Changes

The new atheists who are or were known for their evangelical atheism are: [[Richard Dawkins]] (who actually flip-flops in terms of referring to himself as an [[agnosticism|agnostic]] or atheist. See: [[Richard Dawkins and agnosticism]]).,  [[Daniel Dennett]], the late [[Christopher Hitchens]] and [[Sam Harris]].  

The new atheists who are or were known for their evangelical atheism are: [[Richard Dawkins]] (who actually flip-flops in terms of referring to himself as an [[agnosticism|agnostic]] or atheist. See: [[Richard Dawkins and agnosticism]]).,  [[Daniel Dennett]], the late [[Christopher Hitchens]] and [[Sam Harris]].  

New atheism has fallen out of public favor and at least one of the new atheist lost their outspokeness (see: [[New Atheism#Decline of New Atheism|Decline of New Atheism]] and [[Decline of militant atheism in the West]]).<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> <ref>[http://www.wnd.com/2016/06/even-atheists-bash-reason-rally/ Even atheists bash 'Reason Rally']</ref>

New atheism has fallen out of public favor and at least one of the new atheist lost their outspokeness (see: [[New Atheism#Decline of New Atheism|Decline of New Atheism]] and [[Decline of militant atheism in the West]]).<ref name="patheos.com">[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><ref name="Even atheists bash 'Reason Rally'">[http://www.wnd.com/2016/06/even-atheists-bash-reason-rally/ Even atheists bash 'Reason Rally']</ref>

In 2015, the atheist author Joshua Kelly wrote:

In 2015, the atheist author Joshua Kelly wrote:

{{cquote|...since the death of 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 peetered 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>}}

{{cquote|...since the death of 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 peetered out to a kind that is more docile, [[Political correctness|politically correct]], and even apologetic.<ref name="patheos.com">[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>}}

YouTube's atheist [[Thunderfoot]] said about the atheist movement after [[Reason Rally 2016]] had a very low turnout:

YouTube's atheist [[Thunderfoot]] said about the atheist movement after [[Reason Rally 2016]] had a very low turnout:

{{Cquote|I'm not sure there is anything in this movement worth saving. Hitchens is dead. Dawkins simply doesn't have the energy for this sort of thing anymore. Harris went his own way. And [[Daniel Dennett|Dennett]] just kind of blended into the background. So what do you think when the largest gathering of the nonreligious in history pulls in... I don't know. Maybe 2,000 people. Is there anything worth saving?<ref>[http://www.wnd.com/2016/06/even-atheists-bash-reason-rally/ Even atheists bash 'Reason Rally']</ref>}}

{{Cquote|I'm not sure there is anything in this movement worth saving. Hitchens is dead. Dawkins simply doesn't have the energy for this sort of thing anymore. Harris went his own way. And [[Daniel Dennett|Dennett]] just kind of blended into the background. So what do you think when the largest gathering of the nonreligious in history pulls in... I don't know. Maybe 2,000 people. Is there anything worth saving?<ref name="Even atheists bash 'Reason Rally'">[http://www.wnd.com/2016/06/even-atheists-bash-reason-rally/ Even atheists bash 'Reason Rally']</ref>}}

== Other evangelical atheists ==

== Other evangelical atheists ==

''See also:'' [[Atheism and apathy]] and [[Atheist movement]]

''See also:'' [[Atheism and apathy]] and [[Atheist movement]]

[[File:Blue Marble.jpg|thumbnail|right|220px|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.<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> See: [[Global atheism]] ]]

[[File:Blue Marble.jpg|thumbnail|right|220px|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.<ref name="cnsnews.com">[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> See: [[Global atheism]] ]]

Atheists are far less likely to evangelize than most religious people (see: [[Atheism and apathy]]).  

Atheists are far less likely to evangelize than most religious people (see: [[Atheism and apathy]]).  

