Changes

Asian atheism (view source)

Revision as of 02:06, July 13, 2016

438 bytes removed , 02:06, July 13, 2016

clean up & uniformity

Line 7: Line 7:

According to the global news website ''Quartz'', Asia is going through a process of desecularization:

−

{{cquote|[[Atheism|Atheists]], [[~~Agnostics|~~agnostics]], and other [[Nones|religious non-affiliates]] are a dying breed in Asia. According to a [http://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol32/27/32-27.pdf Pew Research Center study] released last week, Asia’s shrinking pool of men and women who don’t identify with any religion are driving a drop in the proportion of “religious nones” in the world.

+

{{cquote|[[Atheism|Atheists]], [[agnostics]], and other [[Nones|religious non-affiliates]] are a dying breed in Asia. According to a [http://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol32/27/32-27.pdf Pew Research Center study] released last week, Asia’s shrinking pool of men and women who don’t identify with any religion are driving a drop in the proportion of “religious nones” in the world.

−

The percentage of the unaffiliated in Asia Pacific—home to about 76% of the world’s unaffiliated—will fall to 17% in 2050 from 21%, Pew estimates. ...this drop in Asia and the growth of religious communities elsewhere will mean the unaffiliated will make up only 13% of the world’s population in 2050, down from 16% in 2010.<ref>[http://qz.com/377065/across-the-asia-pacific-the-population-of-atheists-and-agnostics-is-shrinking/ Across the Asia Pacific, the population of atheists and agnostics is shrinking]</ref>}}

+

The percentage of the unaffiliated in Asia Pacific—home to about 76% of the world’s unaffiliated—will fall to 17% in 2050 from 21%, Pew estimates. ...this drop in Asia and the growth of religious communities elsewhere will mean the unaffiliated will make up only 13% of the world’s population in 2050, down from 16% in 2010.<ref name="qz.com">[http://qz.com/377065/across-the-asia-pacific-the-population-of-atheists-and-agnostics-is-shrinking/ Across the Asia Pacific, the population of atheists and agnostics is shrinking]</ref>}}

For additional information, please see:

Line 23: Line 23:

<br />

−

Nearly everyone in atheistic Japan is careful to have a new car blessed by a Shinto priest.<ref>''The Triumph of Faith: Why the World is More Religious Than Ever'' by Rodney Stark, Introduction section of the book</ref>]]

+

Nearly everyone in atheistic Japan is careful to have a new car blessed by a Shinto priest.<ref name="ReferenceA">''The Triumph of Faith: Why the World is More Religious Than Ever'' by Rodney Stark, Introduction section of the book</ref>]]

''Discover Magazines'' declares:

{{Cquote|...the most secular nations in the world are those of East Asia, in particular what are often termed “[[Confucius|Confucian]] societies.” It is likely therefore that the majority of the world’s atheists are actually East Asian...

−

This is not to say that East Asia is necessarily a haven for a [[Critical rationalism|critical rationalist perspective]], what with the prominence of Chinese medicine, [[~~Geomancy|~~geomancy]], Korean [[shamanism]]...<ref>[http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2010/11/most-atheists-are-not-white/ Most atheists are not white & other non-fairy tales] By Razib Khanm, Discover Magazine</ref>}}

+

This is not to say that East Asia is necessarily a haven for a [[Critical rationalism|critical rationalist perspective]], what with the prominence of Chinese medicine, [[geomancy]], Korean [[shamanism]]...<ref>[http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2010/11/most-atheists-are-not-white/ Most atheists are not white & other non-fairy tales] By Razib Khanm, Discover Magazine</ref>}}

−

In 2015, Rodney Stark wrote in his book ''The Triumph of Faith: Why the World is More Religious Than Ever'' about [[secular Europe~~|secular European~~]] countries and [[Atheism|atheistic]] [[Japan]]:

+

In 2015, Rodney Stark wrote in his book ''The Triumph of Faith: Why the World is More Religious Than Ever'' about [[secular Europe]]an countries and [[Atheism|atheistic]] [[Japan]]:

−

{{cquote|35 percent of the French believe in astrology, 35 percent of the Swiss agree that 'some fortune tellers really can foretell the future'; and nearly everyone in Japan is careful to have a new car blessed by a [[Shinto]] priest.<ref>''The Triumph of Faith: Why the World is More Religious Than Ever'' by Rodney Stark, Introduction section of the book</ref>}}

+

{{cquote|35 percent of the French believe in astrology, 35 percent of the Swiss agree that 'some fortune tellers really can foretell the future'; and nearly everyone in Japan is careful to have a new car blessed by a [[Shinto]] priest.<ref name="ReferenceA">''The Triumph of Faith: Why the World is More Religious Than Ever'' by Rodney Stark, Introduction section of the book</ref>}}

== Chinese atheism and the growth of Christianity in China ==

Line 38: Line 38:

[[File:Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square in Beijing China.jpg|thumb|left|200px|In front of the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square in Beijing.]]

−

[[China]] has the world's largest [[atheism|atheist]] population.<ref>[http://www.thechapmans.nl/news/Atheist.pdf Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics (Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref><ref>[http://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], ''Washington Post'' By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey May 23, 2013</ref>

+

[[China]] has the world's largest [[atheism|atheist]] population.<ref name="thechapmans.nl">[http://www.thechapmans.nl/news/Atheist.pdf Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics (Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref><ref name="washingtonpost.com">[http://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], ''Washington Post'' By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey May 23, 2013</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>[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>

Line 99: Line 99:

== Japan and atheism ==

−

[[Japan]] is one of the most atheistic countries in the world.<ref~~>[http://www.~~thechapmans.nl/~~news/Atheist.pdf Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics (Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref~~><ref~~>[http://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], ''Washington Post'' By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey May 23, 2013</ref>

+

[[Japan]] is one of the most atheistic countries in the world.<ref name="thechapmans.nl"/><ref name="washingtonpost.com"/>

[[File:Japan location.png|thumbnail|right|200px|[[Japan]] is one of the most atheistic countries in the world.<ref>[http://www.thechapmans.nl/news/Atheist.pdf Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics (Zuckerman, 2005)]

*[http://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], ''Washington Post'' By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey May 23, 2013</ref>]]

Line 114: Line 114:

Okuyama noted that Christianity is thriving in neighboring China and Korea because the mentality of the people is to “make more of truth or principle than human relationships.”<ref>[http://www.christianpost.com/news/mission-leaderwhy-so-few-christians-in-japan-45217/ Mission Leader: Why So Few Christians in Japan?] by Michelle Vu, Christian Post</ref>}}

−

See also~~: [[~~Atheism and groupthink]]

+

== Mongolia and irreligion ==

Line 124: Line 124:

''See also'': [[East Asia and global desecularization]] and [[Atheism and fertility rates]]

[[File:Aging East Asian population.jpg|thumbnail|left|200px|An elderly man in Beijing, China.

−

~~<br />~~

+

−

~~<br />~~

+

CNBC reported in 2015: "36 percent of the world's population over 65 currently live in East Asia. That's 211 million people and it is projected to rise over time."<ref name="cnbc.com">[http://www.cnbc.com/2015/12/08/east-asia-could-be-in-trouble-due-to-aging-population-world-bank-says.html Here's why East Asia could be in big trouble], CNBC</ref>]]

−

CNBC reported in 2015: "36 percent of the world's population over 65 currently live in East Asia. That's 211 million people and it is projected to rise over time."<ref>[http://www.cnbc.com/2015/12/08/east-asia-could-be-in-trouble-due-to-aging-population-world-bank-says.html Here's why East Asia could be in big trouble], CNBC</ref>]]

According to the global news website ''Quartz'', Asia is going through a process of [[desecularization]]:

−

{{cquote|[[Atheism|Atheists]], [[~~Agnostics|~~agnostics]], and other [[Nones|religious non-affiliates]] are a dying breed in Asia. According to a [http://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol32/27/32-27.pdf Pew Research Center study] released last week, Asia’s shrinking pool of men and women who don’t identify with any religion are driving a drop in the proportion of “religious nones” in the world.

