
=== Atheism and race: United States and Europe ===
In 2015, ''BloombergView'' reported:
{{cquote|According to a much-discussed 2012 report from the Pew Research Center on Religion and Public Life, only 3 percent of U.S. atheists and agnostics are black, 6 percent are Hispanic, and 4 percent are Asian. Some 82 percent are white. (The relevant figures for the population at large at the time of the survey were 66 percent white, 11 percent black, 15 percent Hispanic, 5 percent Asian.)
...Craig Keener, in his huge review of claims of miracles in a wide variety of cultures, concludes that routine rejection of the possibility of the [[supernatural]] represents an impulse that is [[Secular Europe|deeply Eurocentric]].<ref name=agap/>}}
[[Ipsos]], a major global market research company, published a report on report on religious belief/skepticism from a worldwide perspective and the report provides [http://www.ipsos-na.com/download/pr.aspx?id=10670 various statistics gained from survey results].
At the same time, due to immigration, Europe is expected to become [[desecularization|more desecularized]] in the 21st century (See also: [[Global atheism]] and [[Atheist population]]).
== Global atheism and trends ==
=== NY Times: Atheism and race in the United States ===
As note earlier, an atheists' meeting was organized in the [[United States]] concerning the future direction of the atheist movement and 370 people attended. The conference, sponsored by the Council for Secular Humanism, drew members from all the major atheist organizations in the United States. The ''[[New York Times]]'' described the attendees as "The largely white and male crowd — imagine a [[Star Trek]] convention, but older..."<ref>Oppenheimer, Mark (October 15, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/16/us/16beliefs.html "Atheists debate how pushy to be"]. Nytimes.com.</ref> According to the Quantcast data, white males appear to be the group of individuals who are most receptive to Richard Dawkins' and atheist Sam Harris' message.<ref>Multiple references:
*[http://www.quantcast.com/richarddawkins.net/demographics "Richarddawkins.net traffic and demographic statistics: US Demographics"]. Quαntcast.
*Kitman, Frank (May 18, 2011). [http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/2011/05/eric-kaufmann-shall-religious-inherit.html "Eric Kaufmann: shall the religious inherit the earth?"] Kitman TV.
*[http://www.quantcast.com/samharris.org/demographics "Samharris.org traffic and demographic statistics: US Demographics"]. Quαntcast.</ref> These findings, combined with the aforementioned data indicating that [[Atheism appears to be significantly less appealing to women|atheism is significantly less appealing to women]], suggests that atheist movement in the Western world and the New Atheism movement are significantly more appealing to white males.
*[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/search/label/atheist%20demographics "Atheist demographic series"] (2009-2011). Kitman TV.
== Atheism and education ==
''See also:'' [[Religion and education]] and [[Atheist indoctrination|Atheistic indoctrination and education]] and [[Atheism and intelligence]] and [[Atheism and academia]] and [[Atheism and academic performance]]
According to Pew Research:
{{Cquote|At present, Jewish adults (ages 25 and older) have a global average of 13 years of formal schooling, compared with approximately nine years among Christians, eight years among Buddhists and six years among Muslims and Hindus. [[Nones|Religiously unaffiliated]] adults – those who describe their religion as atheist, agnostic or “nothing in particular” – have spent an average of nine years in school, a little less than Christian adults worldwide.<ref>[http://www.pewforum.org/2016/12/13/religion-and-education-around-the-world/ Religion and Education Around the World], Pew Research, 2016</ref>}}
In the [[United States]], religious belief is positively correlated to education; a study published in an academic journal titled the ''Review of Religious Research'' demonstrated that increased education is correlated with belief in God and that "education positively affects religious participation, devotional activities, and emphasizing the importance of religion in daily life."<ref>Multiple references:
* Schwadel, Philip (2011). [http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs13644-011-0007-4 "The effects of education on Americans’ religious practices, beliefs, and affiliations" [abstract].] ''Review of Religious Research'' 53:2. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13644-011-0007-4 DOI:10.1007/s13644-011-0007-4]. "(2) [E]ducation positively affects religious participation, devotional activities, and emphasizing the importance of religion in daily life; (3) education positively affects switching religious affiliations, particularly to a mainline Protestant denomination, but not disaffiliation; (4) education is positively associated with questioning the role of religion in secular society but not with support for curbing the public opinions of religious leaders; and (5) the effects of education on religious beliefs and participation vary across religious traditions. Education does influence Americans’ religious beliefs and activities, but the effects of education on religion are complex." Abstract retrieved from link.springer.com, July 16, 2014.
