Difference between revisions of "Internet atheism"

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[[File:Losing.jpeg|thumbnail|201px|right|The article ''[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/05/internet-atheism-and-skepticism-thrill.html Internet atheism: The thrill is gone!]'' points out that internet atheism has been in a significant slump since 2008. ]]
 
[[File:Losing.jpeg|thumbnail|201px|right|The article ''[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/05/internet-atheism-and-skepticism-thrill.html Internet atheism: The thrill is gone!]'' points out that internet atheism has been in a significant slump since 2008. ]]
In the early part of the 21st century, the [[Atheism|atheist]] community was very active on the internet.<ref>http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55789</ref>  However, by 2008 there began a marked decline in '''internet atheism''' (see: [[Internet atheism web traffic volume]]).<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/05/internet-atheism-and-skepticism-thrill.html Internet atheism: The thrill is gone!]</ref>  
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In the early part of the 21st century, the [[Atheism|atheist]] community was very active on the internet.<ref name="wnd.com">http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55789</ref>  However, by 2008 there began a marked decline in '''internet atheism''' (see: [[Internet atheism web traffic volume]]).<ref name="questionevolution.blogspot.com">[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/05/internet-atheism-and-skepticism-thrill.html Internet atheism: The thrill is gone!]</ref>  
  
One of the reasons why some atheist participate in internet atheism is that offline participation in the atheist community is often difficult.<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2012/08/10/how-the-atheist-movement-failed-me-part-1-cost/ How the Atheist Movement Failed Me – Part 1: Cost]</ref>  
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One of the reasons why some atheist participate in internet atheism is that offline participation in the atheist community is often difficult.<ref name="patheos.com">[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2012/08/10/how-the-atheist-movement-failed-me-part-1-cost/ How the Atheist Movement Failed Me – Part 1: Cost]</ref>  
  
In an essay entitled ''How the Atheist Movement Failed Me'', an [[atheism and women|atheist woman]] noted that participation in the atheist community is often expensive due to the cost of attending [[atheist conferences]] and even local atheist meetings in restaurants and bars challenged her modest budget.<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2012/08/10/how-the-atheist-movement-failed-me-part-1-cost/ How the Atheist Movement Failed Me – Part 1: Cost]</ref>  As a result of the challenges that atheists commonly have in terms of socializing in person, many atheists turn to the internet in terms of communicating with other atheists.
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In an essay entitled ''How the Atheist Movement Failed Me'', an [[atheism and women|atheist woman]] noted that participation in the atheist community is often expensive due to the cost of attending [[atheist conferences]] and even local atheist meetings in restaurants and bars challenged her modest budget.<ref name="patheos.com"/>  As a result of the challenges that atheists commonly have in terms of socializing in person, many atheists turn to the internet in terms of communicating with other atheists.
  
 
In addition, ''Conatus News'' indicates:
 
In addition, ''Conatus News'' indicates:
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''See:'' [[Internet atheism web traffic volume]]
 
''See:'' [[Internet atheism web traffic volume]]
  
During the period of 2008 to 2012, the [[Atheist Population|atheist community]] made a concerted effort to spread atheism through means of the internet. However, leading atheist websites saw plunges in web traffic during the latter period of this time.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/05/internet-atheism-and-skepticism-thrill.html Internet atheism: The thrill is gone!]</ref>
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During the period of 2008 to 2012, the [[Atheist Population|atheist community]] made a concerted effort to spread atheism through means of the internet. However, leading atheist websites saw plunges in web traffic during the latter period of this time.<ref name="questionevolution.blogspot.com"/>
 
[[File:PZ Myers.jpg|thumbnail|200px|left|[[PZ Myers]] is one of the more active bloggers at [[Freethought Blogs]]. ]]
 
[[File:PZ Myers.jpg|thumbnail|200px|left|[[PZ Myers]] is one of the more active bloggers at [[Freethought Blogs]]. ]]
 
In 2016, an article entitled ''2015 was a terrible year for internet atheism'' featured [[Alexa]] web traffic graphs which indicated that some prominent atheist websites lost a significant portion of their global market share.<ref>[http://combatingatheism.blogspot.com/2016/02/2015-was-terrible-year-for-internet.html 2015 was a terrible year for internet atheism]</ref>  Since 2012, [[Freethought Blogs]] (a collection of atheist bloggers) saw a significant decline in its web traffic.<ref>[https://www.quantcast.com/freethoughtblogs.com#/trafficCard Freethoughtblog.com uses Quantcast to measure their web traffic and the demograghhics of their web visitors - Click to see report]</ref>  
 