+

{{cquote|[[Atheism|Atheists]], [[agnostics]], and other [[Nones|religious non-affiliates]] are a dying breed in Asia. According to a [http://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol32/27/32-27.pdf Pew Research Center study] released last week, Asia’s shrinking pool of men and women who don’t identify with any religion are driving a drop in the proportion of “religious nones” in the world.

−

The percentage of the unaffiliated in Asia Pacific—home to about 76% of the world’s unaffiliated—will fall to 17% in 2050 from 21%, Pew estimates. ...this drop in Asia and the growth of religious communities elsewhere will mean the unaffiliated will make up only 13% of the world’s population in 2050, down from 16% in 2010.<ref>[http://qz.com/377065/across-the-asia-pacific-the-population-of-atheists-and-agnostics-is-shrinking/ Across the Asia Pacific, the population of atheists and agnostics is shrinking]</ref>}}

+

The percentage of the unaffiliated in Asia Pacific—home to about 76% of the world’s unaffiliated—will fall to 17% in 2050 from 21%, Pew estimates. ...this drop in Asia and the growth of religious communities elsewhere will mean the unaffiliated will make up only 13% of the world’s population in 2050, down from 16% in 2010.<ref name="qz.com">[http://qz.com/377065/across-the-asia-pacific-the-population-of-atheists-and-agnostics-is-shrinking/ Across the Asia Pacific, the population of atheists and agnostics is shrinking]</ref>}}

CNBC reported in 2015:

{{Cquote|If stock market volatility, slowing economies, and low commodity prices were not enough of a problem for East Asia, many countries in the region now have to worry about losing as much as 15 percent of their working-age population by 2040, according to the World Bank.

−

In a report released Wednesday, the World Bank said aging population and low fertility rates are to blame as 36 percent of the world's population over 65 currently live in East Asia. That's 211 million people and it is projected to rise over time.<ref>[http://www.cnbc.com/2015/12/08/east-asia-could-be-in-trouble-due-to-aging-population-world-bank-says.html Here's why East Asia could be in big trouble], CNBC</ref>}}

+

In a report released Wednesday, the World Bank said aging population and low fertility rates are to blame as 36 percent of the world's population over 65 currently live in East Asia. That's 211 million people and it is projected to rise over time.<ref name="cnbc.com">[http://www.cnbc.com/2015/12/08/east-asia-could-be-in-trouble-due-to-aging-population-world-bank-says.html Here's why East Asia could be in big trouble], CNBC</ref>}}

−

See also~~: [[~~Atheism and fertility rates]]

+

=== China's aging population ===

Line 144: Line 143:

''See also:'' [[Growth of Christianity in China]]

−

[[China]] has the largest atheists population in the world (see: [[Atheist Population|Atheist population]]). The Chinese population is rapidly aging, due to a lower mortality rate and its former one child policy. This will lead to a pension problem for the Chinese government.<ref>[http://www.wikinvest.com/concept/China's_Aging_Population China's aging population]</ref> See: [[Asian atheism]]

+

[[China]] has the largest atheists population in the world (see: [[Atheist Population|Atheist population]]). The Chinese population is rapidly aging, due to a lower mortality rate and its former one child policy. This will lead to a pension problem for the Chinese government.<ref>[http://www.wikinvest.com/concept/China's_Aging_Population China's aging population]</ref> See: Asian atheism

Like most religious conservatives within [[Abraham]]ic religions, [[Evangelical Christians]] do have higher than replacement levels of births (see: [[Desecularization]]). China's demographics in terms of the age of its population will likely change in the 21st century due to the rapid growth of evangelical Christianity in China (see: [[Growth of Christianity in China]]).

Line 165: Line 164:

Buddhism, Confucianism and other great religious and philosophical traditions indigenous to Asia also provide the same spiritual bedrock, and overall, religion is on the rise in China. However Christianity can claim more converts because of its association with other key aspects of a modern life like better education, individual freedom, equality and democracy says Yang.