*{{cite web|title=Study: more educated tend to be more religious, by some measures|author=Jim Kavanagh|date=11 August 2011|publisher=CNN|url=http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/11/study-more-educated-tend-to-be-more-religious-by-some-measures/|quote=‘With more years of education, you aren’t relatively more likely to say, “I don’t believe in God,”’ he said. ‘But you are relatively more likely to say, “I believe in a higher power.”’}} Retrieved July 17, 2014. See [[CNN]].
*{{cite web|author=Daily Mail reporter|title=The more education people receive, the more religious they become?|date=12 August 2011|publisher=Daily Mail|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2025166/The-education-people-receive-religious-become.html|quote=By analyzing data from a large national survey, sociologist Philip Schwadel of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that people tend to become more religious—by certain definitions—as they further their education. The survey also qualified what concept of God or a 'higher power' individuals held, as well as whether they had any doubts. Mr Schwadel said that: 'With more years of education, you aren’t relatively more likely to say, "I don’t believe in God," but you are relatively more likely to say, "I believe in a higher power."'}} Retrieved July 17, 2014. See [[Daily Mail]].
*{{cite web|author=Winkler, Amanda|title="More is more when it comes to education and religion", study says|date=13 August 2011|publisher=The Christian Post|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/who-is-more-religious-53865/|quote=Sociologist Philip Schwadel from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) studied this phenomenon. He discovered that people today tend to become more religious as they further their education.}} Retrieved July 17, 2014.</ref>
One of the reasons education is positively correlated with belief in God in the United States is that the [[demography|demographics]] of people attending higher education has shifted due to more women and southerners attending higher education (these two groups are more likely to be theists. See: [[Atheism and women]]).<ref>Bosmin, Barry (February 17, 2011). [http://www.scienceandreligiontoday.com/2011/02/17/why-do-we-believe-that-higher-education-leads-to-atheism-if-it-doesnt/ "Why do we believe that higher education leads to atheism if it doesn’t?"] Science + religion Today. Retrieved on July 27, 2014.</ref>
Although atheistic indoctrination in school systems can have an effect on individuals (See: [[Atheist indoctrination]]), research indicates that social/economic insecurity often has a more significant impact.<ref>Ruiter, Stijn and van Tubergen, Frank (November 2009). "Religious attendance in cross-national perspective: a multilevel analysis of 60 countries". ''American Journal of Sociology'', vol. 115, no. 3, pp. 863-95.</ref>
For more information, please see:
*[[Asian atheism]]
*[[Atheist indoctrination]]
*[[Secular Europe]]
*[[Religiosity and the growing use of vouchers and homeschooling]]
*[[American atheism]]
=== Atheism in academia ===
[[File:Alister McGrath.jpg|right|thumb|175px|[[Alister McGrath]] ]]
''See also:'' [[Atheism and academia]]
In 2001, the atheist and philosopher Quentin Smith declared:
{{cquote|[[Naturalism|Naturalists]] [atheists] passively watched as realist versions of [[theism]] … began to sweep through the philosophical community, until today perhaps one-quarter or one-third of philosophy professors are theists, with most being orthodox Christians…. God is not 'dead' in academia; he returned to life in the 1960's and is now alive and well in his last academic stronghold, philosophy departments."<ref>Craig, William Lane (2012).[http://www.reasonablefaith.org/theistic-critiques-of-atheism "Theistic critiques of atheism"]. Reasonable Faith. Retrieved on July 26, 2014. Unabridged version of article published 2007. See [[William Lane Craig]].</ref>}}
In 2004, Professor [[Alister McGrath]], professor of historical theology at Wycliffe Hall, [[Oxford University]] declared, "The golden age of atheism is over."<ref>Stewart, Marilyn (August 10, 2004). [http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?ID=18837 "Nobts’ Oxford Study Program spans notable lectures & historical sites"]. Baptist Press. Retrieved on July 26, 2014.</ref>
For more information please see:
*[[Atheist indoctrination|Atheistic indoctrination and education]]
*[[Religion and education]]
== Atheism statistics and atheist population ==
*[[Atheism statistics]]
*[[Christianity vs. atheism statistics]]
*[[Atheist population]]
=== Atheist movement and leadership ===
* [[Atheist movement]]
* [[Atheism and leadership]]
=== Atheist population as a percentage of various countries' populations ===
:''See main article: [[Atheist Population]]''
Specific research on the worldwide [[Atheist Population|atheist population]] conducted in 2006 [http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/allnewsbydate.asp?NewsID=1131 suggests] that the true proportion of atheists is 4% in the United States, 17% in Great Britain and 32% in France. A survey published in the 2005 ''[[Encyclopedia Britannica]]'' declared that 2.3% of the world's population consists of individuals who profess "atheism, skepticism, disbelief, or irreligion, including the militantly antireligious." Concerning the 2.3% figure just mentioned, the 2005 survey cited by ''Encyclopedia Britannica'' survey did not include [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] in regards to the 2.3% figure and Buddhism can be [[Theism|theistic]] or atheistic.<ref>Anonymous (July 17, 2013). [http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/beliefs/atheism.htm "Is Buddhism atheistic?"] ReligionFacts.</ref>
[[Ipsos]], a major global market research company, published a report on report on religious belief/skepticism from a worldwide perspective and the report provides [http://www.ipsos-na.com/download/pr.aspx?id=10670 various statistics gained from survey results].