In 2016, an article entitled ''2015 was a terrible year for internet atheism'' featured [[Alexa]] web traffic graphs which indicated that some prominent atheist websites lost a significant portion of their global market share.<ref>[http://combatingatheism.blogspot.com/2016/02/2015-was-terrible-year-for-internet.html 2015 was a terrible year for internet atheism]</ref>  Since 2012, [[Freethought Blogs]] (a collection of atheist bloggers) saw a significant decline in its web traffic.<ref>[https://www.quantcast.com/freethoughtblogs.com#/trafficCard Freethoughtblog.com uses Quantcast to measure their web traffic and the demograghhics of their web visitors - Click to see report]</ref>  
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{{cquote|Atheists are making a concerted effort to win the youth of America and the world. Hundreds of websites and blogs on the Internet seek to convince and convert adolescents, endeavoring to remove any residue of [[theism]] from their minds and hearts by packaging atheism as the choice of a new generation. While you think your kids are innocently surfing the Web, secular progressives are intentionally preying on their innocence and naïveté.
 
{{cquote|Atheists are making a concerted effort to win the youth of America and the world. Hundreds of websites and blogs on the Internet seek to convince and convert adolescents, endeavoring to remove any residue of [[theism]] from their minds and hearts by packaging atheism as the choice of a new generation. While you think your kids are innocently surfing the Web, secular progressives are intentionally preying on their innocence and naïveté.
  
What's preposterous is that atheists are now advertising and soliciting on websites particularly created for teens...<ref>http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55789</ref>}}
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What's preposterous is that atheists are now advertising and soliciting on websites particularly created for teens...<ref name="wnd.com">http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55789</ref>}}
  
 
Atheism internet outreach efforts, however, [[Ineffectiveness of atheist internet outreach|have been very ineffective]].
 
Atheism internet outreach efforts, however, [[Ineffectiveness of atheist internet outreach|have been very ineffective]].
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{{Cquote|In the passionate world of [[American atheism]], the venom usually directed at believers has now been turned against the wrong kind of atheists...
 
{{Cquote|In the passionate world of [[American atheism]], the venom usually directed at believers has now been turned against the wrong kind of atheists...
  
It took 700 years from [[Constantine]] renaming Byzantium in his own honour to papal legates circulating letters of anathema that split the [[Roman Catholicism|Roman]] and [[Orthodox Christianity|Orthodox churches]]. Atheism, in its public, online life, has started exchanging internet anathemas – perhaps we should call them inathemas – in little more than a decade.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2012/sep/02/american-atheism-schism-spit-venom Is American atheism heading for a schism?] by Peter McGrath, ''The Guardian''</ref>}}
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It took 700 years from [[Constantine]] renaming Byzantium in his own honour to papal legates circulating letters of [[anathema]] that split the [[Roman Catholicism|Roman]] and [[Orthodox Christianity|Orthodox churches]]. Atheism, in its public, online life, has started exchanging internet anathemas – perhaps we should call them inathemas – in little more than a decade.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2012/sep/02/american-atheism-schism-spit-venom Is American atheism heading for a schism?] by Peter McGrath, ''The Guardian''</ref>}}
  
 
Post Elevatorgate and Atheism plus, the conflict between [[atheist feminism]] and anti-feminism atheists continues. Two of the most anti-feminism atheists are YouTube atheists [[Thunderf00t]] and [[TheAmazingAtheist]].
 
Post Elevatorgate and Atheism plus, the conflict between [[atheist feminism]] and anti-feminism atheists continues. Two of the most anti-feminism atheists are YouTube atheists [[Thunderf00t]] and [[TheAmazingAtheist]].
  
== Google trends - Atheism and agnosticism terms ==
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== Google trends data - searches of atheism and agnosticism terms ==
[[File:Birkbeck College, University of London.jpg|right|thumbnail|200px|[[Eric Kaufmann]], a professor at [[Birkbeck College, University of London]], using a wealth of demographic studies, argues that there will be a significant decline of global atheism in the 21st century which will impact the [[Western World]].<ref>
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*[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 London]
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*[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/2011/05/eric-kaufmann-shall-religious-inherit.html Eric Kaufmann: Shall The Religious Inherit The Earth?]
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*[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/search/label/atheist%20demographics Eric Kaufmann's Atheist Demographic series]
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*[http://fora.tv/2010/09/05/Eric_Kaufmann_Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth Eric Kaufmann: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?, Australian Broadcasting Corporation]</ref>]]
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''See also:'' [[Google trends - Atheism and agnosticism terms]]
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See: [[Google trends - Atheism and agnosticism terms]]
  
