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[[File:Birkbeck College Street ViewBlue Marble.jpg|thumbnail|right|thumbnail|200px220px|[[Eric KaufmannAtheism]]is in decline worldwide, a professor at [[Birkbeck College, University with the number of London]], using a a wealth atheists falling from 4.5% of demographic studies, argues that there will be a significant decline of global atheism in the 21st century which will impact the [[Western World]]world's population in 1970 to 2.0% in 2010 and projected to drop to 1.8% by 2020.<ref>*[httphttps://www.snepscnsnews.netcom/RDnews/uploadsarticle/1global-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twentystudy-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London]*[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/2011/05/ericatheists-kaufmanndecline-shallonly-religious18-inheritworld-population-2020 Global Study: Atheists in Decline, Only 1.html Eric Kaufmann8% of World Population by 2020]</ref> See: Shall The Religious Inherit The Earth?[[Global atheism statistics]] ]]*The [[Atheist Population|atheist population]] mostly resides in East Asia (particularly China) and in secular Europe/Australia primarily among whites.<ref>[httphttps://kitmantvwww.blogspotwashingtonpost.com/searchblogs/labelworldviews/atheist%20demographics Eric Kaufmann's Atheist Demographic series][http:wp/2013/fora.tv05/201023/09a-surprising-map-of-where-the-worlds-atheists-live/05/Eric_Kaufmann_Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth Eric Kaufmann: Shall the Religious Inherit A surprising map of where the Earth?, Australian Broadcasting Corporationworld’s atheists live], By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey, ''Washington Post'', May 23, 2013</ref>See also: [[Atheist Population|Atheist population]] and [[Western atheism and race]]

The Razib Khan points out in ''Discover Magazine'', "most [[Atheist Population|atheist populationsecular]] mostly resides nations in the world are those of East Asia (particularly China) and , in secular Europe/Australia primarily among whitesparticular what are often termed “[[Confucianism|Confucian]] societies.” It is likely therefore that the majority of the world’s [[Atheism|atheists]] are actually East Asian."<ref>[httphttps://wwwweb.washingtonpostarchive.comorg/blogsweb/worldviews20150905135558/wphttp:/2013/05blogs.discovermagazine.com/23gnxp/a2010/11/most-surprisingatheists-mapare-of-where-the-worlds-atheistsnot-livewhite/ A surprising map of where the world’s Most atheists liveare not white & other non-fairy tales], By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey, ''Washington Post'', May 23, 2013Discover magazine</ref> See also: [[Atheist Population|Atheist population]] and [[Western Asian atheism and race]]

Razib Khan points out in According to the ''Discover Magazine'', "most [[secularEncyclopædia Britannica]] nations in the world are those of East Asia'', in particular what are often termed “[[Confucianism|Confucian]] societies.” It is likely therefore that the majority 2% of the world’s [[Atheism|atheists]] are actually East Asianworld's population self-identifies as atheist and the average annual global change for atheism from 2000 to 2010 was −0.17%."<refname="eb-2010">[http{{cite web|title=Religion: Year in Review 2010: Worldwide Adherents of All Religions|url=https://blogswww.discovermagazinebritannica.com/gnxpEBchecked/2010topic/111731588/mostReligion-atheistsYear-areIn-notReview-white2010/ Most atheists are not white & other non298437/Worldwide-fairy tales], Discover magazineAdherents-of-All-Religions|work=Encyclopædia Britannica Online|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica Inc.|accessdate=2013-11-21}}</ref> See: [[Asian Global atheismstatistics]]

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>http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9432620</ref>  In respect 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>http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/beliefs/atheism.htm</ref><ref>http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9432620</ref> [[Ipsos]], a major global market research company, published a report on report on religious belief/skepticism from a worlwide worldwide perspective and the report provides [http://www.ipsos-na.com/download/pr.aspx?id=10670 various statistics gained from survey results].

{{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 in South Hamilton, Mass."<ref>[httphttps://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>}} == Global atheism statistics == ''See also'': [[Global atheism statistics]] A number of excellent sources indicates that the percentage of atheists in the world is decreasing (see: [[Global atheism statistics]]).  Data compiled by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity (CSGC) at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (GCTS) as far as the number of atheists in the world: *[https://www.gordonconwell.edu/ockenga/research/documents/StatusofGlobalChristianity20191.pdf Status of Global Atheism/Christianity/other religions, 2019, in the Context of 1900–2050] *[http://www.gordonconwell.edu/ockenga/research/documents/StatusofGlobalChristianity2018.pdf Status of Global Atheism/Christianity/other religions, 2018, in the Context of 1900–2050] *[http://www.gordonconwell.edu/ockenga/research/documents/StatusofGlobalChristianity2017.pdf Status of Global Atheism/Christianity/other religions, 2017, in the Context of 1900–2050] *[http://www.justinlong.org/articles/StatusOfGlobalChristianity2016.pdf Status of Global Atheism/Christianity/other religions, 2016, in the Context of 1900–2050] *[http://www.internationalbulletin.org/issues/2015-01/2015-01-029-table.html Status of Global Atheism/Christianity/other religions, 2015, in the Context of 1900–2050]

