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[[File:Blue Marble.jpg|thumbnail|right|220px|[[Atheism]] is in decline worldwide, with the number of atheists falling from 4.5% of the world’s population in 1970 to 2.0% in 2010 and projected to drop to 1.8% by 2020.<ref name="cnsnews.com">[http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/global-study-atheists-decline-only-18-world-population-2020 Global Study: Atheists in Decline, Only 1.8% of World Population by 2020]</ref> See: [[Global atheism]] ]]

[[File:Blue Marble.jpg|thumbnail|right|220px|[[Atheism]] is in decline worldwide, with the number of atheists falling from 4.5% of the world’s population in 1970 to 2.0% in 2010 and projected to drop to 1.8% by 2020.<ref name="cnsnews.com">[https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/global-study-atheists-decline-only-18-world-population-2020 Global Study: Atheists in Decline, Only 1.8% of World Population by 2020]</ref> See: [[Global atheism]] ]]

[[Demography]] is the study of human populations, and is a major specialty in the disciplines of sociology, economics, history, geography, statistics and epidemiology.

[[Demography]] is the study of human populations, and is a major specialty in the disciplines of sociology, economics, history, geography, statistics and epidemiology.

=== Encyclopedia Britanica statistics on global atheism ===

=== Encyclopedia Britanica statistics on global atheism ===

According to the ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]'', 2% of the world's population self-identifies as atheist and the average annual global change for [[atheism]] from 2000 to 2010 was −0.17%.<ref name="eb-2010">{{cite web|title=Religion: Year in Review 2010: Worldwide Adherents of All Religions|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1731588/Religion-Year-In-Review-2010/298437/Worldwide-Adherents-of-All-Religions|work=Encyclopædia Britannica Online|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica Inc.|accessdate=2013-11-21}}</ref> See also: [[Desecularization]]

According to the ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]'', 2% of the world's population self-identifies as atheist and the average annual global change for [[atheism]] from 2000 to 2010 was −0.17%.<ref name="eb-2010">{{cite web|title=Religion: Year in Review 2010: Worldwide Adherents of All Religions|url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1731588/Religion-Year-In-Review-2010/298437/Worldwide-Adherents-of-All-Religions|work=Encyclopædia Britannica Online|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica Inc.|accessdate=2013-11-21}}</ref> See also: [[Desecularization]]

A survey published in the 2005 ''Encyclopedia Britannica'' stated that 2.3% of the world's population consists of individuals who profess "[[atheism]], skepticism, disbelief, or irreligion, including the militantly antireligious."<ref name="search.eb.com">http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9432620</ref> In regards to the 2.3% figure just mentioned, the 2005 survey cited by ''Encyclopedia Britannica'' survey did not include [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] in regards to the 2.3% figure and Buddhism can be [[Theism|theistic]] or atheistic.<ref name="search.eb.com"/><ref>http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/beliefs/atheism.htm</ref>

A survey published in the 2005 ''Encyclopedia Britannica'' stated that 2.3% of the world's population consists of individuals who profess "[[atheism]], skepticism, disbelief, or irreligion, including the militantly antireligious."<ref name="search.eb.com">http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9432620</ref> In regards to the 2.3% figure just mentioned, the 2005 survey cited by ''Encyclopedia Britannica'' survey did not include [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] in regards to the 2.3% figure and Buddhism can be [[Theism|theistic]] or atheistic.<ref name="search.eb.com"/><ref>http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/beliefs/atheism.htm</ref>

On July 24, 2013, ''CNS News'' reported:

On July 24, 2013, ''CNS News'' reported:

{{cquote|Atheism is in decline worldwide, with the number of atheists falling from 4.5% of the world’s population in 1970 to 2.0% in 2010 and projected to drop to 1.8% by 2020, according to a new report by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (GCTS) in South Hamilton, Mass."<ref name="cnsnews.com">[http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/global-study-atheists-decline-only-18-world-population-2020 Global Study: Atheists in Decline, Only 1.8% of World Population by 2020]</ref>}}

{{cquote|Atheism is in decline worldwide, with the number of atheists falling from 4.5% of the world’s population in 1970 to 2.0% in 2010 and projected to drop to 1.8% by 2020, according to a new report by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (GCTS) in South Hamilton, Mass."<ref name="cnsnews.com">[https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/global-study-atheists-decline-only-18-world-population-2020 Global Study: Atheists in Decline, Only 1.8% of World Population by 2020]</ref>}}

==== GCTS Tables on the decline/growth of atheism/Christianity/other religions, by year ====

==== GCTS Tables on the decline/growth of atheism/Christianity/other religions, by year ====

{{cquote|Officials are untroubled by the clash between the city’s famously freewheeling capitalism and the [[Communism|Communist]] Party’s ideology, yet still see religion and its symbols as affronts to the party’s [[atheism]]...