[[Google]] trends measures the interest in various words/phrases as far as Google searches over time.
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== Percentage of atheists in the world is shrinking while world internet usage is expanding  ==
  
=== Google trends data as a reflection of various events/trends ===
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''See also:'' [[Global atheism]] and [[Decline of atheism]] and [[Atheist Population]] and [[Resources for leaving atheism and becoming a Christian]]
  
What occurs in the offline world affects the online realm.  In terms of global market share, atheism is experiencing a [[Global atheism|global decline]]. In addition, many developed countries are receiving a large influx of religious conservatives who have higher fertility rates than their secular counterparts.<ref>
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The internet is a global medium which growing rapidly in usage throughout the world.<ref>http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm</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 London]
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[[File:Blue Marble.jpg|thumbnail|right|175px|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]] ]]
*[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/2011/05/eric-kaufmann-shall-religious-inherit.html Eric Kaufmann: Shall The Religious Inherit The Earth?]
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The percentage of people in the world who are atheists is shrinking (see: [[Global atheism statistics]]).
*[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/search/label/atheist%20demographics Eric Kaufmann's Atheist Demographic series]
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*[http://fora.tv/2010/09/05/Eric_Kaufmann_Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth Eric Kaufmann: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?, Australian Broadcasting Corporation]</ref>  
+
  
In the 21st century, the process of [[desecularization]] is expected to grow in the world ([[Growth of global desecularization]]).<ref>
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On July 24, 2013, ''CNS News'' reported:
*[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 London]
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{{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>}}
*[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/2011/05/eric-kaufmann-shall-religious-inherit.html Eric Kaufmann: Shall The Religious Inherit The Earth?]
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*[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/search/label/atheist%20demographics Eric Kaufmann's Atheist Demographic series]
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*[http://fora.tv/2010/09/05/Eric_Kaufmann_Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth Eric Kaufmann: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?, Australian Broadcasting Corporation]</ref> Professor [[Eric Kaufmann]], told a secular audience in Australia: "The trends that are happening worldwide inevitably in an age of globalization are going to affect us."<ref>[http://fora.tv/2010/09/05/Eric_Kaufmann_Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth Shall the religious inherit the earth]</ref>
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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]]).
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In 2011, the ''[[American Spectator]]'' citing research published in the ''International Bulletin of Missionary Research'' reported that atheism is on the decline as a whole in terms of adherents.<ref name="spectator.org">http://spectator.org/archives/2011/02/28/thriving-christianity</ref> 
  
=== Google trends data ===
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The ''American Spectator'' declared:
 