''See also:'' [[Desecularization]] and [[Multiculturism and European desecularization]]

{{cquote|The report estimates about 80,000 new [[Christianity|Christians]] every day, 79,000 new [[Islam|Muslims]] every day, and 300 fewer [[atheism|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 Thriving Christianity]</ref>}}

* [[European atheism and desecularization in the 21st century decline]]

''See also:'' [[Secular Europe|Desecularization of secular Europe in the 21st century]] and [[Multiculturism and European desecularization]]

<br /><br />In 2005, there were four times as many non-[[Western World]] Christians as there were Western World Christians.<ref>[httphttps://www.wnd.com/?pageId=30077 Is Christianity taking over the planet?]</ref><br /><br />  

The current atheist population mostly resides in East Asia (particularly China) and in [[secular Europe]]/Australia among whites.<ref>[httphttps://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], By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey, ''Washington Post'', May 23, 2013</ref> See: [[Western atheism and race]]

Christianity is rapidly growing in China. China is on course to have the largest Christian population in the world by 2030.<ref>[httphttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/10776023/China-on-course-to-become-worlds-most-Christian-nation-within-15-years.html China on course to become 'world's most Christian nation' within 15 years] by Tom Phillips, ''The Telegraph'', April 19, 2014</ref> See also: [[Growth of Christianity in China]]

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>[httphttps://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]]).

The atheist community has not had significant outreach to racial minorities within the [[Western World]] whereas Christians have done this (particularly among the poor).<ref>[httphttps://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2014/06/16/blacks-are-even-discriminated-against-by-atheists/ Atheism has a big race problem that no one’s talking about] by Dr. Sikivu Hutchinson, Washington Post June 16, 2014</ref>The atheist Dr. Sikivu Hutchinson declared “If mainstream freethought and [[Secular humanism|humanism]] continue to reflect the narrow cultural interests of white elites who have disposable income to go to conferences then the secular movement is destined to remain marginal and insular.”<ref>[httphttps://www.salon.com/2014/10/04/atheisms_white_male_problem_a_movement_needs_a_moral_cause_beyond_glamorizing_disbelief/ Atheism’s white male problem: A movement needs a moral cause beyond glamorizing disbelief] by CJ Werleman, ''Salon, '' October 4, 2014</ref>

{{See also: [[|Secular Europe|l1=Growth of evangelical Protestantism in Europe]]}}

In the [[United Kingdom]], by the year 2050, 30 percent of the population is expected to be non-white.<ref>[httphttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/immigration/10809481/Non-white-people-almost-30-per-cent-of-population-by-2050.html Non-white people almost 30 per cent of population by 2050], By James Kirkup, Political Editor, ''The Telegraph,'' May 5, 2014</ref> In the United States, the Hispanic population is expected to triple by the year 2050 and become 30% of the United States population.<ref>[U.S. Hispanic population to triple by 2050 U.S. Hispanic population to triple by 2050], USA Today, By Haya El Nasser, 2/12/2008</ref> ''[[Yale University|Yale]] Daily News'' reported in an article entitled ''White Europeans: An endangered species?'' that "Without a major shift in the current fertility trends, industrialized Europe will see its native population decline by about three-fourths over the 21st century."<ref>[http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2008/02/27/white-europeans-an-endangered-species/ ''White Europeans: An endangered species?''] By Trevor Wagener, ''Yale Daily News'', February 27, 2008</ref>

In 2014, the Pew Research Forum indicated that Europe will go from 11% of the world's population to 7% of the world's population by 2050 and that [[Africa]] will go from 15% of the world's population to 25% of the world's population.<ref>[httphttps://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/02/03/10-projections-for-the-global-population-in-2050/ 10 projections for the global population in 2050] By Rakesh Kochhar, Pew Research Forum, February 3, 2014</ref>

{{cquote|I will make a prediction, right here and now.... The number of people identifying as [[atheism|atheists]] will stagnate or even shrink, because organized atheism is happily in the process of destroying itself with regressive social attitudes, scandals, and their bizarre focus on irrelevant metaphysical differences that don’t help people...

