Changes

''See also:'' [[Global atheism]] and [[Global atheism statistics]]

''See also:'' [[Global atheism]] and [[Global atheism statistics]]

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 from a number of sources indicating that the percentage of atheists is presently in decline (see: [[Global atheism statistics]]).  

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=https://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 from a number of sources indicating that the percentage of atheists is presently in decline (see: [[Global atheism statistics]]).  

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

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>[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 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>[https://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:

If CSGC is correct, then not only is the global market share for atheism going downward, but now the actual number of atheists in the world is going down as well.  Specifically, CSGC is projecting that from the midpoint of 2016 to the midpoint of 2017, the total number of atheists in the world is going to go from 138,101,000 individuals to 137,041,000 individuals.  That would be a net loss of 60,000 atheists in the world during this period.<ref>

If CSGC is correct, then not only is the global market share for atheism going downward, but now the actual number of atheists in the world is going down as well.  Specifically, CSGC is projecting that from the midpoint of 2016 to the midpoint of 2017, the total number of atheists in the world is going to go from 138,101,000 individuals to 137,041,000 individuals.  That would be a net loss of 60,000 atheists in the world during this period.<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]

*[https://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]

*[http://www.justinlong.org/articles/StatusOfGlobalChristianity2016.pdf Status of Global Atheism/Christianity/other religions, 2016, in the Context of 1900–2050]

*[http://www.justinlong.org/articles/StatusOfGlobalChristianity2016.pdf Status of Global Atheism/Christianity/other religions, 2016, in the Context of 1900–2050]

*[http://www.internationalbulletin.org/issues/2015-01/2015-01-029-table.html Status of Global Atheism/Christianity/other religions, 2015, in the Context of 1900–2050]</ref>

*[http://www.internationalbulletin.org/issues/2015-01/2015-01-029-table.html Status of Global Atheism/Christianity/other religions, 2015, in the Context of 1900–2050]</ref>

{{cquote|Officials are untroubled by the clash between the city’s famously freewheeling capitalism and the [[Communism|Communist]] Party’s ideology, yet still see religion and its symbols as affronts to the party’s [[atheism]]...

{{cquote|Officials are untroubled by the clash between the city’s famously freewheeling capitalism and the [[Communism|Communist]] Party’s ideology, yet still see religion and its symbols as affronts to the party’s [[atheism]]...

Yang Fenggang of Purdue University, in Indiana, says the Christian church in China has grown by an average of 10% a year since 1980. He reckons that on current trends there will be 250m Christians by around 2030, making China’s Christian population the largest in the world. Mr. Yang says this speed of growth is similar to that seen in fourth-century Rome just before the conversion of [[Constantine]], which paved the way for Christianity to become the religion of his empire.<ref>[http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21629218-rapid-spread-christianity-forcing-official-rethink-religion-cracks ''Cracks in the atheist edifice''], ''The Economist'', November 1, 2014</ref>}}

Yang Fenggang of Purdue University, in Indiana, says the Christian church in China has grown by an average of 10% a year since 1980. He reckons that on current trends there will be 250m Christians by around 2030, making China’s Christian population the largest in the world. Mr. Yang says this speed of growth is similar to that seen in fourth-century Rome just before the conversion of [[Constantine]], which paved the way for Christianity to become the religion of his empire.<ref>[https://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21629218-rapid-spread-christianity-forcing-official-rethink-religion-cracks ''Cracks in the atheist edifice''], ''The Economist'', November 1, 2014</ref>}}

Justin Wood also wrote:

Justin Wood also wrote:

Homeschooling is growing worldwide.<ref>[http://learninfreedom.org/homeschool_growth.html Homeschooling is growing worldwide]</ref>

Homeschooling is growing worldwide.<ref>[http://learninfreedom.org/homeschool_growth.html Homeschooling is growing worldwide]</ref>

Nearly 7% of American college-educated parents homeschool their children.<ref>http://www.sagus.us/blog/blog_details.asp?ID=18&p=7&s=7&s2=7</ref>  In the [[United States]], an estimated one to two million students are homeschooled, or nearly one out of every 30 students.<ref name="USA Today">http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-01-04-homeschooling_N.htm</ref>   

Nearly 7% of American college-educated parents homeschool their children.<ref>http://www.sagus.us/blog/blog_details.asp?ID=18&p=7&s=7&s2=7</ref>  In the [[United States]], an estimated one to two million students are homeschooled, or nearly one out of every 30 students.<ref name="USA Today">https://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-01-04-homeschooling_N.htm</ref>   

In 2011, it was reported that homeschooling has grown by almost 75% in the last 8 years in the United States.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/02/09/educating-children-evolution-home-schooling</ref> and in a recent survey "the average homeschooled student scored at the 88th percentile" in the core subjects of reading, language and math.<ref>http://www.hslda.org/docs/news/washingtontimes/200908100.asp</ref>  The most successful [[mathematician]] in contests in history, Reid Barton, was [[homeschooled]].<ref>http://www.amstat.org/PUBLICATIONS/amsn/index.cfm?fuseaction=highlights0812001</ref>

In 2011, it was reported that homeschooling has grown by almost 75% in the last 8 years in the United States.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/02/09/educating-children-evolution-home-schooling</ref> and in a recent survey "the average homeschooled student scored at the 88th percentile" in the core subjects of reading, language and math.<ref>http://www.hslda.org/docs/news/washingtontimes/200908100.asp</ref>  The most successful [[mathematician]] in contests in history, Reid Barton, was [[homeschooled]].<ref>http://www.amstat.org/PUBLICATIONS/amsn/index.cfm?fuseaction=highlights0812001</ref>