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{{cquote|The report estimates about 80,000 new [[Christianity|Christians]] every day, 79,000 new [[Islam|Muslims]] every day, and 300 fewer 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 name="spectator.org">http://spectator.org/archives/2011/02/28/thriving-christianity</ref>}}
Below is Google trends data for various terms relating to atheism/agnosticism for various countries and the world as a whole and in general there is a recent downward trends as far as atheism related searches:
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*[http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=atheism%2C%20atheist%2C%20Richard%20Dawkins%2C%20agnostic%2C%20agnosticism&cmpt=q&tz= General atheism/agnostic terms - World]
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*[http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=atheism%2C%20atheist%2C%20Richard%20Dawkins%2C%20agnostic%2C%20agnosticism&geo=US&cmpt=q&tz= General atheism/agnostic terms - USA]
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*[http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=atheism%2C%20atheist%2C%20Richard%20Dawkins%2C%20agnostic%2C%20agnosticism&geo=GB&cmpt=q&tz= General atheism/agnostic terms - UK]
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*[http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=atheism%2C%20atheist%2C%20Richard%20Dawkins%2C%20agnostic%2C%20agnosticism&geo=CA&cmpt=q&tz= General atheism/agnostic terms - Canada]
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*[http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=atheism%2C%20atheist%2C%20Richard%20Dawkins%2C%20agnostic%2C%20agnosticism&geo=AU&cmpt=q&tz= General atheism/agnostic terms - Australia]
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*[http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=atheism%2C%20atheist%2C%20Richard%20Dawkins%2C%20agnostic%2C%20agnosticism&geo=NZ&cmpt=q&tz= General atheism/agnostic terms - New Zealand]
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*[http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=atheism%2C%20atheist%2C%20Richard%20Dawkins%2C%20agnostic%2C%20agnosticism&geo=SG&cmpt=q&tz= General atheism/agnostic terms - Singapore]
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On February 24, 2015, the ''Science Nordic'' website declared: "Creationism has particularly been on the rise in step with the internet, which according to Peter Kjærgaard has made it much easier for people to become activists...<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2015/03/science-nordic-5-year-study-shows.html Science Nordic: 5 year study shows: Creationism, the belief that God -- not evolution -- shaped life on Earth, is spreading in the very stronghold of evolution, Europe]</ref>
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=== Specific atheism terms ===
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*[http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=atheism%20statistics%2C%20history%20of%20atheism%2C%20atheism%20quotes&cmpt=q&tz= Specific atheism terms worldwide]
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*[http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=atheism%20statistics%2C%20history%20of%20atheism%2C%20atheism%20quotes%2C%20atheism%20beliefs&geo=US&cmpt=q&tz= Specific atheism terms USA]
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=== Worldwide interest in evolutionary ideas ===
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*[http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=evolution%2C%20theory%20of%20evolution%2C%20Charles%20Darwin&cmpt=q&tz= Worldwide interest in evolutionary ideas]
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*[http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=Jesus%2C%20Charles%20Darwin&cmpt=q&tz= Worldwide online interest in Jesus vs. worldwide online interest in Charles Darwin]
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=== Creationism evangelism in the countries cited above in terms of Google trend data ===
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[[File:Ken Ham press.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Ken Ham]] is the president of the [[Answers in Genesis]] ministry. ]]
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Since [[World War II]] a majority of the most prominent and vocal defenders of the [[evolution]]ary position which employs [[methodological naturalism]] have been atheists and agnostics (see also: [[Causes of evolutionary belief]]).<ref>
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* Dr. Don Batten, [http://creation.com/a-whos-who-of-evolutionists A ''Who’s Who'' of evolutionists] ''Creation'' 20(1):32, December 1997.
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* [[Jonathan Sarfati]], Ph.D.,F.M., [http://www.creation.com/content/view/3830 ''Refuting Evolution'', Chapter 1, Facts and Bias]
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</ref> In 2007, "[[Discovery Institute]]'s Center for Science and Culture...announced that over 700 scientists from around the world have now signed a statement expressing their skepticism about the contemporary theory of [[Charles Darwin|Darwinian]] evolution."<ref>http://www.discovery.org/a/2732</ref> 
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On February 24, 2015, the ''Science Nordic'' website declared: "Creationism has particularly been on the rise in step with the internet, which according to Peter Kjærgaard has made it much easier for people to become activists..."<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2015/03/science-nordic-5-year-study-shows.html Science Nordic: 5 year study shows: Creationism, the belief that God -- not evolution -- shaped life on Earth, is spreading in the very stronghold of evolution, Europe]</ref>
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==== PZ Myers' commentary on the web traffic of AIG's ministry ====
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In 2011, the [[Atheism|atheist]] and [[evolution]]ist [[PZ Myers]] said that he had greater blog traffic than the [[Answers in Genesis]] website and that the Answers in Genesis (AIG) website had "pathetic" web traffic.<ref>[http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2011/03/22/ken-ham-brags-about-his-websit/ Ken Ham brags about his websites]</ref> As of June 8, 2016, the Answers in Genesis website receives more web traffic than [[Freethought Blogs]].<ref>[http://combatingatheism.blogspot.com/2016/07/creationist-ken-ham-vs-atheist-pz-myers.html Creationist Ken Ham vs. atheist and evolutionist PZ Myers]</ref>
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== Elevatorgate and Richard Dawkins' loss of online influence ==
 
== Elevatorgate and Richard Dawkins' loss of online influence ==
 
[[File:Richard Dawkins Stockholm.JPG|alt=Richard Dawkins|thumbnail|200px|right|[[Richard Dawkins]] ]]
 
[[File:Richard Dawkins Stockholm.JPG|alt=Richard Dawkins|thumbnail|200px|right|[[Richard Dawkins]] ]]
''See also:'' [[Atheist movement]] and [[Elevatorgate]]
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''See also:'' [[Elevatorgate]] and [[Richard Dawkins and social media]] and [[Atheist movement]]
  