== Global atheism and trends ==
[[File:Birkbeck College, University of London.jpg|right|thumbnail|200px|[[Eric Kaufmann]], a professor at [[Birkbeck College, University of London]], using a wealth of demographic studies, argues that there will be a significant decline of global atheism in the 21st century which will impact the [[Western World]].<ref name="sneps">Multiple references:
*Kaufmann, Eric. (2009 or aft.). [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"]. www.sneps.net. Paper similar to book ''Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth? Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century''. Publ. in unknown publication. ("Most observers accept that the aftermath...")
*Kitman, Frank (May 18, 2011). [http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/2011/05/eric-kaufmann-shall-religious-inherit.html "Eric Kaufmann: shall the religious inherit the earth?"] Kitman TV.
*[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/search/label/atheist%20demographics "Atheist demographic series"] (2009-2011). Kitman TV.
*[http://fora.tv/2010/09/05/Eric_Kaufmann_Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth "Eric Kaufmann: shall the religious inherit the earth?" [Festival of dangerous ideas 2010, Sydney Opera House]] (September 5, 2010). Fora.tv video, 1:03:56, posted by Australian Broadcasting Corporation.</ref> See: [[Desecularization]] ]]
''See also:'' [[Global atheism]] and [[Desecularization]] and [[Atheist movement]] and [[Atheist Population]]
=== Global atheism: Predominant geographic areas ===
''See also:'' [[Atheism and diversity]] and [[Atheism and culture]]
The current [[atheist population]] mostly resides in East Asia (particularly China) and in secular Europe/Australia primarily among whites.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/23/a-surprising-map-of-where-the-worlds-atheists-live/ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live], By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey, ''Washington Post'', May 23, 2013</ref> See: [[Global atheism]] and [[Secular Europe]] and [[Western atheism and race]]
Razib Khan points out in ''Discover Magazine'', "most [[secular]] nations in the world are those of East Asia, in particular what are often termed “[[Confucianism|Confucian]] societies.” It is likely therefore that the majority of the world’s atheists are actually East Asian."<ref>[http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2010/11/most-atheists-are-not-white/ Most atheists are not white & other non-fairy tales], Discover magazine</ref> See: [[Asian atheism]]
As far as the issue of [[diversity]] within the global atheist population, compared to Christianity, atheism has a significantly less degree of geographic/cultural, racial, gender and personal wealth diversity (see: [[Atheism and diversity]]).
=== Global atheism statistics ===
*[[Global atheism statistics]]
=== Demoographics of atheism ===
[[Demography]] is the study of human populations, and is a major specialty in the disciplines of sociology, economics, history, geography, statistics and epidemiology.
*[[Demographics of atheism]]
=== Desecularization and the 21st century ===
''See also:'' [[Desecularization]]
[[File: Blue Marble.jpg|200px|thumbnail|left|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.<ref name="cnsnews.com"/>]]
Atheists as a percentage of the world's population have declined since 1970 and [[global atheism]] is expected to face long term decline.<ref>Multiple references:
*Kumar, Anugrah (July 20, 2013). [http://www.christianpost.com/news/study-world-is-turning-more-religious-atheism-declining-100518/ "Study: world is turning more religious; atheism declining"]. The Christian Post.
*[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/05/globally-worldviews-of-atheism-and-non.html "Globally the worldviews of atheism and non-religious (agnostic) are declining while global Christianity is exploding in adherents"] (May 19, 2012). Question Evolution Campaign.