−

Sebastian Kim of York St John University in the UK concurs. Unlike other Asian countries, Koreans, not foreign missionaries, planted the first seeds of Christianity in Korea. Yet, it was western missionaries who brought with them hospitals, schools and other social institutions that helped transform Korea.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/encounter/the-rise-of-christianity-in-asia/5934564 The rise of Christianity in Asia] by Masako Fukui, Australian Broadcasting Corporation's website RN </ref>}}

+

Sebastian Kim of York St John University in the UK concurs. Unlike other Asian countries, Koreans, not foreign missionaries, planted the first seeds of Christianity in Korea. Yet, it was western missionaries who brought with them hospitals, schools and other social institutions that helped transform Korea.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/encounter/the-rise-of-christianity-in-asia/5934564 The rise of Christianity in Asia] by Masako Fukui, Australian Broadcasting Corporation's website RN</ref>}}

Justin Wood wrote:

−

{{Cquote|China, devoured by hunger so many times in its history, now feels a spiritual hunger beneath the neon exterior of its suddenly great cities. Four hundred million Chinese on the prosperous coast have moved from poverty to affluence in a single generation, and 10 million to 15 million new migrants come from the countryside each year, the greatest movement of people in history. Despite a government stance that hovers somewhere between discouragement and persecution, more than 100 million of them have embraced a faith that regards this life as mere preparation for the next world. Given the immense effort the Chinese have devoted to achieving a tolerable life in the present world, this may seem anomalous. On the contrary: it is the great migration of peoples that prepares the ground for Christianity, just as it did during the barbarian invasions of Europe during the Middle Ages.<ref>[https://soundfaith.com/sermons/24469-christianity-finds-a-fulcrum-in-asia Christianity Finds a Fulcrum in Asia] by Justin Wood</ref>}}

+

{{Cquote|China, devoured by hunger so many times in its history, now feels a spiritual hunger beneath the neon exterior of its suddenly great cities. Four hundred million Chinese on the prosperous coast have moved from poverty to affluence in a single generation, and 10 million to 15 million new migrants come from the countryside each year, the greatest movement of people in history. Despite a government stance that hovers somewhere between discouragement and persecution, more than 100 million of them have embraced a faith that regards this life as mere preparation for the next world. Given the immense effort the Chinese have devoted to achieving a tolerable life in the present world, this may seem anomalous. On the contrary: it is the great migration of peoples that prepares the ground for Christianity, just as it did during the barbarian invasions of Europe during the Middle Ages.<ref name="soundfaith.com">[https://soundfaith.com/sermons/24469-christianity-finds-a-fulcrum-in-asia Christianity Finds a Fulcrum in Asia] by Justin Wood</ref>}}

=== China, state atheism and persecution ===

Line 187: Line 186:

The Chinese communist regime has used beatings, harassment and torture to suppress religion in China and continues to use these practices.<ref name="Amnesty1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.refworld.org/docid/3b83b6e00.html |title=China: The crackdown on Falun Gong and other so-called "heretical organizations"|date=23 March 2000|publisher=Amnesty International|accessdate=17 March 2010}}</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AESx5u6yMw Militant Atheist extremist regime persecuting and torturing 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~~>

+

Historically persecution has often been an ineffective means to stop the growth of Christianity in a region.<ref name="oprev.org">[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 name="oprev.org"/>

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>

== Asian century, Christianity and its implications ==

−

[[File:Niall Ferguson.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|The atheist and [[Harvard University]] historian [[Niall Ferguson]] declared: "Through a mixture of hard work and thrift the [[Protestantism|Protestant]] societies of the North and West Atlantic achieved the most rapid economic growth in history."<ref>[http://blog.tifwe.org/the-protestant-work-ethic-alive-well-in-china/ The Protestant Work Ethic: Alive & Well…In China] By Hugh Whelchel on September 24, 2012</ref>]]

+

[[File:Niall Ferguson.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|The atheist and [[Harvard University]] historian [[Niall Ferguson]] declared: "Through a mixture of hard work and thrift the [[Protestantism|Protestant]] societies of the North and West Atlantic achieved the most rapid economic growth in history."<ref name="blog.tifwe.org">[http://blog.tifwe.org/the-protestant-work-ethic-alive-well-in-china/ The Protestant Work Ethic: Alive & Well…In China] By Hugh Whelchel on September 24, 2012</ref>]]