Richard Dawkins is still widely criticized for causing embarrassment to his fellow atheists via his [[Elevatorgate]] scandal and for igniting deep fractures in the [[atheist movement]].<ref>
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Richard Dawkins is still widely criticized for causing embarrassment to his fellow atheists via his [[Elevatorgate]] controversy and for igniting deep fractures in the [[atheist movement]].<ref>
 
*[http://www.salon.com/life/feature/2011/07/08/atheist_flirting Richard Dawkins: Skeptic of women? - Salon, July 8, 2011]
 
*[http://www.salon.com/life/feature/2011/07/08/atheist_flirting Richard Dawkins: Skeptic of women? - Salon, July 8, 2011]
 
*[http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/david-allen-green/2011/07/richard-dawkins-chewing-gum Sharing a lift with Richard Dawkins by David Allen Green - New Stateman - 06 July 2011]
 
*[http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/david-allen-green/2011/07/richard-dawkins-chewing-gum Sharing a lift with Richard Dawkins by David Allen Green - New Stateman - 06 July 2011]
 
*[http://gawker.com/5818993/richard-dawkins-torn-limb-from-limbby-atheists Richard Dawkins Torn Limb From Limb—By Atheists - Gawker]
 
*[http://gawker.com/5818993/richard-dawkins-torn-limb-from-limbby-atheists Richard Dawkins Torn Limb From Limb—By Atheists - Gawker]
*[http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2011-09-15/atheist-sexism-women/50416454/1 Atheists address sexism issues - USA Today]
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*[https://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2011-09-15/atheist-sexism-women/50416454/1 Atheists address sexism issues - USA Today]
*[http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jul/24/richard-dawkins-women-chilly-climate Richard Dawkins, check the evidence on the 'chilly climate' for women] by Emily Band, ''The Guardian'', July 24, 2011  
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*[https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jul/24/richard-dawkins-women-chilly-climate Richard Dawkins, check the evidence on the 'chilly climate' for women] by Emily Band, ''The Guardian'', July 24, 2011  
 
*[http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/07/05/richard-dawkins-and-male-privilege/#.VYgS0LZmLUA Richard Dawkins and male privilege] By Phil Plait, ''Discover Magazine'', July 5, 2011 10:30 am</ref>   
 
*[http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/07/05/richard-dawkins-and-male-privilege/#.VYgS0LZmLUA Richard Dawkins and male privilege] By Phil Plait, ''Discover Magazine'', July 5, 2011 10:30 am</ref>   
  
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Although his following of Dawkian atheist has significantly waned post-Elevatorgate and due to his generally [[Abrasiveness of Richard Dawkins|abrasive manner]], he does retain a small cult following (See: [[Richard Dawkins' loss of influence]] and [[Richard Dawkins' cult of personality]] and [[Atheist cults]]).   
 
Although his following of Dawkian atheist has significantly waned post-Elevatorgate and due to his generally [[Abrasiveness of Richard Dawkins|abrasive manner]], he does retain a small cult following (See: [[Richard Dawkins' loss of influence]] and [[Richard Dawkins' cult of personality]] and [[Atheist cults]]).   
[[File:Richard Dawkins web traffic 12-23-12.png|thumbnail|center|750px|According to the web traffic tracking company [[Quantcast]], the web traffic of Richard Dawkins's website fell in 2012.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/12/2012-has-been-bad-year-for-richard.html 2012 has been a very BAD year for Richard Dawkins's website according to Quantcast]</ref> By October 2014, the web traffic for his website fell to a lower level according to Quantcast.<ref>[http://shockawenow.blogspot.com/2014/10/richard-dawkins-loss-of-influence.html Richard Dawkins' loss of influence]</ref>
 
 
  
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[[File:Richard Dawkins web traffic 12-23-12.png|thumbnail|center|775px|According to the web traffic tracking company [[Quantcast]], the web traffic of Richard Dawkins' website fell in 2012.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/12/2012-has-been-bad-year-for-richard.html 2012 has been a very BAD year for Richard Dawkins's website according to Quantcast]</ref> By October 2014, the web traffic for his website fell to a lower level according to Quantcast.<ref>[http://shockawenow.blogspot.com/2014/10/richard-dawkins-loss-of-influence.html Richard Dawkins' loss of influence]</ref>
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<br />
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<br />
  
The website traffic is measured via [[Quantcast]] which directly measures Dawkins' website traffic via embedded code on his website.<ref>[https://www.quantcast.com/measure/ Quantcast - Quantcast Measure]</ref>]]
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The web traffic was measured via [[Quantcast]] which directly measured Dawkins' website traffic via embedded code on his website.<ref name="Quantcast - Quantcast Measure">[https://www.quantcast.com/measure/ Quantcast - Quantcast Measure]</ref>]]
  