*Kaufmann, Eric (2009 or aft.). [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"]. www.sneps.net. Paper similar to book ''Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth? Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century''. Publ. in unknown publication. ("Most observers accept that the aftermath...")
*[http://www.gordonconwell.edu/resources/documents/StatusOfGlobalMission.pdf "Status of global mission, 2014, in the context of AD 1800–2025"] (2014). Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary website.</ref> See: [[Desecularization]]
According to the ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]'', 2% of the world's population self-identifies as atheist and the average annual global change for atheism from 2000 to 2010 was −0.17%.<ref name="eb-2010">{{cite web|title=Religion: Year in Review 2010: Worldwide Adherents of All Religions|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1731588/Religion-Year-In-Review-2010/298437/Worldwide-Adherents-of-All-Religions|work=Encyclopædia Britannica Online|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica Inc.|accessdate=2013-11-21}}</ref> There is excellent research indicating that the percentage of atheists in the world is presently going down (see: [[Global atheism statistics]]).
On July 24, 2013, ''CNS News'' reported:
{{cquote|Atheism is in 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>Chapman, Michael W. (July 24, 2013). [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"]. Cnsnews.com.</ref>}}
[[Desecularization]] is the process by which [[religion]] reasserts its societal influence though religious values, institutions, sectors of society and symbols in reaction to previous and/or co-occurring [[secularization]] processes.<ref name="China 2011, page 11"/>
The 21st century is expected to be a time of the decline of atheism in terms of its global market share and religious conservatism/[[fundamentalism]] is expected to grow in both the developing world and [[Growth of evangelical Christianity#Evangelical Christianity and the developed world|in the developed world]] (see: [[Desecularization]]). There are a [[causes of desecularization|number of causes]] of desecularization in the developed world (and the world at large), but two of the primary causes are the [[Atheism and fertility rates|higher fertility rate]] of religious conservatives and immigration of the religious into developed countries.
=== Failure of the secularization thesis ===
''See also:'' [[Atheists and the endurance of religion]]
Pew Research Center declared: "There is a long history of people predicting the demise of religion, but religion has proven more resilient than many people anticipated."<ref>[http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/04/08/qa-how-we-projected-the-future-of-world-religions/ How we projected the future of world religions]</ref>
Dr. Rodney Stark, an agnostic, wrote in his book ''The Triumph of Faith'':
{{cquote|[[Secular]]ists have been predicting the imminent demise of religion for centuries. They have always been wrong—and their claims today are no different. It is their unshakable faith in secularization that may be the most "irrational" of all beliefs.(p. 212).<ref>[http://www.christianpost.com/news/world-more-religious-than-ever-rodney-starks-triumph-faith-secularism-atheism-154641/ Despite What You've Heard, World Is More Religious Than Ever], Christian Post</ref>}}
Pew Research Center and Stark are alluding to the failure of the [[secularization thesis]].
=== Causes of global desecularization ===
See: [[Causes of desecularization]]
=== Atheists and sub-replacement levels of fertility ===
''See also:'' [[Atheism and fertility rates]] and [[Atheism and marriage]]
On December 23, 2012, the agnostic professor [[Eric Kaufmann]], who teaches at Birbeck College, [[University of London]], wrote: "I argue that 97% of the world's population growth is taking place in the developing world, where 95% of people are religious."<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2013/04/97-of-worlds-population-growth-is.html "97% of the world's population growth is taking place in the developing world, where 95% of people are religious"] (April 30, 2013). Question Evolution Campaign.</ref>
Michael Blume, a researcher at the University of Jena in Germany, wrote about the sub-replacement level of fertility among [[Atheist Population|atheistic populations]]: "Most societies or communities that have espoused atheistic beliefs have not survived more than a century."<ref name=leake>Leake, Jonathan (January 2, 2011). [http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/Society/article496716.ece "Atheists a dying breed as nature 'favours faithful'"]. London Times website.</ref> Blume also indicated concerning concerning his research on this matter: "What I found was the complete lack of a single case of a secular population, community or movement that would just manage to retain replacement level."<ref name=leake/>
[[File:Europe map CIA 2005.jpg|thumbnail|right|175px|In 2014, the Pew Research Forum indicated that Europe will go from 11% of the world's population to 7% of the world's population by 2050.<ref name="PewProj">Kochhar, Rakesh (February 3, 2014). [http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/02/03/10-projections-for-the-global-population-in-2050/ "10 projections for the global population in 2050"]. FactTank/Pew Research Center website.</ref>
See: [[Growth of global desecularization]] ]]
=== Global atheism and aging populations ===
Global atheism is facing significant challenges in terms of aging populations in East Asia and Europe and this will be a significant cause of desecularization in the 21st century (see: [[Global atheism and aging populations]]).
