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→New Atheism movement and contention between atheist men and women
Within the militant [[New Atheism]] movement, there appears to be a significant amount of contention between men and women with complaints from women that there is a significant amount of misogny within the atheist community and its leadership is too heavily populated with men.<ref>http://atheism-analyzed.blogspot.com/2011/07/dawkins-drives-skepchick-into-feminism.html</ref><ref>http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2010/11/01/will-new-atheism-make-room-for-women/</ref> This may partly explain why Western atheism is less appealing to Western women (see: [[Atheism and women|Atheism appears to be significantly less appealing to women]]). In addition, the significant amount of contention between men and women may apply to Western atheism as a whole (see: [[Atheist factions]]).
Within the militant [[New Atheism]] movement, there appears to be a significant amount of contention between men and women with complaints from women that there is a significant amount of misogny within the atheist community and its leadership is too heavily populated with men.<ref>http://atheism-analyzed.blogspot.com/2011/07/dawkins-drives-skepchick-into-feminism.html</ref><ref>http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2010/11/01/will-new-atheism-make-room-for-women/</ref> This may partly explain why Western atheism is less appealing to Western women (see: [[Atheism and women|Atheism appears to be significantly less appealing to women]]). In addition, the significant amount of contention between men and women may apply to Western atheism as a whole (see: [[Atheist factions]]).
== Atheism losing adherents in terms of the global population ==
[[File:Graph-crash.png|200px|thumbnail|right|The 2004 to 2007 publicity campaign for atheism in the [[Western World]] was not sustainable. The level of public interest in atheism is not coming back in the West and [[global atheism]] is shrinking.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-2004-to-2007-publicity-campaign-for.html The 2004 to 2007 publicity campaign for atheism was not sustainable. Level of public interest is not coming back]</ref> ]]
''See also:'' [[Global atheism]] and [[American atheism]] and [[Atheist Population]] and [[Resources for leaving atheism and becoming a Christian]]
In 2012, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary reported that globally every day there are 800 less atheists per day, 1,100 less non-religious ([[agnosticism|agnostic]]) people per day and 83,000 more people professing to be Christians per day.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/05/globally-worldviews-of-atheism-and-non.html Globally the worldviews of atheism and non-religious (agnostic) are declining while global Christianity is exploding in adherents]</ref><ref>[http://www.gordonconwell.edu/resources/documents/StatusOfGlobalMission.pdf Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary - Status of Global Missions]</ref>
In 2011, the ''[[American Spectator]]'' citing research published in the ''International Bulletin of Missionary Research'' reported that atheism is on the decline as a whole in terms of adherents .<ref>http://spectator.org/archives/2011/02/28/thriving-christianity</ref><ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/05/globally-worldviews-of-atheism-and-non.html Globally the worldviews of atheism and non-religious (agnostic) are declining while global Christianity is exploding in adherents]</ref>
The ''American Spectator'' declared:
{{cquote|The report estimates about 80,000 new [[Christianity|Christians]] every day, 79,000 new [[Islam|Muslims]] every day, and 300 fewer atheists every day. These atheists are presumably disproportionately represented in the [[Western World|West]], while religion is thriving in the Global South, where [[Charismatic movement|charismatic Christianity]] is exploding."<ref>http://spectator.org/archives/2011/02/28/thriving-christianity</ref>}}
In 2009, the book ''A sceptics guide to atheism'' indicated: "A worldwide poll taken in 1991
put the global figure for atheists at just 4.4% of the population. By 2006 it was estimated that only 2% of the world population were atheists."<ref>[http://www.facingthechallenge.org/scepticsguide.pdf ''A sceptics guide to atheism'', page 4]</ref>
In 2012 an article entitled ''Atheism in decline'' by Nigel Tomes declared:
{{cquote|The IBMR publishes yearly figures for religions (and non religions) around the globe. Their latest numbers, hot off the press (Jan. 2012) show some interesting trends.
Atheism is in Decline
In 1970 atheists (those avowing there is no God) numbered 166 million worldwide; that was almost one-in-twenty—4.5% of the globe’s population. By 2012 atheists’ number is estimated at 137 million. That’s a decline of almost 30 million. Since world population is growing, atheists’ share declined to less than one-in-fifty—under 2% in 2012. Put differently, every 24 hours there are 800 fewer atheists in the world! Atheism is in decline.
Agnosticism is in Decline
In 2000 agnostics (those who “don’t know” if there is a God) numbered 666 million, 10.9% of the world’s people. By 2012 agnostic’s number is estimated at 661 million--a decline of 5 million. In relative terms by 2012 agnostics represent less than one tenth (9.4%) of world population. Every 24 hours there are 1,100 less agnostics in the world. Agnostics are also in decline.