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 name="cnsnews.com">[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>}}

On December 23, 2012, Professor [[Eric Kaufmann]] who teaches at Birbeck College, University of London wrote:

On December 23, 2012, Professor [[Eric Kaufmann]] who teaches at Birbeck College, University of London wrote:

...Religious [[fundamentalism]] is going to be on the increase in the future and not just out there in the developing world..., but in the developed world as well.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7vCDeKPRSo Eric Kaufmann - Religion, Demography and Politics in the 21st Century]</ref>}}

...Religious [[fundamentalism]] is going to be on the increase in the future and not just out there in the developing world..., but in the developed world as well.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7vCDeKPRSo Eric Kaufmann - Religion, Demography and Politics in the 21st Century]</ref>}}

In April 2010, Kaufmann  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".</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>

In April 2010, Kaufmann  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".]</ref> In April 2012, French scholars reported that [[evangelicalism|evangelical Christianity]] was likely the fastest growing religion in France.<ref name="csmonitor.com">[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>

=== Evangelical atheists lack a focus on growing atheism in the developing world and among the poor ===

=== Evangelical atheists lack a focus on growing atheism in the developing world and among the poor ===

=== Desecularization and France ===

=== Desecularization and France ===

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>

In April 2012, French scholars reported that [[evangelicalism|evangelical Christianity]] was likely the fastest growing religion in France.<ref name="csmonitor.com"/>

In addition, France has Europe's second largest Muslim population.<ref>[http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/07/19/5-facts-about-the-muslim-population-in-europe/ 5 facts about the Muslim population in Europe]</ref>

In addition, France has Europe's second largest Muslim population.<ref name="pewresearch.org">[http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/07/19/5-facts-about-the-muslim-population-in-europe/ 5 facts about the Muslim population in Europe]</ref>

=== Desecularization and Germany ===

=== Desecularization and Germany ===

On March 17, 2014, the news website ''Deutsche Well'' reported that evangelical Christianity has doubled in [[Germany]] in the last 10 years.<ref>[http://www.dw.de/ghanaian-pastor-seeks-to-re-christianize-germany/a-17501259 Ghanaian pastor seeks to 're-Christianize' Germany]</ref>

On March 17, 2014, the news website ''Deutsche Well'' reported that evangelical Christianity has doubled in [[Germany]] in the last 10 years.<ref>[http://www.dw.de/ghanaian-pastor-seeks-to-re-christianize-germany/a-17501259 Ghanaian pastor seeks to 're-Christianize' Germany]</ref>

Germany also has Europe's largest Muslim population.<ref>[http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/07/19/5-facts-about-the-muslim-population-in-europe/ 5 facts about the Muslim population in Europe]</ref>

Germany also has Europe's largest Muslim population.<ref name="pewresearch.org">[http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/07/19/5-facts-about-the-muslim-population-in-europe/ 5 facts about the Muslim population in Europe]</ref>

=== Desecularization and Britain ===

=== Desecularization and Britain ===

According to Pew Research:

According to Pew Research:

{{Cquote|In recent decades, the Muslim share of the population throughout Europe grew about 1 percentage point a decade, from 4% in 1990 to 6% in 2010. This pattern is expected to continue through 2030, when Muslims are projected to make up 8% of Europe’s population.<ref>[http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/07/19/5-facts-about-the-muslim-population-in-europe/ 5 facts about the Muslim population in Europe]</ref>}}

{{Cquote|In recent decades, the Muslim share of the population throughout Europe grew about 1 percentage point a decade, from 4% in 1990 to 6% in 2010. This pattern is expected to continue through 2030, when Muslims are projected to make up 8% of Europe’s population.<ref name="pewresearch.org">[http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/07/19/5-facts-about-the-muslim-population-in-europe/ 5 facts about the Muslim population in Europe]</ref>}}

=== European desecularization and illegal immigration ===

=== European desecularization and illegal immigration ===

''See also:'' [[Atheism and its retention rate in individuals]]