I don’t know that we can.<ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2014/09/27/the-atheist-disillusionment/ ''The Atheist Disillusionment''] - [[PZ Myers]], September 27, 2014</ref>}}

{{cquote|Worldwide, the [[Desecularization|march of religion]] can probably only be reversed by a renewed, self-aware secularism. Today, it appears exhausted and lacking in confidence... Secularism's greatest triumphs owe less to science than to popular social movements like nationalism, socialism and 1960s anarchist-liberalism. Ironically, secularism's demographic deficit means that it will probably only succeed in the twenty-first century if it can create a secular form of 'religious' enthusiasm." - the agnostic professor [[Eric Kaufmann]], Birbeck College, University of London, UK, 2010<ref>[http://www.sneps.net/uploadsepk/JQR%20Demography.pdf Shall the religious inherit the earth? - Eric Kaufmann]</ref>}}

Kaufmann told a secular audience in Australia[[File: "The trends that are happening worldwide inevitably in an age of globalization are going to affect usBirkbeck College Street View."<ref>jpg|right|thumbnail|200px|[http://fora.tv/2010/09/05/Eric_Kaufmann_Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth Shall the religious inherit the earth[Eric Kaufmann]]</ref> Furthermore, Kaufmann also a professor at [[Birkbeck College, University of London]], using a wealth of demographic studies, argues that secularization may reverse itself significantly earlier than 2050 there will be a significant decline of global atheism in the West due to religious immigration and a religious population 21st century which is increasingly resistant to secularization in Europewill impact the [[Western World]].<ref>*[http://questionevolutionwww.blogspotsneps.comnet/2012RD/08uploads/european1-christianShall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-immigration-will.html European immigration will pour Christian creationists into EuropeFirst Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London]</ref><ref>*[http://questionevolutionkitmantv.blogspot.com/20122011/0805/theeric-futurekaufmann-ofshall-europeanreligious-darwinism-and_16inherit.html Eric Kaufmann: Shall The future of European Darwinism and atheism is bleakReligious Inherit The Earth?]</ref> In 2010 it was reported that the rate of secularisation flattened to zero in most of Protestant Europe and France.<ref>*[http://wwwkitmantv.mercatornetblogspot.com/articlessearch/viewlabel/shall_the_religious_inherit_the_earth/ Shall the religious inherit the earth]</ref> In terms of the English speaking world, Google trend data as of August 2013 indicates that the worldatheist%20demographics Eric Kaufmann's interest in atheism and [[evolutionAtheist Demographic series]]ism has declined since 2004 while interest in [[God]] has increased.<ref>[httphttps://questionevolutionwww.blogspotyoutube.com/2013/08/google-trends-interest-in-atheism.html Google trendswatch?v=VwmgFZsgSo0 Eric Kaufmann: Interest in atheism and evolution down. Google searches for God are up. Atheism beaches will be softened up before major attacks on atheism Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?, Australian Broadcasting Corporation]</ref>]]

One Eric Kaufmann using a wealth of demographic studies argues the steepest declines [[decline of atheism that is expected to occur is in [[China]] which currently has the largest atheist population in terms of its global adherents is an established trend that will persist for the worldforeseeable future. China is experiencing a rapid growth <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 theologically 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>[conservative]http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/search/label/atheist%20demographics Eric Kaufmann's Atheist Demographic series] </ref><ref>[[Christianityhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwmgFZsgSo0 Eric Kaufmann: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?, Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] which will have </ref> In addition, Kaufmann argues that religious conservatism has a significant effect on long term trend of rising and that their influence in the global atheist populationworld will significantly increase.<ref>[http://questionevolutionwww.blogspotsneps.comnet/2014RD/04uploads/71-reasonsShall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-why-chinese-creationistFirst 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>[https://books.google.com/books/about/Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth.html 10 reasons why biblical Christianity will flood ?id=nXVylycU2gQC Shall the UK in religious inherit the 21st centuryearth by David Kaufmann]</ref> It will also have an effect on <ref>[http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf Early paper - Shall the United Kingdom (UK) Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the 21st century as Chinese immigrants are currently Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London]</ref> In the largest group Western World due to immigration and the higher birth rates of immigrants arriving religious people, Kaufman writes: "Committed religious populations are growing in the UKWest, and will reverse the march of secularism before 2050."<ref>[http://questionevolutionwww.blogspotsneps.comnet/2014RD/04uploads/71-reasons-why-chinese-creationistShall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.html 10 reasons why biblical Christianity will flood pdf Early paper - Shall the UK Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the 21st centuryTwenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London]</ref>

