Changes

[[File:Blue Marble.jpg|thumbnail|right|175px|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|175px|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>[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> See: [[Global atheism]] ]]

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>  Presently, there are number of excellent sources indicating that the percentage of atheists in the world is declining (seee: [[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>  Presently, there are number of excellent sources indicating that the percentage of atheists in the world is declining (seee: [[Global atheism statistics]]).  

On July 24, 2013, ''CNS News'' reported about [[global atheism]]:

On July 24, 2013, ''CNS News'' reported about [[global atheism]]:

{{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, the agnostic [[Eric Kaufmann]], a professor at [[Birkbeck College, University of London]],Kaufmann wrote:

On December 23, 2012, the agnostic [[Eric Kaufmann]], a professor at [[Birkbeck College, University of London]],Kaufmann wrote:

*[http://fora.tv/2010/09/05/Eric_Kaufmann_Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth Eric Kaufmann: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?, Australian Broadcasting Corporation]</ref>  

*[http://fora.tv/2010/09/05/Eric_Kaufmann_Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth Eric Kaufmann: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?, Australian Broadcasting Corporation]</ref>  

In addition, Kaufmann argues that religious conservatism has a long term trend of rising and that their influence in the world will significantly increase.<ref>[http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London]</ref> Kaufmann is author of the book ''Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?''.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books/about/Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth.html?id=nXVylycU2gQC Shall the religious inherit the earth by David Kaufmann]</ref><ref>[http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf Early paper - Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London]</ref> In the [[Western World]] due to immigration and the higher birth rates of religious people, Kaufman writes: "Committed religious populations are growing in the

In addition, Kaufmann argues that religious conservatism has a long term trend of rising and that their influence in the world will significantly increase.<ref>[http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London]</ref> Kaufmann is author of the book ''Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?''.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books/about/Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth.html?id=nXVylycU2gQC Shall the religious inherit the earth by David Kaufmann]</ref><ref>[http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf Early paper - Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London]</ref> In the [[Western World]] due to immigration and the higher birth rates of religious people, Kaufman writes: "Committed religious populations are growing in the

West, and will reverse the march of secularism before 2050."<ref>[http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf Early paper - Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London]</ref>  

West, and will reverse the march of secularism before 2050."<ref>[http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf Early paper - Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London]</ref>  

=== Aging population and religiosity ===

=== Aging population and religiosity ===

In addition, currently the [[Western World]] population is aging in terms of its demographic makeup, particularly in secular [[Europe]], and it has been found that belief in God grows as a person's death nears.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/18/us-religion-belief-idUSBRE83H05W20120418 Belief in God grows as mortality nears, survey says]</ref><ref>[http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2008/03/the-demographic-winter-and-the The Demographic Winter and the Barren Left]</ref>

In addition, currently the [[Western World]] population is aging in terms of its demographic makeup, particularly in secular [[Europe]], and it has been found that belief in God grows as a person's death nears.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/18/us-religion-belief-idUSBRE83H05W20120418 Belief in God grows as mortality nears, survey says]</ref><ref>[http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2008/03/the-demographic-winter-and-the The Demographic Winter and the Barren Left]</ref>

=== Economic stagnation/instability and Europe ===

=== Economic stagnation/instability and Europe ===

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 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 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>}}

=== Projected growth of evangelical Christianity in Asia ===

=== Projected growth of evangelical Christianity in Asia ===

=== Growing anti-Muslim sentiments in Europe and its possible effects ===

=== Growing anti-Muslim sentiments in Europe and its possible effects ===

In recent years, there is growing anti-Muslim and anti-immigration political activities in Europe and growing violence against Muslims.  Muslims not assimilating into European society, [[Islamic terrorism]] in Europe and high-profile incidences of Muslim migrants raping native European women is contributing to anti-Islamic sentiments and violence against Muslims.<ref>[http://www.dw.com/en/attacks-against-muslims-on-the-rise-after-paris-strikes/a-18878424 Attacks against Muslims on the rise after Paris strikes]</ref><ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/article/429493/cologne-rape-jihad-muslim-migrants-europe-fantasy-islam When Worlds Collide: Unassimilable Muslim Migrants Crash Europe’s Fantasy Islam]</ref><ref>[http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2015/03/muslim_sacralized_rape_and_feminized_sweden.html Muslim Sacralized rape and feminized Sweden]</ref>  

In recent years, there is growing anti-Muslim and anti-immigration political activities in Europe and growing violence against Muslims.  Muslims not assimilating into European society, [[Islamic terrorism]] in Europe and high-profile incidences of Muslim migrants raping native European women is contributing to anti-Islamic sentiments and violence against Muslims.<ref>[http://www.dw.com/en/attacks-against-muslims-on-the-rise-after-paris-strikes/a-18878424 Attacks against Muslims on the rise after Paris strikes]</ref><ref>[http://www.nationalreview.com/article/429493/cologne-rape-jihad-muslim-migrants-europe-fantasy-islam When Worlds Collide: Unassimilable Muslim Migrants Crash Europe’s Fantasy Islam]</ref><ref>[https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2015/03/muslim_sacralized_rape_and_feminized_sweden.html Muslim Sacralized rape and feminized Sweden]</ref>  