Private schooling per student cost less than public schooling.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/08/anti-evolution-religious-private.html Anti-evolution religious private schooling and homeschooling will see big growth worldwide]</ref>

Private schooling per student cost less than public schooling.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/08/anti-evolution-religious-private.html Anti-evolution religious private schooling and homeschooling will see big growth worldwide]</ref>

According to a [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx4pN-aiofw news program] by [[John Stossel]], Belgium has a school system which funds students to attend primary and secondary schools and they can use those funds to attend any school or their choice whether it be a religious private school, a non-religious private school or a public school.

According to a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx4pN-aiofw news program] by [[John Stossel]], Belgium has a school system which funds students to attend primary and secondary schools and they can use those funds to attend any school or their choice whether it be a religious private school, a non-religious private school or a public school.

American government run public schools are increasingly facing budget cuts and there is growing criticism of public schools. Vouchers for private schools (including religious schools) and charter schools are increasingly being discussed and legislators are introducing and passing school choice bills.<ref>

American government run public schools are increasingly facing budget cuts and there is growing criticism of public schools. Vouchers for private schools (including religious schools) and charter schools are increasingly being discussed and legislators are introducing and passing school choice bills.<ref>

*[http://bangordailynews.com/2011/10/28/education/school-budget-cuts-forcing-more-districts-to-four-day-weeks/?ref=latest School budget cuts forcing more districts to four-day weeks]

*[http://bangordailynews.com/2011/10/28/education/school-budget-cuts-forcing-more-districts-to-four-day-weeks/?ref=latest School budget cuts forcing more districts to four-day weeks]

*[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/06/27/supremecourt/main513615.shtml Supreme Court OKs School Vouchers]

*[https://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/06/27/supremecourt/main513615.shtml Supreme Court OKs School Vouchers]

*[http://www.edchoice.org/Research/Our-Studies---Reports.aspx School choice - studies and reports]

*[http://www.edchoice.org/Research/Our-Studies---Reports.aspx School choice - studies and reports]

*[http://www.cato.org/pubs/briefs/bp-025.html What Would A School Voucher Buy? The Real Cost Of Private Schools]

*[http://www.cato.org/pubs/briefs/bp-025.html What Would A School Voucher Buy? The Real Cost Of Private Schools]

There appears to be a higher education bubble that will burst.<ref>

There appears to be a higher education bubble that will burst.<ref>

*[http://www.economist.com/blogs/schumpeter/2011/04/higher_education Higher education bublle]***[http://www.forbes.com/sites/ccap/2011/04/05/the-higher-education-bubble/ Forbes - Higher education bubble]

*[https://www.economist.com/blogs/schumpeter/2011/04/higher_education Higher education bublle]***[http://www.forbes.com/sites/ccap/2011/04/05/the-higher-education-bubble/ Forbes - Higher education bubble]

*[http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/the-college-solution/2011/05/03/higher-education-bubble-will-burst Higher education bubble will burst - U.S. News and World Report]

*[http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/the-college-solution/2011/05/03/higher-education-bubble-will-burst Higher education bubble will burst - U.S. News and World Report]

</ref> The'' [[Wall Street Journal]]'' reported in 2013 that the percentage of Americans going to college has been decreasing for 3 years in the USA.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2013/04/college-enrollment-shows-signs-of.html College enrollment shows signs of slowing which means less post high school evolutionary indoctrination. Also, the ever shrinking role of tenured evolutionist professors and evolutionary biologists]</ref>

</ref> The'' [[Wall Street Journal]]'' reported in 2013 that the percentage of Americans going to college has been decreasing for 3 years in the USA.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2013/04/college-enrollment-shows-signs-of.html College enrollment shows signs of slowing which means less post high school evolutionary indoctrination. Also, the ever shrinking role of tenured evolutionist professors and evolutionary biologists]</ref>

[[File:Edward Tabash 2013.jpg|thumbnail|left|190px|[[Eddie Tabash]]

[[File:Edward Tabash 2013.jpg|thumbnail|left|190px|[[Eddie Tabash]]

<small>(photo obtained from [http://www.flickr.com/photos/reuvenim/4426093513/ Wikimedia Commons], see [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en  license agreement])</small>]]

<small>(photo obtained from [https://www.flickr.com/photos/reuvenim/4426093513/ Wikimedia Commons], see [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en  license agreement])</small>]]

The American atheist activist [[Eddie Tabash]] said at the 2010 Michigan Atheists State Convention:

The American atheist activist [[Eddie Tabash]] said at the 2010 Michigan Atheists State Convention:

{{Cquote|In every generation there has been a promising beginning of a true vanguard movement that will finally achieve widespread public acceptance for nonbelief. Yet, in each generation there has been an ultimately disappointing failure to actually register the [[Naturalism (philosophy)|naturalistic alternative]] to supernatural claims in the public consciousness...

{{Cquote|In every generation there has been a promising beginning of a true vanguard movement that will finally achieve widespread public acceptance for nonbelief. Yet, in each generation there has been an ultimately disappointing failure to actually register the [[Naturalism (philosophy)|naturalistic alternative]] to supernatural claims in the public consciousness...