In additionKaufmann told a secular audience in Australia: "The trends that are happening worldwide inevitably in an age of globalization are going to affect us."<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NtvDErEmBY Shall the religious inherit the earth - Festival of Dangerous Ideas - Eric Kaufmann]</ref> Furthermore, Kaufmann also argues that secularization may reverse itself significantly earlier than 2050 in the West due to religious immigration and a religious population which is increasingly resistant to secularization in Europe.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/08/european-christian-immigration-will.html European immigration will pour Christian creationists into Europe]</ref><ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-future-of-european-darwinism-and_16.html The future of European Darwinism and atheism is bleak]</ref> In 2010 it was reported that the rate of secularisation flattened to zero in most of Protestant Europe and France.<ref>[http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/shall_the_religious_inherit_the_earth/ Shall the religious inherit the earth]</ref>  One of the steepest declines of atheism that is expected to occur is in [[China]] which currently has the largest atheist population in the world. China is experiencing a rapid growth of theologically [[Western Worldconservative]] Christianity which will have a significant effect on the global atheist population.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2014/04/7-reasons-why-chinese-creationist.html 10 reasons why biblical Christianity will flood the UK in the 21st century]</ref> It will also have an effect on the United Kingdom (UK) in the 21st century as Chinese immigrants are currently the largest group of immigrants arriving in the UK.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2014/04/7-reasons-why-chinese-creationist.html 10 reasons why biblical Christianity will flood the UK in the 21st century]</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>[httphttps://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>

The 2012 WIN/Gallup International Global Index of Religion & Atheism study was rightfully criticized for its methodology and accuracy.<ref>[http://churchintoronto.blogspot.com/2012/08/global-atheism-on-rise-really.html GLOBAL ATHEISM ON THE RISE--REALLY?] by Nigel Tomes</ref><ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/08/another-major-flaw-found-in-survey.html Another major flaw found in a survey which claimed global atheism is rising]</ref>. It claimed that global atheism was growing in terms of its percentage of adherents.

During the period of 2007 to 2012, the [[Atheist Population|atheist community]] made a concerted effort to spread [[atheism]] through [[Atheism and the internetInternet atheism|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>

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>

Regarding belief in the divine, most Nones are neither [[atheism|atheists]] nor [[theism|theists]] but rather [[agnosticism|agnostics]] and [[deism|deists]] (59%) and perhaps best described as [[Philosophical skepticism|skeptics]].<ref>[http://commons.trincoll.edu/aris/2009/09/22/american_nones_the_profile_of_the_no_religion_population/ Press: Americans Who Don’t Identify with a Religion No Longer a Fringe Group]</ref>}}

In 2010, the prominent atheists who attended the 2010 global atheist conference, which included Richard Dawkins, were challenged to a debate by Creation Ministries International.<ref>http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/richard-dawkins-cowardly-clown</ref> Richard Dawkins, [[PZ Myers]] and other prominent atheists refused to debate the [[creation science|creation scientists]] at [[Creation Ministries International]].<ref>http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/richard-dawkins-cowardly-clown</ref> Generally speaking, [[Creation science|creation scientists ]] tend to win the creation vs. evolution debates|creation scientists tend to win the creation (See: [[Creation vs. evolution debates]]).

In November of 2010, ''Discover Magazine'' published survey results published by the World Values Survey which showed significant differences between the percentage of men and women who are atheists for various countries.<ref>[http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2010/11/sex-differences-in-global-atheism-part-n/ Sex differences in global atheism, part N]</ref>

Reverend Dwight Longenecker wrote: "In the late eighteenth century [[atheism]], [[rationalism]] and [[Freemasonry]] seemed to have taken over [[Europe]]. By the mid to late nineteenth century religious revival had swept through Europe and Christianity was surging forward."<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/standingonmyhead/2015/04/the-facts-atheism-is-dying-out.html The Facts: Atheism is Dying Out], by Rev. Dwight Longenecker, April 8, 2015</ref>

*[[Atheism]]

Tables on the decline/growth of atheism/Christianity/other religions: *[http://www.gordonconwell.edu/ockenga/research/documents/StatusofGlobalChristianity2017.pdf Status of Global Atheism/Christianity/other religions, 2017, in the Context of 1900–2050], (Source: Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary)*[http://www.internationalbulletin.org/issues/2015-01/2015-01-029-table.html Status of Global Atheism/Christianity/other religions, 2015, in the Context of 1900–2050] (Source: Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) == Notes ==

[[Category: Question evolution! campaign]][[Category: Atheism]]

[[Category: Young Earth Creationism]]