''See also:'' [[Atheism and its retention rate in individuals]]

[[File:Georgetown Riverview.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|In 2012, a [[Georgetown University]] study was published indicating that about 30 percent of those who grow up in an atheist household in the United States remain atheists as adults.<ref name="retention rate">Nazworth, Nap (July 11, 2012). [http://www.christianpost.com/news/study-atheists-have-lowest-retention-rate-compared-to-religious-groups-78029/ "Study: atheists have lowest 'retention rate' compared to religious groups"]. christianpost.com.</ref>]]

[[File:Georgetown Riverview.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|In 2012, a [[Georgetown University]] study was published indicating that about 30 percent of those who grow up in an atheist household in the United States remain atheists as adults.<ref name="retention rate">Nazworth, Nap (July 11, 2012). [http://www.christianpost.com/news/study-atheists-have-lowest-retention-rate-compared-to-religious-groups-78029/ "Study: atheists have lowest 'retention rate' compared to religious groups"]. christianpost.com.</ref>]]

In 2012, a [[Georgetown University]] study was published indicating that in the United States only about 30 percent of those who grow up in an [[Atheism|atheist]] household remain atheists as adults.<ref>[http://www.christianpost.com/news/study-atheists-have-lowest-retention-rate-compared-to-religious-groups-78029/ Study: Atheists Have Lowest 'Retention Rate' Compared to Religious Groups]</ref> According to Dr. Mark Gray, "of those raised as atheists, 30% are now affiliated with a [[Protestantism|Protestant]] denomination, 10% are Catholic, 2% are Jewish, 1% are Mormon, and 1% are Pagan."<ref>[http://www.christianpost.com/news/study-atheists-have-lowest-retention-rate-compared-to-religious-groups-78029/ Study: Atheists Have Lowest 'Retention Rate' Compared to Religious Groups]</ref>  See also: [[Atheism and poor relationships with parents]]

In 2012, a [[Georgetown University]] study was published indicating that in the United States only about 30 percent of those who grow up in an [[Atheism|atheist]] household remain atheists as adults.<ref name="christianpost.com">[http://www.christianpost.com/news/study-atheists-have-lowest-retention-rate-compared-to-religious-groups-78029/ Study: Atheists Have Lowest 'Retention Rate' Compared to Religious Groups]</ref> According to Dr. Mark Gray, "of those raised as atheists, 30% are now affiliated with a [[Protestantism|Protestant]] denomination, 10% are Catholic, 2% are Jewish, 1% are Mormon, and 1% are Pagan."<ref name="christianpost.com"/>  See also: [[Atheism and poor relationships with parents]]

=== Communist countries and citizenry abandoning atheism  ===

=== Communist countries and citizenry abandoning atheism  ===

=== Evangelical atheists and exaggerated claims ===

=== Evangelical atheists and exaggerated claims ===

[[File:67275975 vVzy1OLk PICT0158.jpg|thumbnail|200px|left|The atheist Georgetown professor Jacques Berlinerblau likens the strength of the American atheist movement to a "gimpy little zebra".<ref>[http://www.christiancentury.org/article/2012-09/professor-jacques-berlinerblau-tells-atheists-stop-whining Professor Jacques Berlinerblau tells atheists: Stop whining!], Christian Century, Sep 14, 2012 by Kimberly Winston</ref>]]

[[File:67275975 vVzy1OLk PICT0158.jpg|thumbnail|200px|left|The atheist Georgetown professor Jacques Berlinerblau likens the strength of the American atheist movement to a "gimpy little zebra".<ref name="christiancentury.org">[http://www.christiancentury.org/article/2012-09/professor-jacques-berlinerblau-tells-atheists-stop-whining Professor Jacques Berlinerblau tells atheists: Stop whining!], Christian Century, Sep 14, 2012 by Kimberly Winston</ref>]]