Given Europe's violence in the past and its [[Eurozone Crisis|economic problems]], it is argued that anti-Muslim violence will increase and that an expulsion of Muslims from various European countries may occur.<ref>[http://www.jewishpolicycenter.org/90/europes-future Europe's future]</ref><ref>[http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/08/the-major-roadblock-to-muslim-assimilation-in-europe/243769/ The Major Roadblock to Muslim Assimilation in Europe], The Atlantic, 2011</ref> In 2015, Spanish police were accused of breaking international law by beating African migrants who climbed border fences and deporting them on the spot without asylum procedures.<ref>[http://shoebat.com/2015/01/19/government-spain-makes-new-law-muslims-will-no-longer-allowed-come-borders/ Government Of Spain Makes New Law: Muslims Will No Longer Be Allowed To Come Through Our Borders]</ref>

Given Europe's violence in the past and its [[Eurozone Crisis|economic problems]], it is argued that anti-Muslim violence will increase and that an expulsion of Muslims from various European countries may occur.<ref>[http://www.jewishpolicycenter.org/90/europes-future Europe's future]</ref><ref>[https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/08/the-major-roadblock-to-muslim-assimilation-in-europe/243769/ The Major Roadblock to Muslim Assimilation in Europe], The Atlantic, 2011</ref> In 2015, Spanish police were accused of breaking international law by beating African migrants who climbed border fences and deporting them on the spot without asylum procedures.<ref>[http://shoebat.com/2015/01/19/government-spain-makes-new-law-muslims-will-no-longer-allowed-come-borders/ Government Of Spain Makes New Law: Muslims Will No Longer Be Allowed To Come Through Our Borders]</ref>

== Rapid growth of global creationism ==

== Rapid growth of global creationism ==

Reiss told the Guardian that countries with a higher proportion of Muslims or fundamentalist Christians in their population were more likely to reject evolution. He added: "What the Turks believe today is what the Germans and British believe tomorrow. It is because of the mass movement of people between countries.

Reiss told the Guardian that countries with a higher proportion of Muslims or fundamentalist Christians in their population were more likely to reject evolution. He added: "What the Turks believe today is what the Germans and British believe tomorrow. It is because of the mass movement of people between countries.

"These things can no longer be thought of as occurring in other countries. In London, where I work, there are increasingly quite large numbers of highly intelligent 16, 17 and 18-year-olds doing Advanced Level biology who do not accept evolution. That's either because they come from a fundamentalist Christian background or from Muslim backgrounds."<ref>[http://www.theguardian.com/science/2009/nov/13/migration-creationism-evolution-michael-reiss Migration is spreading creationism across Europe, claims academic] by  Riazat Butt, religious affairs correspondent, Friday 13 November 2009 07.49 EST</ref>}}

"These things can no longer be thought of as occurring in other countries. In London, where I work, there are increasingly quite large numbers of highly intelligent 16, 17 and 18-year-olds doing Advanced Level biology who do not accept evolution. That's either because they come from a fundamentalist Christian background or from Muslim backgrounds."<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/science/2009/nov/13/migration-creationism-evolution-michael-reiss Migration is spreading creationism across Europe, claims academic] by  Riazat Butt, religious affairs correspondent, Friday 13 November 2009 07.49 EST</ref>}}

==== New atheist Richard Dawkins on Islamic creationism and multiculturism ====

==== New atheist Richard Dawkins on Islamic creationism and multiculturism ====

''Newsbusters'' reported in 2009:

''Newsbusters'' reported in 2009:

{{cquote|Newsweek tantalizingly proclaimed on its cover “The Decline and Fall of Christian America,” and Meacham's article was titled, “The End of Christian America,” (during Holy Week, no less) Meacham himself stated, “rumors of the death of Christianity are greatly exaggerated” and that “there is no doubt that the nation remains vibrantly religious – far more so, for instance than Europe."<ref>[http://www.newsbusters.org/articles/hitchens-americas-enemy-most-godly-imaginable-group Hitchens: America's Enemy 'Most Godly Imaginable Group'], Newsbusters</ref>}}

{{cquote|Newsweek tantalizingly proclaimed on its cover “The Decline and Fall of Christian America,” and Meacham's article was titled, “The End of Christian America,” (during Holy Week, no less) Meacham himself stated, “rumors of the death of Christianity are greatly exaggerated” and that “there is no doubt that the nation remains vibrantly religious – far more so, for instance than Europe."<ref>[https://www.newsbusters.org/articles/hitchens-americas-enemy-most-godly-imaginable-group Hitchens: America's Enemy 'Most Godly Imaginable Group'], Newsbusters</ref>}}

== Christian revivals/awakenings and desecularization ==

== Christian revivals/awakenings and desecularization ==