The [[Asian Century]] is the projected 21st-century dominance of [[Asia]]n politics and culture by social scientists, based on current demographic and economic trends persisting. The characterization of the 21st century being an Asian Century parallels the 20th-century seen as the American Century, and the 19th century as the British Century. See also: [[British atheism]]

−

A 2011 study conducted by the Asian Development Bank estimates that an additional 3 billion Asians could enjoy living standards similar to those in Europe today, and the region could produce over half of global economic output by the middle of this century. It did warn, however, that the Asian Century is not cast in stone and it is merely a projection based on current trends.<ref> "[http://www.adb.org/publications/asia-2050-realizing-asian-century Asia 2050: Realizing the Asian Century | Asian Development Bank]". Adb.org. 2012-03-26. Retrieved 2012-07-28.</ref>

+

A 2011 study conducted by the Asian Development Bank estimates that an additional 3 billion Asians could enjoy living standards similar to those in Europe today, and the region could produce over half of global economic output by the middle of this century. It did warn, however, that the Asian Century is not cast in stone and it is merely a projection based on current trends.<ref>"[http://www.adb.org/publications/asia-2050-realizing-asian-century Asia 2050: Realizing the Asian Century | Asian Development Bank]". Adb.org. 2012-03-26. Retrieved 2012-07-28.</ref>

−

In [[China]], the growth in religion has accompanied China’s fast economic growth over the last twenty years. Christianity is seeing rapid growth in China and the historian [[Niall Ferguson]] attributes this recent economic growth to the Protestant work ethic being more incorporated into Chinese society.<ref~~>[http://~~blog.tifwe.org/~~the-protestant-work-ethic-alive-well-in-china/ The Protestant Work Ethic: Alive & Well…In China] By Hugh Whelchel on September 24, 2012</ref~~> See: [[Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism]] and [[Atheism and sloth]]

+

In [[China]], the growth in religion has accompanied China’s fast economic growth over the last twenty years. Christianity is seeing rapid growth in China and the historian [[Niall Ferguson]] attributes this recent economic growth to the Protestant work ethic being more incorporated into Chinese society.<ref name="blog.tifwe.org"/> See: [[Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism]] and [[Atheism and sloth]]

=== Effect on global influence of Christianity ===

Line 204: Line 203:

{{Cquote|Ten thousand Chinese become Christians each day, according to a stunning report by ...veteran correspondent John Allen, and 200 million Chinese may comprise the world's largest concentration of Christians by mid-century, and the largest missionary force in history...

−

I suspect that even the most enthusiastic accounts err on the downside, and that Christianity will have become a Sino-centric religion two generations from now. China may be for the 21st century what Europe was during the 8th-11th centuries, and America has been during the past 200 years: the natural ground for mass evangelization.<ref>[https://soundfaith.com/sermons/24469-christianity-finds-a-fulcrum-in-asia Christianity Finds a Fulcrum in Asia] by Justin Wood</ref>}}

+

I suspect that even the most enthusiastic accounts err on the downside, and that Christianity will have become a Sino-centric religion two generations from now. China may be for the 21st century what Europe was during the 8th-11th centuries, and America has been during the past 200 years: the natural ground for mass evangelization.<ref name="soundfaith.com">[https://soundfaith.com/sermons/24469-christianity-finds-a-fulcrum-in-asia Christianity Finds a Fulcrum in Asia] by Justin Wood</ref>}}

Professor Fenggang Yang indicates:

Line 223: Line 222:

David Aikman served as ''Time Magazine'''s bureau chief in Beijing China. He wrote a book in 2003 entitled ''Jesus in Beijing: How Christianity Is Transforming China and Changing the Global Balance of Power''.

−

In his book Aikman wrote:“China is in the process of becoming Christianised … [i.e.] it is possible that Christians will constitute 20 to 30 percent of China’s population within three decades” (p. 285).

+

In his book Aikman wrote:“China is in the process of becoming Christianised … [i.e.] it is possible that Christians will constitute 20 to 30 percent of China’s population within three decades” (p. 285).