The atheist Georgetown professor [[Jacques Berlinerblau]] declared:

The atheist Georgetown professor [[Jacques Berlinerblau]] declared:

{{cquote|American atheist movements, though fancying themselves a lion, are more like the gimpy little zebra crossing the river full of crocs. In terms of both political gains and popular appeal, nonbelievers in the United States have little to show. They are encircled by cunning, swarming [religious] Revivalist adversaries who know how to play the atheist card. The gimpy zebra remark was a little goofing on this over-the-top chest-thumping that emerges from Movement Atheists. They [[Nones#Atheists attempting to falsely inflate their numbers via the nones|wildly overestimate]] their numbers. They tend to overestimate the efficacy of their activism. They underestimate how disciplined and organized their adversaries in the religious right are, too. They fail to recognize that mocking religious people in public is entirely inimical to the goals they wish to achieve."<ref>[http://www.christiancentury.org/article/2012-09/professor-jacques-berlinerblau-tells-atheists-stop-whining Professor Jacques Berlinerblau tells atheists: Stop whining!], Christian Century, Sep 14, 2012 by Kimberly Winston</ref>}}

{{cquote|American atheist movements, though fancying themselves a lion, are more like the gimpy little zebra crossing the river full of crocs. In terms of both political gains and popular appeal, nonbelievers in the United States have little to show. They are encircled by cunning, swarming [religious] Revivalist adversaries who know how to play the atheist card. The gimpy zebra remark was a little goofing on this over-the-top chest-thumping that emerges from Movement Atheists. They [[Nones#Atheists attempting to falsely inflate their numbers via the nones|wildly overestimate]] their numbers. They tend to overestimate the efficacy of their activism. They underestimate how disciplined and organized their adversaries in the religious right are, too. They fail to recognize that mocking religious people in public is entirely inimical to the goals they wish to achieve."<ref name="christiancentury.org">[http://www.christiancentury.org/article/2012-09/professor-jacques-berlinerblau-tells-atheists-stop-whining Professor Jacques Berlinerblau tells atheists: Stop whining!], Christian Century, Sep 14, 2012 by Kimberly Winston</ref>}}

==== David Silverman exaggerating the number of atheists in the United States ====

==== David Silverman exaggerating the number of atheists in the United States ====

''See also:'' [[Atheist movement]]

''See also:'' [[Atheist movement]]

[[File:David Silverman.JPG|thumbnail|right|150px|[[David Silverman]] took feminist [[Rebecca Watson]] off the speakers list for the Reason Rally after [[Richard Dawkins]] objected to her speaking at the event.<ref>[http://skepchick.org/2013/09/my-time-with-richard-dawkins-or-why-you-should-never-meet-your-idols/ My Time With Richard Dawkins (Or, Why You Should Never Meet Your Idols)] by Sarah at [[Skepchick]], September 5, 2013</ref> See: [[Elevatorgate]] ]]

[[File:David Silverman.JPG|thumbnail|right|150px|[[David Silverman]] took feminist [[Rebecca Watson]] off the speakers list for the Reason Rally after [[Richard Dawkins]] objected to her speaking at the event.<ref>[http://skepchick.org/2013/09/my-time-with-richard-dawkins-or-why-you-should-never-meet-your-idols/ My Time With Richard Dawkins (Or, Why You Should Never Meet Your Idols)] by Sarah at [[Skepchick]], September 5, 2013</ref> See: [[Elevatorgate]] ]]

In 2012, the organization PolitiFact Rhode Island accused American Atheists president [[David Silverman]] of wildly exaggerating the number of atheists in America by attempting to included the Unaffiliated (also called [[Nones]]) who made up about 15% of the United States population at the time (despite the fact that only 15 percent of "nones" identify as atheists) and by also attempting to lump agnostics with the [[Atheist Population|atheist population]].<ref>[http://www.politifact.com/rhode-island/statements/2012/feb/26/david-silverman/american-atheists-president-david-silverman-says-t/ American Atheists President David Silverman says there are twice as many atheists in U.S. as Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists combined] By C. Eugene Emery Jr. on Sunday, February 26th, 2012 at 12:01 a.m.</ref><ref>[http://www.pressdemocrat.com/csp/mediapool/sites/PressDemocrat/News/story.csp?cid=2501462&sid=555&fid=181 Meet the 'Nones:' Spiritual but not religious]</ref>   

