Changes

In 2010, it was reported that the rate of secularisation flattened to zero in most of [[Protestantism|Protestant]] Europe and France.<ref>[http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/shall_the_religious_inherit_the_earth/ Shall the religious inherit the earth]</ref> In terms of the English speaking world, Google trend data as of August 2013 indicates that the world's interest in atheism and [[evolution]]ism has declined since 2004 while interest in [[God]] has increased.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2013/08/google-trends-interest-in-atheism.html Google trends: Interest in atheism and evolution down. Google searches for God are up. Atheism beaches will be softened up before major attacks on atheism ]</ref>

In 2010, it was reported that the rate of secularisation flattened to zero in most of [[Protestantism|Protestant]] Europe and France.<ref>[http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/shall_the_religious_inherit_the_earth/ Shall the religious inherit the earth]</ref> In terms of the English speaking world, Google trend data as of August 2013 indicates that the world's interest in atheism and [[evolution]]ism has declined since 2004 while interest in [[God]] has increased.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2013/08/google-trends-interest-in-atheism.html Google trends: Interest in atheism and evolution down. Google searches for God are up. Atheism beaches will be softened up before major attacks on atheism ]</ref>

[[Image:Amish Republicans.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Many Amish have large families and in 2012 the Amish were named the fastest growing faith group in the United States and the Amish population is projected to grow to 1 million people by 2050.<ref>[http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2012/1130/For-Amish-fastest-growing-faith-group-in-US-life-is-changing  For Amish, fastest-growing faith group in US, life is changing]</ref>

[[Image:Amish Republicans.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Many Amish have large families and in 2012 the Amish were named the fastest growing faith group in the United States and the Amish population is projected to grow to 1 million people by 2050.<ref>[https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2012/1130/For-Amish-fastest-growing-faith-group-in-US-life-is-changing  For Amish, fastest-growing faith group in US, life is changing]</ref>

In the above picture, Amish residents are waving to President George W. Bush (Lancaster, Pa., August 2006)]]

In the above picture, Amish residents are waving to President George W. Bush (Lancaster, Pa., August 2006)]]

In terms of its geographic distribution, Christianity is the most globally diverse religion.<ref>

In terms of its geographic distribution, Christianity is the most globally diverse religion.<ref>

*[http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/08/27/many-religions-heavily-concentrated-in-one-or-two-countries/ Many religions heavily concentrated in one or two countries]

*[https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/08/27/many-religions-heavily-concentrated-in-one-or-two-countries/ Many religions heavily concentrated in one or two countries]

*[http://wwwgordonconwell.com/netcommunity/CSGCResources/ChristianityinitsGlobalContext.pdf Christianity in its global context]</ref>  Christianity has recently seen explosive growth outside the [[Western World]].<ref>

*[http://wwwgordonconwell.com/netcommunity/CSGCResources/ChristianityinitsGlobalContext.pdf Christianity in its global context]</ref>  Christianity has recently seen explosive growth outside the [[Western World]].<ref>

*[http://pewforum.org/Christian/Faith-and-Conflict-The-Global-Rise-of-Christianity.aspx The global rise of Christianity - Pew Forum]

*[http://pewforum.org/Christian/Faith-and-Conflict-The-Global-Rise-of-Christianity.aspx The global rise of Christianity - Pew Forum]

At the present time, Christianity is experiencing explosive growth in China (See: [[Growth of Christianity in China]]).

At the present time, Christianity is experiencing explosive growth in China (See: [[Growth of Christianity in China]]).