When Aikman provided this estimate in 2003, he did not have the benefit of seeing Chinese Christianity grow rapidly in urban areas among the influential upper eschelons of Chinese society which is presently happening. See: [[Growth of Christianity in China]]

Line 237: Line 236:

*[http://americanhumanist.org/HNN/details/2011-11-the-humanist-hour-67-reason-rally Reason Rally - American Humanist Association]</ref>

−

[[Communism|Communist]] countries have embraced [[state atheism]]. And [[Marxism|Marxist]]-[[Vladimir Lenin|Leninism]] along with [[Maoism]] explicitly adhered to the [[atheist worldview]] and communist countries have engaged in [[militant atheism]] and religious persecution (see: [[Atheism and communism]]).<ref>[http://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/asia/item/19567-china-s-communist-party-reaffirms-marxism-maoism-atheism China’s Communist Party Reaffirms Marxism, Maoism, Atheism]</ref> China [[Atheism and communism|still engages]] in religious persecution. Communist countries had large/massive rallies. For example, at [[Tiananmen Square]] during the [[Cultural Revolution]], the atheist [[Mao Zedong]] greeted 1,500 [[~~Red Guards|~~Red Guards]] and waved to 800,000 Red Guards and spectators below.

+

[[Communism|Communist]] countries have embraced [[state atheism]]. And [[Marxism|Marxist]]-[[Vladimir Lenin|Leninism]] along with [[Maoism]] explicitly adhered to the [[atheist worldview]] and communist countries have engaged in [[militant atheism]] and religious persecution (see: [[Atheism and communism]]).<ref>[http://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/asia/item/19567-china-s-communist-party-reaffirms-marxism-maoism-atheism China’s Communist Party Reaffirms Marxism, Maoism, Atheism]</ref> China [[Atheism and communism|still engages]] in religious persecution. Communist countries had large/massive rallies. For example, at [[Tiananmen Square]] during the [[Cultural Revolution]], the atheist [[Mao Zedong]] greeted 1,500 [[Red Guards]] and waved to 800,000 Red Guards and spectators below.

<ref>(Chinese) [http://dangshi.people.com.cn/GB/85039/14329784.html 倪天祚, "毛主席八次接见红卫兵的组织工作" 中国共产党新闻网] 2011-04-07</ref>

During the Cultural Revolution, a new form of militant atheism made great efforts to eradicate religion completely.<ref name="Revolt">{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=mofX6zdChgcC&pg=PA132&dq=china+militant+atheism&hl=en&ei=I_z2TZmePMGW0gGr_5CHCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CFgQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=china%20militant%20atheism&f=false|title =The Price of Freedom Denied: Religious Persecution and Conflict in the Twenty-First Century (Cambridge Studies in Social Theory, Religion and Politics)|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|quote=Seeking a complete annihilation of religion, places of worship were shut down; temples, churches, and mosques were destroyed; artifacts were smashed; sacred texts were burnt; and it was a criminal offence even to possess a religious artifact or sacred text. Atheism had long been the official doctrine of the Chinese Communist Party, but this new form of militant atheism made every effort to eradicate religion completely.|accessdate = 2011-03-05}}