In 2012, the organization PolitiFact Rhode Island accused American Atheists president [[David Silverman]] of wildly exaggerating the number of atheists in America by attempting to included the Unaffiliated (also called [[Nones]]) who made up about 15% of the United States population at the time (despite the fact that only 15 percent of "nones" identify as atheists) and by also attempting to lump agnostics with the [[Atheist Population|atheist population]].<ref name="politifact.com">[http://www.politifact.com/rhode-island/statements/2012/feb/26/david-silverman/american-atheists-president-david-silverman-says-t/ American Atheists President David Silverman says there are twice as many atheists in U.S. as Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists combined] By C. Eugene Emery Jr. on Sunday, February 26th, 2012 at 12:01 a.m.</ref><ref>[http://www.pressdemocrat.com/csp/mediapool/sites/PressDemocrat/News/story.csp?cid=2501462&sid=555&fid=181 Meet the 'Nones:' Spiritual but not religious]</ref>   

According to PolitiFact Rhode Island:

According to PolitiFact Rhode Island:

{{cquote|When the American Religious survey asked people what they thought of the existence of God, 2.3 percent said 'There is no such thing.'...When Pew asked a broader question -- "Do you believe in God or a universal spirit?" -- 5 percent said "No."<ref>[http://www.politifact.com/rhode-island/statements/2012/feb/26/david-silverman/american-atheists-president-david-silverman-says-t/ American Atheists President David Silverman says there are twice as many atheists in U.S. as Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists combined] By C. Eugene Emery Jr. on Sunday, February 26th, 2012 at 12:01 a.m.</ref>}}

{{cquote|When the American Religious survey asked people what they thought of the existence of God, 2.3 percent said 'There is no such thing.'...When Pew asked a broader question -- "Do you believe in God or a universal spirit?" -- 5 percent said "No."<ref name="politifact.com">[http://www.politifact.com/rhode-island/statements/2012/feb/26/david-silverman/american-atheists-president-david-silverman-says-t/ American Atheists President David Silverman says there are twice as many atheists in U.S. as Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists combined] By C. Eugene Emery Jr. on Sunday, February 26th, 2012 at 12:01 a.m.</ref>}}

The 2008 [[American Religious Identification Survey]] (ARIS) found that only 0.7% of U.S. adults identified as atheist, but at the same time 2.3% said there is no such thing as a god.<ref>Barry A. Kosmin and Ariela Keysar, [http://b27.cc.trincoll.edu/weblogs/AmericanReligionSurvey-ARIS/reports/ARIS_Report_2008.pdf], March 2009, American Religious Identification Survey [ARIS 2008], Trinity College</ref>  The reluctance of Americans to self-identify as atheists is likely due to the American public's low opinion of atheists (See: [[Views on atheists|Americans have a low opinion of atheists]]).  

The 2008 [[American Religious Identification Survey]] (ARIS) found that only 0.7% of U.S. adults identified as atheist, but at the same time 2.3% said there is no such thing as a god.<ref>Barry A. Kosmin and Ariela Keysar, [http://b27.cc.trincoll.edu/weblogs/AmericanReligionSurvey-ARIS/reports/ARIS_Report_2008.pdf], March 2009, American Religious Identification Survey [ARIS 2008], Trinity College</ref>  The reluctance of Americans to self-identify as atheists is likely due to the American public's low opinion of atheists (See: [[Views on atheists|Americans have a low opinion of atheists]]).