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>

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>

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:

== Future of Islam in Europe and the desecularization of Europe ==

== Future of Islam in Europe and the desecularization of Europe ==

[[File:StarCresent.png|thumbnail|200px|left|According to Pew Forum, by 2030 Muslims are projected to make up 8% of Europe's population.<ref>[http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/11/17/5-facts-about-the-muslim-population-in-europe/ 5 facts about the Muslim population in Europe] by Conrad Hackett, Pew Forum, November 17, 2015</ref>]]

[[File:StarCresent.png|thumbnail|200px|left|According to Pew Forum, by 2030 Muslims are projected to make up 8% of Europe's population.<ref>[https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/11/17/5-facts-about-the-muslim-population-in-europe/ 5 facts about the Muslim population in Europe] by Conrad Hackett, Pew Forum, November 17, 2015</ref>]]

''See also:'' [[Atheism vs. Islam]]

''See also:'' [[Atheism vs. Islam]]

According to Pew Forum:

According to Pew Forum:

{{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/2015/11/17/5-facts-about-the-muslim-population-in-europe/ 5 facts about the Muslim population in Europe] by Conrad Hackett, Pew Forum, November 17, 2015</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>[https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/11/17/5-facts-about-the-muslim-population-in-europe/ 5 facts about the Muslim population in Europe] by Conrad Hackett, Pew Forum, November 17, 2015</ref>}}

Professor Philip Jenkins at Penn State University projects that by 2100, Muslims will be about 25% of Europe's population. Jenkins indicates that this figure does not take account divergent birthrates amongst Europe's various immigrant Christians.<ref>Philip Jenkins, ''Demographics, Religion, and the Future of Europe'', Orbis: A Journal of World Affairs, vol. 50, no. 3, pp. 533, summer 2006</ref>

Professor Philip Jenkins at Penn State University projects that by 2100, Muslims will be about 25% of Europe's population. Jenkins indicates that this figure does not take account divergent birthrates amongst Europe's various immigrant Christians.<ref>Philip Jenkins, ''Demographics, Religion, and the Future of Europe'', Orbis: A Journal of World Affairs, vol. 50, no. 3, pp. 533, summer 2006</ref>

=== 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>[https://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>[https://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>[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>

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>

Since [[World War II]] a majority of the most prominent and vocal defenders of the [[evolution]]ary position which employs [[methodological naturalism]] have been [[Atheism|atheists]] and agnostics.<ref>

Since [[World War II]] a majority of the most prominent and vocal defenders of the [[evolution]]ary position which employs [[methodological naturalism]] have been [[Atheism|atheists]] and agnostics.<ref>

* Dr. Don Batten, [http://creation.com/a-whos-who-of-evolutionists A ''Who’s Who'' of evolutionists] ''Creation'' 20(1):32, December 1997.

* Dr. Don Batten, [https://creation.com/a-whos-who-of-evolutionists A ''Who’s Who'' of evolutionists] ''Creation'' 20(1):32, December 1997.

* [[Jonathan Sarfati]], Ph.D.,F.M., [http://www.creation.com/content/view/3830 ''Refuting Evolution'', Chapter 1, Facts and Bias]

* [[Jonathan Sarfati]], Ph.D.,F.M., [http://www.creation.com/content/view/3830 ''Refuting Evolution'', Chapter 1, Facts and Bias]

</ref>  

</ref>  

In the [[United States]], in the latter part of the 20th century, political victories by the [[secular left]]/[[liberal Christianity]]/liberal [[theism|theists]] helped cause a rise in the political influence of the [[religious right]].<ref>[https://www.hkw.de/en/programm/projekte/2007/new_york/texte_5/Ostendorf.php The Nation with a soul of a church]</ref>

In the [[United States]], in the latter part of the 20th century, political victories by the [[secular left]]/[[liberal Christianity]]/liberal [[theism|theists]] helped cause a rise in the political influence of the [[religious right]].<ref>[https://www.hkw.de/en/programm/projekte/2007/new_york/texte_5/Ostendorf.php The Nation with a soul of a church]</ref>

Recently, the secular left has shifted many universities politically to the left and instituted practices such as [[political correctness]] and a greater degree of discrimination in the hiring of conservative professors.<ref>[http://townhall.com/columnists/rachelalexander/2013/06/10/suspicions-confirmed-academia-shutting-out-conservative-professors-n1616406/page/full Suspicions Confirmed: Academia Shutting Out Conservative Professors]</ref>  For example, in 2013, an study found that academia was less likely to hire evangelical Christians due to discriminatory attitudes.<ref>[http://townhall.com/columnists/rachelalexander/2013/06/10/suspicions-confirmed-academia-shutting-out-conservative-professors-n1616406/page/full Suspicions Confirmed: Academia Shutting Out Conservative Professors]</ref>  In addition, [[same-sex marriage]] was legalized in the United States in 2015 and some Christian businesses which deal with weddings such as bakers have been fined for refusing service to homosexuals who wanted their services related to weddings. Historically, biblical Christianity has often thrived during periods of increased persecution/discrimination.

