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| | ''See also:'' [[Christianity statistics]] | | ''See also:'' [[Christianity statistics]] |
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| − | Historically, Christianity has had a positive effect on societies and there are a number of statistics which demonstrate this matter (see: [[Christianity statistics]]). | + | Historically, Christianity has had a positive effect on societies, and there are a number of statistics which demonstrate this matter (see: [[Christianity statistics]]). |
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| | === Christianity and social stability === | | === Christianity and social stability === |
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| | ''See also:'' [[Atheism vs. Christianity]] | | ''See also:'' [[Atheism vs. Christianity]] |
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| − | In the latter half of the 1600s, there was [[French atheism#Clandestine French atheism in the 1600s and 1700s|an increase]] in the degree of ideological conflict between [[atheism]] and Christianity in the [[Western World]]. At first the conflict was of a secretive nature via the use of clandestine tracts.<ref>[http://fivebooks.com/interview/jonathan-israel-on-the-enlightenment/ Jonathan Israel on The Enlightenment]</ref><ref>The material was formerly at the University of Cambridge's Investigation Atheism website. A website which closed down. The material has been transferred to [http://www.mmfase.com/18th-century.html 18th Century History], Investigating Atheism</ref> | + | In the latter half of the 1600s, there was [[French atheism#Clandestine French atheism in the 1600s and 1700s|an increase]] in the degree of ideological conflict between [[atheism]] and Christianity in the [[Western World]]. At first, the conflict was of a secretive nature via the use of clandestine tracts.<ref>[http://fivebooks.com/interview/jonathan-israel-on-the-enlightenment/ Jonathan Israel on The Enlightenment]</ref><ref>The material was formerly at the University of Cambridge's Investigating Atheism website, which has closed down. The material has been transferred to [http://www.mmfase.com/18th-century.html 18th Century History], Investigating Atheism</ref> |
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| − | As a result of [[militant atheism]] in the 20th century, there was widespread persecution against Christians in [[Communist]] countries such as the former [[Soviet Union]]. various Communist countries such as China continue to persecute Christians (see: [[Communism and religious persecution]]). | + | As a result of [[militant atheism]] in the 20th century, there was widespread persecution against Christians in [[Communist]] countries such as the former [[Soviet Union]]. Various Communist countries such as China continue to persecute Christians (see: [[Communism and religious persecution]]). |
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| − | The 21st century is projected to be a century of [[desecularization]] and atheists are expected to lose influence in the West (and the world as a whole) as a result of religious immigration and the religious conservatives having a much higher fertility rate (see also: [[Growth of global desecularization]]). | + | The 21st century is projected to be a century of [[desecularization]], and atheists are expected to lose influence in the West (and the world as a whole) as a result of religious immigration and the religious conservatives having a much higher fertility rate (see also: [[Growth of global desecularization]]). |
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| | In 2011, the ''American Spectator'' declared about the global population: | | In 2011, the ''American Spectator'' declared about the global population: |