Changes

[[File:John Updike.jpg|thumbnail|right|201px|[[John Updike]] ]]Atheist Francois Tremblay wrote: "One last problem that undermines any propagation of [[atheism]] is inspiration. Let's be honest here, "there is no god!" is not a very motivating call for most people."<ref>[http://www.liberator.net/articles/TremblayFrancois/herdingcats.html Herding Cats: Why Atheism Will Lose] by Francois Tremblay</ref>[[File:John Updike.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|[[John Updike]] ]]The [[ex-atheist]] [[Alister McGrath]] has repeatedly pointed out the uninspiring nature of atheism.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tSQPGYvE0s Clear Voices 2014 - Alister McGrath - C. S. Lewis’s Vision of the Christianity]</ref><ref>''In the Aftermath: Provocations and Laments'' By David Bentley Hart, page 136</ref>

The atheist blogger Martin Hughes wrote: "Atheism is boring."<ref>[https://www.patheos.com/blogs/barrierbreaker/atheism-is-boring/ Atheism Is Boring] by Martin Hughes</ref> Natasha Frost wrote in the online magazine ''Atlas Obscura'' about the [[Soviet Union]], which had [[state atheism]]: "...atheism was taught in schools, alongside history and geography, but in a 1975 survey, many people still professed to find [[Atheism and beliefs|atheistic dogma]] boring."<ref>[https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/soviet-antireligious-museums-of-atheism How the USSR Turned Houses of Worship Into Museums of Atheism] by Natasha Frost, ''Atlas Obscura'', MAY 07, 2018</ref> The [[Ex-atheists|ex-atheist]] [[Alister McGrath]] has repeatedly pointed out the uninspiring nature of atheism.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tSQPGYvE0s Clear Voices 2014 - Alister McGrath - C. S. Lewis’s Vision of the Christianity]</ref><ref>''In the Aftermath: Provocations and Laments'' By David Bentley Hart, page 136</ref> According to McGrath, atheism is "stale", "dull" and difficult to believe.<ref>*[http://www.christian.org.uk/news/stale-dull-atheism-is-in-decline-says-professor/ ‘Stale, dull atheism is in decline’ says professor], The Christian Institute*[http://www.christiantoday.com/article/atheism.in.decline.and.will.be.defeated.by.faith.says.oxford.professor/71639.htm Atheism in decline and will be defeated by faith, says Oxford professor] by Harry Farley, ''Christianity Today'', 25 November 2015</ref>  [[John Updike]] wrote:{{cquote|"Among the repulsions of atheism for me has been its drastic un-interestingness as an intellectual position. Where was the ingenuity, the ambiguity, the humanity...of saying that the universe just happened to happen and that when we're dead we're dead?".<ref>Updike, John (1989). ''Self-Consciousness: Memoirs'' (New York, NY: Knopf), ch. 4.</ref>}}

{{cquote|But it’s not the [[nihilism]], the soullessness, the [[Atheism and Atheist poetry|lack of poetry]], the moral and physical ugliness, the shallow iconoclasm or the vainglory of atheists that bother me most. It’s the boringness.

One of the many [[Rebuttals to atheist arguments|problems of atheism]] is its uninterestingness and unreasonableness as an intellectual position. As can be seen below, there are a number of factors which causes atheism to be [[Rebuttals to atheist arguments|an unrealistic ]] and boring ideology that is a minority position in the worlduninteresting viewpoint. In the 21st century, atheism is expected to continue to be a minority viewpoint and it is projected to see a global further decline in terms of its influence and percentage of adherents in the world (see: [[Global atheism]]).

As a result of the unexciting nature of atheism, most atheists are apathetic when it comes to engaging in atheist activism and participating in atheist meetings/conferences (see: [[Atheism and apathy]] and [[Atheism and sloth]]). On the other hand, in the United States, a significant amount of atheists attend church services (see: [[American atheists Atheists and church attendance]]).  Furthermore, in the latter portion of the 20th century and continuing into the 21st century, due to various historical events/trends, the atheist movement has had lower confidence/morale (see: [[Atheists and the endurance of religion]]).

[[File:PZ Myers3.jpg|thumbnail|right|285px200px|The atheist [[PZ Myers]] giving a talk at [[George Mason University]]. In June of 2010, PZ Myers said that atheist meetings tend to be significantly more attended by males.<ref name="PZ">Myers, P.Z. (June 29, 2010). [http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2010/06/29/the-woman-problem/ "The woman problem"]. Pharyngula [blog].</ref>