Recently, the secular left has shifted many universities politically to the left and instituted practices such as [[political correctness]] and a greater degree of discrimination in the hiring of conservative professors.<ref>[https://townhall.com/columnists/rachelalexander/2013/06/10/suspicions-confirmed-academia-shutting-out-conservative-professors-n1616406/page/full Suspicions Confirmed: Academia Shutting Out Conservative Professors]</ref>  For example, in 2013, an study found that academia was less likely to hire evangelical Christians due to discriminatory attitudes.<ref>[https://townhall.com/columnists/rachelalexander/2013/06/10/suspicions-confirmed-academia-shutting-out-conservative-professors-n1616406/page/full Suspicions Confirmed: Academia Shutting Out Conservative Professors]</ref>  In addition, [[same-sex marriage]] was legalized in the United States in 2015 and some Christian businesses which deal with weddings such as bakers have been fined for refusing service to homosexuals who wanted their services related to weddings. Historically, biblical Christianity has often thrived during periods of increased persecution/discrimination.

The academic article ''The Nation with the Soul of a Church'' declared:

The academic article ''The Nation with the Soul of a Church'' declared:

China, with its large population and lack of reliable data on religious switching, [http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/main-factors-driving-population-growth/#the-potential-impact-of-religious-switching-in-china is something of a wild card] when it comes to the future of world religion. This is especially true for the religiously unaffiliated population; more than half of the world’s people who do not identify with any religion live in China (roughly 700 million).

China, with its large population and lack of reliable data on religious switching, [http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/main-factors-driving-population-growth/#the-potential-impact-of-religious-switching-in-china is something of a wild card] when it comes to the future of world religion. This is especially true for the religiously unaffiliated population; more than half of the world’s people who do not identify with any religion live in China (roughly 700 million).

Some experts believe the Christian population in China is rising while the religiously unaffiliated population is falling. If this is true – and the trend continues – religious “nones” could decline as a share of the world’s population even more than the Pew Research Center study projects.<ref>[http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/04/03/why-people-with-no-religion-are-projected-to-decline-as-a-share-of-the-worlds-population/ Why people with no religion are projected to decline as a share of the world’s population], Pew Forum</ref>}}

Some experts believe the Christian population in China is rising while the religiously unaffiliated population is falling. If this is true – and the trend continues – religious “nones” could decline as a share of the world’s population even more than the Pew Research Center study projects.<ref>[https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/04/03/why-people-with-no-religion-are-projected-to-decline-as-a-share-of-the-worlds-population/ Why people with no religion are projected to decline as a share of the world’s population], Pew Forum</ref>}}

[[Eric Kaufmann]] told a secular audience in Australia: "The trends that are happening worldwide inevitably in an age of globalization are going to affect us."<ref>[http://fora.tv/2010/09/05/Eric_Kaufmann_Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth Shall the religious inherit the earth]</ref> Furthermore, Kaufmann also argues that secularization may reverse itself significantly earlier than 2050 in the West due to religious immigration and a religious population which is increasingly resistant to secularization in Europe.<ref>*[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/08/european-christian-immigration-will.html European immigration will pour Christian creationists into Europe]

[[Eric Kaufmann]] told a secular audience in Australia: "The trends that are happening worldwide inevitably in an age of globalization are going to affect us."<ref>[http://fora.tv/2010/09/05/Eric_Kaufmann_Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth Shall the religious inherit the earth]</ref> Furthermore, Kaufmann also argues that secularization may reverse itself significantly earlier than 2050 in the West due to religious immigration and a religious population which is increasingly resistant to secularization in Europe.<ref>*[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/08/european-christian-immigration-will.html European immigration will pour Christian creationists into Europe]