Changes

The current [[Atheist Population|atheist population]] mostly resides in East Asia (particularly China) and in secular Europe/Australia among whites.<ref>[https://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: [[Western atheism and race]]

The current [[Atheist Population|atheist population]] mostly resides in East Asia (particularly China) and in secular Europe/Australia among whites.<ref>[https://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: [[Western atheism and race]]

According to ''Slate'', "[[Protestantism|Protestant]] Christianity has been the fastest growing religion in China."<ref>[http://www.slate.com/bigideas/what-is-the-future-of-religion/essays-and-opinions/fenggang-yang-opinion When Will China Become the World’s Largest Christian Country?], Slate</ref>  [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical Christianity]] is especially growing sharply in China.<ref>[http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2015/0111/In-China-a-church-state-showdown-of-biblical-proportions In China, a church-state showdown of biblical proportions]</ref> See also: [[Asian atheism]]

According to ''Slate'', "[[Protestantism|Protestant]] Christianity has been the fastest growing religion in China."<ref>[http://www.slate.com/bigideas/what-is-the-future-of-religion/essays-and-opinions/fenggang-yang-opinion When Will China Become the World’s Largest Christian Country?], Slate</ref>  [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical Christianity]] is especially growing sharply in China.<ref>[https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2015/0111/In-China-a-church-state-showdown-of-biblical-proportions In China, a church-state showdown of biblical proportions]</ref> See also: [[Asian atheism]]

On November 1, 2014, an article in ''The Economist'' entitled ''Cracks in the atheist edifice'' declared:

On November 1, 2014, an article in ''The Economist'' entitled ''Cracks in the atheist edifice'' declared:

{{cquote|A senior Chinese advisor on religious affairs has said the country should promote atheism throughout society, in remarks that appear to reflect a deepening campaign to reinforce traditional Marxist values in China — and could add to concern about official attitudes among believers in the country’s five officially recognized religions.<ref>[http://www.ibtimes.com/senior-chinese-religious-advisor-calls-promotion-atheism-society-2363850 Senior Chinese Religious Advisor Calls For Promotion Of Atheism In Society], ''International Business Times''</ref>}}

{{cquote|A senior Chinese advisor on religious affairs has said the country should promote atheism throughout society, in remarks that appear to reflect a deepening campaign to reinforce traditional Marxist values in China — and could add to concern about official attitudes among believers in the country’s five officially recognized religions.<ref>[http://www.ibtimes.com/senior-chinese-religious-advisor-calls-promotion-atheism-society-2363850 Senior Chinese Religious Advisor Calls For Promotion Of Atheism In Society], ''International Business Times''</ref>}}

There is growing persecution of Christians by the Chinese government.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/04/22/martyr-killed-by-bulldozer-becomes-symbol-growing-persecution-christians-in-china.html Martyr killed by bulldozer becomes symbol of growing persecution of Christians in China]</ref> Historically persecution has often been an ineffective means to stop the growth of Christianity in a region.<ref>[http://oprev.org/2011/07/persecution-does-it-help-or-hurt-church-growth/ Persecution: Does It Help or Hurt Church Growth?]</ref> Persecution and exponential Christian growth have frequently coincided. On the other hand, persecution often coincides with diminishing Christianity.<ref>[http://oprev.org/2011/07/persecution-does-it-help-or-hurt-church-growth/ Persecution: Does It Help or Hurt Church Growth?]</ref>   

There is growing persecution of Christians by the Chinese government.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/04/22/martyr-killed-by-bulldozer-becomes-symbol-growing-persecution-christians-in-china.html Martyr killed by bulldozer becomes symbol of growing persecution of Christians in China]</ref> Historically persecution has often been an ineffective means to stop the growth of Christianity in a region.<ref>[http://oprev.org/2011/07/persecution-does-it-help-or-hurt-church-growth/ Persecution: Does It Help or Hurt Church Growth?]</ref> Persecution and exponential Christian growth have frequently coincided. On the other hand, persecution often coincides with diminishing Christianity.<ref>[http://oprev.org/2011/07/persecution-does-it-help-or-hurt-church-growth/ Persecution: Does It Help or Hurt Church Growth?]</ref>   

The historian Martin Van Crevel points out that sovereign states are losing power/influence due to technology democratizing access to information, welfare states increasingly failing, [[fourth-generation warfare]] being waged against countries and sovereign states increasingly losing their ability to maintain internal order.<ref>[http://strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/parameters/Articles/96spring/creveld.htm The Fate of the State] by MARTIN VAN CREVELD</ref><ref>[https://www.sonshi.com/martin-van-creveld-interview.html Martin van Creveld interview]</ref>

The historian Martin Van Crevel points out that sovereign states are losing power/influence due to technology democratizing access to information, welfare states increasingly failing, [[fourth-generation warfare]] being waged against countries and sovereign states increasingly losing their ability to maintain internal order.<ref>[http://strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/parameters/Articles/96spring/creveld.htm The Fate of the State] by MARTIN VAN CREVELD</ref><ref>[https://www.sonshi.com/martin-van-creveld-interview.html Martin van Creveld interview]</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  

*[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  

*[http://www.christianpost.com/news/panel-looks-at-christianitys-rapid-growth-in-china-despite-persecution-120850/ Panel Looks at Christianity's Rapid Growth in China Despite Persecution] - Christian Post, June 4, 2014

*[http://www.christianpost.com/news/panel-looks-at-christianitys-rapid-growth-in-china-despite-persecution-120850/ Panel Looks at Christianity's Rapid Growth in China Despite Persecution] - Christian Post, June 4, 2014

*[http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/376329/chinas-exploding-christian-population-still-facing-persecution-bob-fu China’s Exploding Christian Population Still Facing Persecution], ''National Review'', April 22, 2014

*[https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/376329/chinas-exploding-christian-population-still-facing-persecution-bob-fu China’s Exploding Christian Population Still Facing Persecution], ''National Review'', April 22, 2014

*[http://www.gospelherald.com/articles/48858/20130913/significant-growth-numbers-chinese-christians.htm Significant Growth in Numbers of Chinese Christians], ''Gospel Herald'',  September 13, 2013

*[http://www.gospelherald.com/articles/48858/20130913/significant-growth-numbers-chinese-christians.htm Significant Growth in Numbers of Chinese Christians], ''Gospel Herald'',  September 13, 2013