=== Growth of global desecularization ===
*[[Growth of global desecularization]]
*[[Acceleration of 21st century desecularization]]
*[[Growth of evangelical Christianity#Evangelical Christianity and the developed world|Growth of evangelical Christianity in the developed world]]
=== Future European religious demographic changes ===
In a 2006 essay, the prominent European philosopher [[Jürgen Habermas]] wrote: “secular citizens in Europe must learn to live, the sooner the better, in a post-secular society and in so doing they will be following the example of religious citizens, who have already come to terms with the ethical expectations of democratic citizenship. So far secular citizens have not been expected to make a similar effort.”<ref>[http://moderndiplomacy.eu/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=1633:jurgen-habermas-on-the-vision-of-a-post-secular-europe&Itemid=569 Jurgen Habermas on the Vision of a Post-Secular Europe], Modern Diplomacy</ref>
See:
*[[European desecularization in the 21st century]]
*[[British atheism]]
=== American atheism ===
*[[American atheism]]
'''Demographic projections of atheism/agnosticism in the United States:'''
*[[United States, irreligion vs. religion and demographics]]
=== Decline of Asian atheism ===
*[[East Asia and global desecularization]]
*[[Asian atheism]]
=== Growth of evangelical Christianity in secular regions ===
*[[Growth of Christianity in China|Growth of evangelical Christianity in China]]
*[[Collapse of atheism in the former Soviet Union]]
*[[Collapse of atheism in the former Soviet Union#Growth of Protestantism in Russia|Growth of Protestantism in Russia]]
=== Additional causes of the global decline of atheism ===
*[[British atheism]]
*[[Decline of the secular left]]
*[[French atheism]]
*[[Atheism and apathy]]
*[[Irreligion in Australia]]
*[[Atheism and inspiration]]
=== Historical trends/events and dampened atheist movement expectations ===
''See also:'' [[Atheists and the endurance of religion]] and [[Atheist pessimism about the atheist movement]]
[[File:Jacques Berlinerblau.jpg|thumbnail|220px|right|In 2011, atheist [[Jacques Berlinerblau]] declared: "The Golden Age of [[Secularism]] has passed."<ref name="chronicle.com">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>]]
The atheist movement saw a number of setbacks during the latter portion of the 20th century and beyond in terms of historical events/trends. As a result, it has lost a considerable amount of confidence (see: [[Atheists and the endurance of religion]]).
The agnostic Eric Kaufmann wrote in 2010:
{{cquote|Worldwide, the [[Desecularization|march of religion]] can probably only be reversed by a renewed, self-aware secularism. Today, it appears exhausted and lacking in confidence... Secularism's greatest triumphs owe less to science than to popular social movements like nationalism, [[socialism]] and 1960s anarchist-[[liberalism]]. Ironically, secularism's demographic deficit means that it will probably only succeed in the twenty-first century if it can create a secular form of 'religious' enthusiasm." <ref>[http://www.sneps.net/uploadsepk/JQR%20Demography.pdf Shall the religious inherit the earth? - Eric Kaufmann]</ref>}}
In 2011, atheist [[Jacques Berlinerblau]] indicated: "The Golden Age of [[Secularism]] has passed."<ref name="chronicle.com"/>
In 2015, the atheist author Joshua Kelly wrote:
{{cquote|...since the death of [[Christopher Hitchens|Hitchens]]: angry atheism lost its most charismatic champion. Call it what you like: [[New Atheism]], fire-brand atheism, etc., had a surge with the Four Horsemen in the middle of the last decade and in the last four years has generally petered out to a kind that is more docile, [[Political correctness|politically correct]], and even apologetic.<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/danthropology/2015/12/uproar-against-dawkins-is-sign-of-new-atheism-retrogression/ Uproar Against Dawkins Is Sign of New Atheism Retrogression] by Joshua Kelly</ref>}}
See: [[Growth of global desecularization]]
{{See also|Decline of militant atheism in the West}}
== Christian websites and other resources with a large focus on the topic of atheism ==
== Christian websites and other resources with a large focus on the topic of atheism ==
''See articles: [[Atheism Quotes]]''
''See articles: [[Atheism Quotes]]''
== Atheism news ==
See: [[Atheism news]]
== Recommended reading ==
== Recommended reading ==