{{cquote|Officials are untroubled by the clash between the city’s famously freewheeling capitalism and the [[Communism|Communist]] Party’s ideology, yet still see religion and its symbols as affronts to the party’s [[atheism]]...

Yang Fenggang of Purdue University, in Indiana, says the Christian church in China has grown by an average of 10% a year since 1980. He reckons that on current trends there will be 250m Christians by around 2030, making China’s Christian population the largest in the world. Mr. Yang says this speed of growth is similar to that seen in fourth-century Rome just before the conversion of [[Constantine]], which paved the way for Christianity to become the religion of his empire.<ref>[http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21629218-rapid-spread-christianity-forcing-official-rethink-religion-cracks ''Cracks in the atheist edifice''], ''The Economist'', November 1, 2014</ref>}}

Yang Fenggang of Purdue University, in Indiana, says the Christian church in China has grown by an average of 10% a year since 1980. He reckons that on current trends there will be 250m Christians by around 2030, making China’s Christian population the largest in the world. Mr. Yang says this speed of growth is similar to that seen in fourth-century Rome just before the conversion of [[Constantine]], which paved the way for Christianity to become the religion of his empire.<ref>[https://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21629218-rapid-spread-christianity-forcing-official-rethink-religion-cracks ''Cracks in the atheist edifice''], ''The Economist'', November 1, 2014</ref>}}

===== Ethnic Chinese and the rise of Christianity in Southeast Asia =====

===== Ethnic Chinese and the rise of Christianity in Southeast Asia =====

''See also:'' [[Western atheism and race]]

''See also:'' [[Western atheism and race]]

[[File:PZ Myers3.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|The [[atheism|atheist]] and [[evolution]]ist [[PZ Myers]] giving a presentation to a group that is likely largely made up of white males.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/16/us/16beliefs.html?_r=1</ref><ref>http://www.conservapedia.com/Racial_demographics_of_the_Richard_Dawkins%27_audience</ref><ref name="conservapedia.com">http://www.conservapedia.com/Atheism_appears_to_be_significantly_less_appealing_to_women</ref> In June 2010,  [[PZ Myers]] commented that atheist meetings tend to be significantly more attended by males.<ref>http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2010/06/the_woman_problem.php</ref>]]

[[File:PZ Myers3.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|The [[atheism|atheist]] and [[evolution]]ist [[PZ Myers]] giving a presentation to a group that is likely largely made up of white males.<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/16/us/16beliefs.html?_r=1</ref><ref>http://www.conservapedia.com/Racial_demographics_of_the_Richard_Dawkins%27_audience</ref><ref name="conservapedia.com">http://www.conservapedia.com/Atheism_appears_to_be_significantly_less_appealing_to_women</ref> In June 2010,  [[PZ Myers]] commented that atheist meetings tend to be significantly more attended by males.<ref>http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2010/06/the_woman_problem.php</ref>]]

In 2015, ''BloombergView'' reported concerning the [[United States]]:

In 2015, ''BloombergView'' reported concerning the [[United States]]:

{{cquote|According to a much-discussed 2012 report from the Pew Research Center on Religion and Public Life, only 3 percent of U.S. atheists and agnostics are black, 6 percent are Hispanic, and 4 percent are Asian. Some 82 percent are white. (The relevant figures for the population at large at the time of the survey were 66 percent white, 11 percent black, 15 percent Hispanic, 5 percent Asian.)

{{cquote|According to a much-discussed 2012 report from the Pew Research Center on Religion and Public Life, only 3 percent of U.S. atheists and agnostics are black, 6 percent are Hispanic, and 4 percent are Asian. Some 82 percent are white. (The relevant figures for the population at large at the time of the survey were 66 percent white, 11 percent black, 15 percent Hispanic, 5 percent Asian.)