−

</ref><ref name="Contrast">{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=jn-kcJc47m4C&pg=PA129 |page=129 |title =Religion and Modern Society: Citizenship, Secularisation and the State |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|author=Bryan S. Turner|quote=The contrast between religion in American and militant atheism in China could not have been more stark or profound. While the Red Guards under Mao Zedong's leadership were busy destroying Buddhist pagodas, Catholic churches and Daoist temples, the Christian Right were equally busy condemning the communists.}}</ref> Under this militant atheism espoused by Mao Zedong, houses of worship were shut down; Buddhist pagodas, Daoist temples, Christian [[~~Church|churches~~]], and Muslim [[mosque~~|mosques~~]] were destroyed; artifacts were smashed; and sacred texts were burnt.<ref name="Revolt"/><ref name="Contrast"/> Moreover, it was a criminal offence to even possess a religious artifact or sacred text.<ref name="Revolt"/> The death toll in 20th Cenutry China attributable to Mao Tse-Tsung's "[[Great Leap Forward]]" is estimated by reputable sources "to be as high as forty million."<ref name="Leap">{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=rbgK8wA7ubgC&pg=PA125&lpg=PA125&dq=China+number+of+people+perished+militant+atheism&source=bl&ots=bN8QWuhcq2&sig=X2BB0iKRJbWNA8DlHzJeT2yS6to&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ZZNXUOP1KcaDywHEvYCIDg&ved=0CEEQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=China%20number%20of%20people%20perished%20militant%20atheism&f=false|page=125|title=No, We Can't: Radical Islam, Militant Secularism and the Myth of Coexistence|publisher=Chosen Books|date=1 October 2011|isbn=0800795202|author=Robert Stearns|quote=Reputable sources estimate the death toll in twentieth-century China to be as high as forty million, attributed directly to Mao Tse-Tung's "Great Leap Forward."}}</ref> However, following the death of Mao Zedong in 1976, many former policies towards religious freedom returned although they are limited and tenuous, as religion is closely regulated by the government.<ref name="Revolt"/>

+

</ref><ref name="Contrast">{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=jn-kcJc47m4C&pg=PA129 |page=129 |title =Religion and Modern Society: Citizenship, Secularisation and the State |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|author=Bryan S. Turner|quote=The contrast between religion in American and militant atheism in China could not have been more stark or profound. While the Red Guards under Mao Zedong's leadership were busy destroying Buddhist pagodas, Catholic churches and Daoist temples, the Christian Right were equally busy condemning the communists.}}</ref> Under this militant atheism espoused by Mao Zedong, houses of worship were shut down; Buddhist pagodas, Daoist temples, Christian [[church]]es, and Muslim [[mosque]]s were destroyed; artifacts were smashed; and sacred texts were burnt.<ref name="Revolt"/><ref name="Contrast"/> Moreover, it was a criminal offence to even possess a religious artifact or sacred text.<ref name="Revolt"/> The death toll in 20th Cenutry China attributable to Mao Tse-Tsung's "[[Great Leap Forward]]" is estimated by reputable sources "to be as high as forty million."<ref name="Leap">{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=rbgK8wA7ubgC&pg=PA125&lpg=PA125&dq=China+number+of+people+perished+militant+atheism&source=bl&ots=bN8QWuhcq2&sig=X2BB0iKRJbWNA8DlHzJeT2yS6to&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ZZNXUOP1KcaDywHEvYCIDg&ved=0CEEQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=China%20number%20of%20people%20perished%20militant%20atheism&f=false|page=125|title=No, We Can't: Radical Islam, Militant Secularism and the Myth of Coexistence|publisher=Chosen Books|date=1 October 2011|isbn=0800795202|author=Robert Stearns|quote=Reputable sources estimate the death toll in twentieth-century China to be as high as forty million, attributed directly to Mao Tse-Tung's "Great Leap Forward."}}</ref> However, following the death of Mao Zedong in 1976, many former policies towards religious freedom returned although they are limited and tenuous, as religion is closely regulated by the government.<ref name="Revolt"/>

Historically, the [[Atheist Population|atheist population]] has tended to lean leftward in their politics (See: [[Atheism and politics]] and [[Secular left]]). According to the [[University of Cambridge]], the "most notable spread of atheism was achieved through the success of the 1917 Russian Revolution, which brought the Marxist-Leninists to power."<ref name="Marxism-Leninsim">{{cite web|url = http://www.investigatingatheism.info/marxism.html|title =Marxism|publisher = [[University of Cambridge]]|quote=The most notable spread of atheism was achieved through the success of the 1917 Russian Revolution, which brought the Marxist-Leninists to power. For the first time in history, atheism thus became the official ideology of a state.|year=2008|accessdate = 2011–03–15}}</ref>

Line 256: Line 255:

−

[[Category: Desecularization]]

+

[[Category:Desecularization]]

−

[[Category: Atheism]]

+

[[Category:Atheism]]

−

[[Category: Asia]]

+

[[Category:Asia]]

DavidB4-bot

Block, SkipCaptcha, apieditor, Automoderated users, Bots, edit, ratelimit-exempt

59,335

edits