Added together these two groups make up a declining share of global population. In 1970 atheists and agnostics accounted for one-in-five (19.2%) of the world’s people. Based on current trends by 2025 they will represent less than one-in-ten (9.7%). Their population share will fall by half in 50+ years.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/05/globally-worldviews-of-atheism-and-non.html Globally the worldviews of atheism and non-religious (agnostic) are declining while global Christianity is exploding in adherents]</ref>}}
=== Decline of atheism in terms of global adherents is expected to accelerate ===
[[File:Birkbeck College, University of London.jpg|right|thumbnail|250px|Eric Kaufmann, a professor at [[Birkbeck College, University of London]], using a a wealth of demographic studies argues the decline of atheism in terms of its global adherents is an established trend that will persist for the foreseeable future and the rate of decline will accelerate.<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><ref>[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/2011/05/eric-kaufmann-shall-religious-inherit.html Eric Kaufmann: Shall The Religious Inherit The Earth?]</ref><ref>[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/search/label/atheist%20demographics Eric Kaufmann's Atheist Demographic series]</ref><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>]]
''See also:'' [[Global atheism]] and [[American atheism]] and [[Atheist Population]] and [[Resources for leaving atheism and becoming a Christian]]
Eric Kaufmann, a professor at Birkbeck, University of London, using a a wealth of demographic studies argues the decline of atheism in terms of its global adherents is an established trend that will persist for the foreseeable future and the rate of decline will accelerate.<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><ref>[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/2011/05/eric-kaufmann-shall-religious-inherit.html Eric Kaufmann: Shall The Religious Inherit The Earth?]</ref><ref>[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/search/label/atheist%20demographics Eric Kaufmann's Atheist Demographic series]</ref><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
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>
Michael Blume, a researcher at the University of Jena in Germany, wrote "Most societies or communities that have espoused atheistic beliefs have not survived more than a century."<ref>[http://www.scilogs.eu/en/blog/biology-of-religion/2011-01-06/atheists-a-dying-breed-as-nature-favours-faithful-sunday-times-jan-02-2011-jonathan-leake-full-draft-version Atheist: A dying breed as nature favours faithful]</ref> Blume also indicated concerning concerning his research on this matter: "What I found was the complete lack of a single case of a secular population, community or movement that would just manage to retain replacement level."<ref>[http://www.scilogs.eu/en/blog/biology-of-religion/2011-01-06/atheists-a-dying-breed-as-nature-favours-faithful-sunday-times-jan-02-2011-jonathan-leake-full-draft-version Atheist: A dying breed as nature favours faithful]</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>[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>
For more information please see the article: [[Atheist Population|Atheist population]]
=== Decline of American 1990s secularism ===
For more information please see:
* [[American atheism]]
* [[Decline of American 1990s secularism]]
*[[Demographics and the expected decline of American secularism]]
=== Prominent atheism websites loss of global market share ===
[[File:Losing.jpeg|thumbnail|250px|right|The article ''[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/05/internet-atheism-and-skepticism-thrill.html Internet atheism: The thrill is gone!]'' points out that internet atheism has been in a significant slump since 2008. ]]
''See also:'' [[Internet atheism]] and [[Atheistic bullying]] and [[Internet atheism and polyamory]]
During the period of 2008 to 2012, the [[Atheist Population|atheist community]] made a concerted effort to spread atheism through [[Atheism and the internet|means of the internet]]. However, leading atheist websites have seen plunges in web traffic during this same period and during the first half of 2012.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/05/internet-atheism-and-skepticism-thrill.html Internet atheism: The thrill is gone!]</ref>
[[Reddit atheism]], also known as r/atheism, is one of the largest internet groups of atheists. ''Mashable'' reported that Reddit atheism recently grew to 2 million members so it may very well be the largest online community of atheists.<ref>[http://mashable.com/2013/06/14/reddit-atheism-mods/ Reddit Atheists Have New Leadership After Turbulent Coup]</ref>
A June 14, 2013 ''Mashable'' article declared:
{{cquote|In recent years, r/atheism has become known for memes, images, quote pictures and other content viewed by some as "low brow."<ref>[http://mashable.com/2013/06/14/reddit-atheism-mods/ Reddit Atheists Have New Leadership After Turbulent Coup]</ref>}}
''For more information please see:'' [[Reddit atheism]]
In May of 2012, it was pointed out by supporters of [[Creation Ministries International]]'s [[Question evolution! campaign]] that from a global internet perspective the public's interest in the views of the [[agnosticism|agnostic]]/[[weak atheism|weak atheist]] [[Richard Dawkins]] and the atheist [[PZ Myers]] and in atheism are on the decline while interest in [[Jesus]] and [[Christianity]] are on the upswing.<ref>
*[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/05/jesus-vs-richard-dawkins-and-pz-myers.html Jesus vs. Richard Dawkins and PZ Myers - Jesus wins!]