{{See also|European desecularization in the 21st century}}

{{See also|European desecularization in the 21st century}}

In the United States, blacks have the highest rate of religiosity.<ref>[http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/gallup-blacks-most-religious-group-us Gallup: Blacks Most Religious Group in U.S.]</ref> Among Hispanics, religion has traditionally played a significant role in daily activity.<ref>[http://www.diocesephoenix.org/old_site/fc/CatecheticalLeadership/ChurchDocs/UnderstandingtheHispanicCulture.pdf Understanding Hispanic culture]</ref>

In the United States, blacks have the highest rate of religiosity.<ref>[https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/gallup-blacks-most-religious-group-us Gallup: Blacks Most Religious Group in U.S.]</ref> Among Hispanics, religion has traditionally played a significant role in daily activity.<ref>[http://www.diocesephoenix.org/old_site/fc/CatecheticalLeadership/ChurchDocs/UnderstandingtheHispanicCulture.pdf Understanding Hispanic culture]</ref>

At the same time, due to immigration, [[Europe]] is expected to become [[desecularization|more desecularized]] in the 21st century (See also: [[Global atheism]] and [[Atheist population]]).  

At the same time, due to immigration, [[Europe]] is expected to become [[desecularization|more desecularized]] in the 21st century (See also: [[Global atheism]] and [[Atheist population]]).  

Hutchinson also mentioned that church organizations significantly help poor African-Americans.<ref name="washingtonpost.com"/> See also: [[Atheism and charity|Atheism and uncharitablenss]] ]]

Hutchinson also mentioned that church organizations significantly help poor African-Americans.<ref name="washingtonpost.com"/> See also: [[Atheism and charity|Atheism and uncharitablenss]] ]]

In 2010, an atheists' conference was organized in the [[United States]] concerning the future direction of the atheist movement and 370 people attended. The conference, sponsored by the Council for Secular Humanism, drew members from all the major atheist organizationsin the United States.  The ''[[New York Times]]'' described the attendees as "The largely white and male crowd — imagine a [[Star Trek]] convention, but older..."<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/16/us/16beliefs.html</ref>  

In 2010, an atheists' conference was organized in the [[United States]] concerning the future direction of the atheist movement and 370 people attended. The conference, sponsored by the Council for Secular Humanism, drew members from all the major atheist organizationsin the United States.  The ''[[New York Times]]'' described the attendees as "The largely white and male crowd — imagine a [[Star Trek]] convention, but older..."<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/16/us/16beliefs.html</ref>  

Survey data and website tracking data of prominent atheists' websites indicate that in the [[Western World]], [[Atheism and women|atheism appears to be significantly less appealing to women]].<ref name="conservapedia.com"/><ref>http://www.americanreligionsurvey-aris.org/reports/NONES_08.pdf</ref><ref>http://www.livescience.com/culture/090227-religion-men-women.html</ref> These findings suggest that the atheist movement in the [[Western world]] and the [[New Atheism]] movement are significantly more appealing to white males.

Survey data and website tracking data of prominent atheists' websites indicate that in the [[Western World]], [[Atheism and women|atheism appears to be significantly less appealing to women]].<ref name="conservapedia.com"/><ref>http://www.americanreligionsurvey-aris.org/reports/NONES_08.pdf</ref><ref>http://www.livescience.com/culture/090227-religion-men-women.html</ref> These findings suggest that the atheist movement in the [[Western world]] and the [[New Atheism]] movement are significantly more appealing to white males.

{{See also|Western atheism and race}}

{{See also|Western atheism and race}}

In October 2010, an atheists' meeting was organized in the [[United States]] concerning the future direction of the atheist movement and 370 people attended. The ''[[New York Times]]'' described the attendees as "The largely white and male crowd — imagine a [[Star Trek]] convention, but older...".<ref>Oppenheimer, Mark (October 15, 2010). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/16/us/16beliefs.html "Atheists debate how pushy to be"].  Nytimes.com.</ref>

In October 2010, an atheists' meeting was organized in the [[United States]] concerning the future direction of the atheist movement and 370 people attended. The ''[[New York Times]]'' described the attendees as "The largely white and male crowd — imagine a [[Star Trek]] convention, but older...".<ref>Oppenheimer, Mark (October 15, 2010). [https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/16/us/16beliefs.html "Atheists debate how pushy to be"].  Nytimes.com.</ref>

=== Atheists' group membership and demographic makeup of meetings ===

=== Atheists' group membership and demographic makeup of meetings ===