In 2004, The website Adherents.com reported the ''American Journal of Psychiatry'' reportedfollowing in respect to atheism and suicide: {{cquote|Religiously unaffiliated subjects had significantly more lifetime suicide attempts and more firstPitzer College sociologist Phil Zuckerman compiled country-degree relatives who committed suicide than subjects by-country survey, polling and census numbers relating to atheism, agnosticism, disbelief in God and people who endorsed a state they are non-religious or have no religious affiliationpreference. Unaffiliated subjects These data were youngerpublished in the chapter titled "Atheism: Contemporary Rates and Patterns" in The Cambridge Companion to Atheism, less often marrieded. by Michael Martin, less often had childrenCambridge University Press: Cambridge, and had less contact with family membersUK (2005). FurthermoreIn examining various indicators of societal health, subjects with no religious affiliation perceived fewer reasons for livingZuckerman concludes about suicide: "Concerning suicide rates, particularly fewer moral objections this is the one indicator of societal health in which religious nations fare much better than secular nations. According to the 2003 World Health Organization's report on international male suicides rates (which compared 100 countries), of the top ten nations with the highest male suiciderates, all but one (Sri Lanka) are strongly irreligious nations with high levels of atheism. In terms It is interesting to note, however, that of clinical characteristicsthe top remaining nine nations leading the world in male suicide rates, religiously unaffiliated subjects had more lifetime impulsivityall are former Soviet/Communist nations, aggressionsuch as Belarus, Ukraine, and past substance use disorderLatvia. No differences in Of the level of subjective and objective depressionbottom ten nations with the lowest male suicide rates, hopelessness, or stressful life events were foundall are highly religious nations with statistically insignificant levels of organic atheism."<ref>[http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/article.aspx?articleID=177228 Religious affiliation and suicide attempts]</ref><ref>[http://www.ncbiadherents.nlm.nih.govcom/pubmedmisc/15569904 Religious affiliation and suicide attempts]religion_suicide.html</ref>}}

[[File:Birkbeck College London.jpg|right|thumbnail|250px200px|[[Eric Kaufmann]], a professor at [[Birkbeck College, University of London]], using a a wealth of demographic studies , argues the global that there will be a significant decline in the number of adherents to global atheism is an established trend that will persist for the foreseeable future and in the rate of decline 21st century which will accelerateimpact the [[Western World]].<ref>

*[httphttps://forawww.tv/2010/09/05youtube.com/Eric_Kaufmann_Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth watch?v=VwmgFZsgSo0 Eric Kaufmann: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?, Australian Broadcasting Corporation]</ref>]]

*[httphttps://forawww.tv/2010/09/05youtube.com/Eric_Kaufmann_Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth watch?v=VwmgFZsgSo0 Eric Kaufmann: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?, Australian Broadcasting Corporation]</ref>

*[[Atheism, polyamory and other immoral relationships|Atheist leaders and immoral relationships]]

[[File:Basketball.jpg|left|300px200px|thumbnail|Numerous studies report that athletes to be more religious than non-athletes.<ref>[http://www.thesportjournal.org/article/strength-religious-faith-athletes-and-nonathletes-two-ncaa-division-iii-institutions ''Strength of Religious Faith of Athletes and Nonathletes at Two NCAA Division III Institutions'']</ref>]]

''See also:'' [[Atheism and morality]] and [[Moral failures of the atheist Atheist populationand immorality]]

The [[Barna Group]] found that atheists and [[agnostics]] in America were more likely, than [[theist]]s in America, to look upon the following behaviors as morally acceptable: illegal drug use; excessive drinking; sexual relationships outside of marriage; [[abortion]]; cohabitating with someone of opposite sex outside of marriage; obscene language; gambling; [[pornography]] and obscene sexual behavior; and engaging in [[homosexuality]]/bisexuality.<ref>http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/58-practical-outcomes-replace-biblical-principles-as-the-moral-standard</ref> Given the [[Homosexuality and Healthhealth|many diseases associated with homosexuality]], the [[Bible|biblical]] prohibition against homosexuality is quite arguably one of the many examples where the Bible exhibited [http://creationwiki.org/Bible_scientific_foreknowledge knowledge that was ahead of its time].

* [[Moral failures of the atheist population|List of the moral failures of the atheist Atheist populationand immorality]]

[[File:Richard Dawkins at Global Atheism Convention.jpg|alt=Richard Dawkins|thumbnail|260px200px|left|The [[Oxford University]] Professor [[Daniel Came]] wrote to the New Atheist [[Richard Dawkins]]:: "The absence of a debate with the foremost [[Christian apologetics|apologist]] for [[Christianity|Christian]] [[theism]] is a glaring omission on your [[Curriculum vitae|CV]] and is of course apt to be interpreted as cowardice on your part."<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8511931/Richard-Dawkins-accused-of-cowardice-for-refusing-to-debate-existence-of-God.html Richard Dawkins accused of cowardice for refusing to debate existence of God], ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'', May 14, 2011</ref> ]][[Vox Day|Theodore Beale]] wrote about [[secular left|secular leftists]] and leftists in general:

[[File:Dennis PragerDennis sm.jpg|right|thumbnail|250px200px|[[Dennis Prager]] ]]

See also: [[Christianity and science]] and [[Atheism and science]]

[[File:View from Levering Plaza.jpg|thumbnail|right|250px200px|Johns Hopkins University Press reported in 2014: "Over the past forty years, [[creationism]] has spread swiftly among European Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Hindus, and Muslims, even as anti-creationists sought to smother its flames."