*[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/05/jesus-vs-richard-dawkins-and-pz-myers_28.html Round 2: Jesus vs. Richard Dawkins and PZ Myers - Jesus triumphs again! Onward Christian soldiers!]
*[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/05/globally-worldviews-of-atheism-and-non.html Globally the worldviews of atheism and non-religious (agnostic) are declining while global Christianity is exploding in adherents]
*[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/05/internet-atheism-and-skepticism-thrill.html Internet atheism: The thrill is gone!]
*[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/05/2012-is-shaping-up-to-be-bad-year-for.html 2012 is shaping up to be a BAD year for atheism and evolutionism! Great new charts and developments!]
</ref>
For more information please see:
*[[Internet atheism]]
*[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/05/internet-atheism-and-skepticism-thrill.html Internet atheism - post 2007 market share loss]
*[[Global atheism]]
*[[Decline of atheism]]
*[[Atheistic bullying]]
=== Question evolution! campaign ===
''See also:'' [[Question evolution! campaign]] and [[Atheist Population]]
[[File:Question-Evolution-Campaign.jpg|thumbnail|250px|right|The [http://creation.com/question-evolution Question evolution! campaign] by [[Creation Ministries International]] is a worldwide campaign which poses 15 questions that evolutionists cannot satisfactorily answer.<ref>[http://creation.com/question-evolution Question evolution! campaign] by [[Creation Ministries International]]</ref> The 15 questions posed to evolutionists can be found [http://creation.com/15-questions HERE] ]]
As noted above, since [[World War II]] a majority of the most prominent and vocal defenders of the [[evolution|theory of evolution]] which employs [[methodological naturalism]] have been atheists.<ref>
* Dr. Don Batten,[http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/737/ A ''Who’s Who'' of evolutionists] ''Creation'' 20(1):32, December 1997.
* [[Jonathan Sarfati]], Ph.D.,F.M., [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/3830 ''Refuting Evolution'', Chapter 1, Facts and Bias]
</ref> In 2011, a campaign called the [[Question evolution! campaign]] was launched by the [[Bible|biblical]] [[creation]] organization [[Creation Ministries International]] which is a worldwide "[[grassroots|grass-roots]] movement to challenge the anti-[[Christianity|Christian]] [[dogma]] of [[evolution]]".<ref>[http://creation.com/question-evolution Question evolution! campaign]</ref>
The focus of the Question evolution! campaign is on [http://creation.com/15-questions 15 questions that evolutionists cannot satisfactorily answer.] The campaign will be primarily conducted in the [[United States]], the [[United Kingdom]], [[Canada]], [[Europe]], [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], [[Singapore]] and [[South Africa]].<ref>http://creation.com/question-evolution</ref>
=== Atheist infighting and factions ===
''See also:'' [[Atheist factions]]
Another factor contributing to the [[decline of atheism|decline of global atheism]] is the lack of unity and the significant amount of infighting in the atheist community.
Jacques Rousseau wrote in the ''Daily Maverick'': "[[Elevatorgate]]..has resulted in three weeks of infighting in the secular community. Some might observe that we indulge in these squabbles fairly frequently."<ref>[http://dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2011-07-13-sticks-and-stones-may-break-my-bones-but-words-can-rip-my-soul Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can rip my soul]</ref> An ex-atheist wrote: "As an Atheist for 40 years, I noticed that there is not just a wide variety of Atheist positions, but there exists an actual battle between certain [[Atheist factions]]."<ref>[http://www.atheism-analyzed.net/The%20Reasoning%20Atheist.htm Atheism Analyzed]</ref>
For more information please see: [[Atheist factions]]
=== Lack of sound leadership ===
''See also:'' [[Atheism and leadership]]
Using academic studies, survey data and other information, supporters of the [[Question evolution! campaign]] maintain that there is a lack of sound leadership within the agnostic/atheist and evolutionist communities in dealing with the [[Global atheism|global decline of atheism and agnosticism]].
See:
*[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/07/atheism-is-rudderless-and-unseaworthy.html Atheism is rudderless and unseaworthy]
*[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/07/evolutionists-atheists-and-agnostics.html Evolutionists, atheists and agnostics: Where is your master plan to reverse your global decline?]
*[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/08/thoughtful-and-effective-christian.html Thoughtful and effective Christian evangelism vs. inept atheism evangelism ]
== Western atheism and race ==
== Western atheism and race ==