| − | On a [[society|societal]] level, there is generally an inverse relationship between '''atheism and suffering'''. In third world countries, for example, where there is a lot of poverty, individuals adopting atheism is rare/infrequent. On the other hand, in [[communism|communist]] [[China]], where there was (and still is) [[atheist indoctrination]], atheism was common even when there was poverty in post 1949 China. | + | On a [[society|societal]] level, there is generally an inverse relationship between '''atheism and suffering'''. In third world countries, for example, where there is a lot of poverty, individuals adopting atheism is rare/infrequent. On the other hand, in [[communism|communist]] [[China]], where there was (and still is) [[atheist indoctrination]], atheism was common even when there was poverty in post 1949 China. On a personal level, some people turn to God/religion during times of adversity while some people become embittered by adversity and forsake religious belief (see: [[Atheism and bitterness]]). |
| | Currently, there is a [[growth of evangelical Christianity in irreligious regions|growth of evangelical Christianity in irreligious/nonreligious reasons]]. For example, in China, there is an explosive growth of [[evangelical Christianity]]. Evangelical Christianity often grows fast in areas where there is social/economic instability.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2013/05/economics-and-darwinismatheism.html Economics and Darwinism/atheism]</ref> Many people turn to God/religion in times of trouble. At the same time, Protestantism is positively correlated with economic/societal progress (see: [[Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism]]). | | Currently, there is a [[growth of evangelical Christianity in irreligious regions|growth of evangelical Christianity in irreligious/nonreligious reasons]]. For example, in China, there is an explosive growth of [[evangelical Christianity]]. Evangelical Christianity often grows fast in areas where there is social/economic instability.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2013/05/economics-and-darwinismatheism.html Economics and Darwinism/atheism]</ref> Many people turn to God/religion in times of trouble. At the same time, Protestantism is positively correlated with economic/societal progress (see: [[Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism]]). |