[[File:African open air Christian meeting.jpg|thumbnail|left|320px220px|[[Africa]]n Christians clapping at an open air meeting.

[[File:FMSC Distribution Partner in Malawi.jpg|thumbnail|right|375px205px|The Christian relief organization Feed My Starving Children has a distribution partner in [[Malawi]], Africa. In recent years, Christianity has seen a rapid growth in Africa.<ref>[http://gratefultothedead.wordpress.com/2009/12/16/the-african-apostles-how-christianity-exploded-in-20th-century-africa/ The African apostles: How Christianity exploded in 20th-century Africa]</ref>

The atheist population in the Western World has not had significant outreaches to spread atheism outside the Western Worldtheir region. Historically, Christians have made great evangelism efforts to reach every people group across the earth. In 2005, there were four times as many non-[[Western World]] Christians as there were Western World Christians.<ref>[http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=30077 Is Christianity taking over the planet?]</ref> Doing overseas evangelism/outreaches, often requires significant hardships/persecution and Western atheists have been unwilling to endure such hardships in order to spread atheistic ideology (see: [[Atheism and hedonism]]).

Ritualistic atheists find beauty in certain religious traditions, symbols or rituals.<ref>[http://www.christianpost.com/news/researchers-ritual-atheists-and-agnostics-could-be-sitting-next-to-you-in-church-99373/ Researchers: 'Ritual' Atheists and Agnostics Could Be Sitting Next to You in Church]</ref> See also: [[American atheists Atheists and church attendance]]]]

[[File:Europe pol 2004.jpg|thumbnail|250px200px|right|According to the [[World Health Organization]]'s (WHO) regional office in Europe, "The WHO European Region has the highest proportion in the world of total ill health and premature death due to alcohol.<ref name=whoalc>[http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/disease-prevention/alcohol-use/data-and-statistics "Data and statistics"] (September 2014 or bef.). Health topics/Disease prevention/Alcohol use. World Health Organization (WHO)/Regional office for Europe</ref>]]

[[File:Georgetown 2.jpg|thumbnail|right|285px200px|In 2012, a [[Georgetown University]] study was published indicating that only about 30 percent of those who grow up in an atheist household remain atheists as adults.<ref>http://www.christianpost.com/news/study-atheists-have-lowest-retention-rate-compared-to-religious-groups-78029/ Study: Atheists Have Lowest 'Retention Rate' Compared to Religious Groups</ref>]]

*[[Atheism has a lower and its retention rate compared to other worldviewsin individuals]]

*[http://www.alternet.org/media/47052?page=entire The Dawkins Delusion] by [[Alister McGrath]]</ref> For example, atheist philosopher Dr. [[Michael Ruse]] declared concerning new atheist Richard Dawkins' book ''The God Delusion'': "''The God Delusion'' makes me embarrassed to be an atheist."<ref>http://www.alternet.org/media/47052?page=entire</ref> [[Vox Day]]'s book ''[http://www.voxday.net/mart/TIA_free.pdf The Irrational atheist]'' found multiple errors in reasoning and factual errors when it came to the works of new atheist authors.<ref>[http://creation.com/review-irrational-atheist-by-vox-day Excellent refutation of ‘new atheists’ flawed by heterodox open theism], A review of The Irrational Atheist: Dissecting the Unholy Trinity of Dawkins, Harris, and Hitchens by Vox Day, Benbella Books, Dallas, TX, 2008, reviewed by Lita Cosner</ref> See also: [[Atheism and irrationality]]

=== Decline of New Atheism === New Atheism is also abrasive/aggressive which has worn thin over time in terms of public relations(see also: [[Atheism and public relations]]).  In 2015, the atheist author Joshua Kelly wrote:{{cquote|...since the death of Hitchens: angry atheism lost its most charismatic champion. Call it what you like: New Atheism, fire-brand atheism, etc., had a surge with the Four Horsemen in the middle of the last decade and in the last four years has generally peetered out to a kind that is more docile, [[Political correctness|politically correct]], and even apologetic.<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/danthropology/2015/12/uproar-against-dawkins-is-sign-of-new-atheism-retrogression/ Uproar Against Dawkins Is Sign of New Atheism Retrogression] by Joshua Kelly</ref>}} See also:

[[File:Angry atheist.jpg|thumbnail|left|370px200px|An angry atheist speaking to a woman with a Bible in her hand.

The Christian philosopher James S. Spiegel says the path from Christianity to atheism among several of his friends involved moral slippage such as resentment or unforgiveness.<smallref>Photo obtained from [http://commonswww.wikimediachristianpost.orgcom/wikinews/Category:Anger#mediaviewer/File:Anger_during_a_protest_by_David_Shankbone.jpg Wikimedia Commons], see: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bychristian-sa/3.0philosopher-explores-causes-of-atheism-44353/ license agreementChristian Philosopher Explores Causes of Atheism]</smallref>See: [[Atheism and forgiveness|Atheism and unforgiveness]] ]]

[[Image:freud-thumb.jpg|right|250px200px|thumb|[[Sigmund Freud]] in his study]]