 
=== Recent web traffic according to Quantcast which directly measured Dawkins' website traffic ===
 
=== Recent web traffic according to Quantcast which directly measured Dawkins' website traffic ===
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The website traffic is measured via [[Quantcast]] which directly measures Dawkins' website traffic via embedded code on his website.<ref>[https://www.quantcast.com/measure/ Quantcast - Quantcast Measure]</ref>]]
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The website traffic is measured via [[Quantcast]] which directly measures Dawkins' website traffic via embedded code on his website.<ref name="Quantcast - Quantcast Measure"/>]]
 
=== Alexa ranking of Richard Dawkins' website ===
 
=== Alexa ranking of Richard Dawkins' website ===
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''See also:'' [[Alexa rankings of Richard Dawkins' website]]
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[[File:Richarddawkins.net alexa.png|thumbnail|center|400px|According to [[Alexa]], Richard Dawkins website lost a large amount of its global market share during to period between 2010 and the beginning portion of 2012.]]
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{{Clear}}
 
[[File:Richard Dawkins alexa 2016.png|thumbnail|center|400px|In 2015, Richard Dawkins' website fell in terms of its [[Alexa]] ranking.]]
 
[[File:Richard Dawkins alexa 2016.png|thumbnail|center|400px|In 2015, Richard Dawkins' website fell in terms of its [[Alexa]] ranking.]]
 
{{Clear}}
 
{{Clear}}
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{{Clear}}
 
{{Clear}}
 
[[File:Richard Dawkins Alexa December 2016.png|thumbnail|400px|center|In the latter half of 2016, Richard Dawkins' website saw a significant decline in its Alexa ranking.]]
 
[[File:Richard Dawkins Alexa December 2016.png|thumbnail|400px|center|In the latter half of 2016, Richard Dawkins' website saw a significant decline in its Alexa ranking.]]
[[File:Richard Dawkins alexa feb 2017.png|thumbnail|center|400px|In 2016 and the in the beginning portion of 2017, the global internet market share of of Richard Dawkins' website has been falling according to the web traffic tracking company Alexa.]]
+
[[File:Richard Dawkins alexa feb 2017.png|thumbnail|center|400px|In 2016 and the in the beginning portion of 2017, the global internet market share of Richard Dawkins' website has been falling according to the web traffic tracking company Alexa.]]
 +
{{Clear}}
 +
[[File:Richard dawkins alexa 10-27-2017.png|thumbnail|center|400px|On November 27, 2017, Richard Dawkins' website was the 158,206th most popular website in the world.
 +
<br />
 +
<br />
 +
His website was losing global market share in the latter quarter of 2017.]]
 +
{{clear}}
 +
[[File:Richard dawkins alexa ranking 2018.png|thumbnail|center|400px|On November 9, 2018, Richard Dawkins' website was the 190,708th most popular website in the world according to Alexa.
 +
<br />
 +
<br />
 +
Compared to 2017, Richard Dawkins' website lost global market share according to Alexa.]]
 
{{Clear}}
 
{{Clear}}
  
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See: [[Richard Dawkins#Google trends: Searches for the term Richard Dawkins has seen a marked decline|Google trends: Searches for the term Richard Dawkins has seen a marked decline]]
 
See: [[Richard Dawkins#Google trends: Searches for the term Richard Dawkins has seen a marked decline|Google trends: Searches for the term Richard Dawkins has seen a marked decline]]
 
== Sam Harris' main website and his Project Reason website shutdown ==
 
 
''See also:'' [[Sam Harris]]
 
 
As can be seen below, [[Sam Harris]]' main website has seen an uptick in traffic.  This is probably partly due to his recent public commenary on superintelligent artificial intelligence to the public at large<ref>Harris, Sam (2016). "[https://www.ted.com/talks/sam_harris_can_we_build_ai_without_losing_control_over_it Can we build AI without losing control over it?[" TED. June 2016.</ref>
 
and his commentary on [[Islam]]. In addition, perhaps [[New Atheism|new atheist]] Richard Dawkins' recent pulling back from public life due to an illness in 2016 caused Sam Harris, who is also a new atheist, to obtain some of Dawkins' web traffic.
 
 
On the other hand, as can be seen below, Harris' ambitious plans for his [[Project Reason]] website were not successful.
 
 
=== Sam Harris' main website ===
 
 
[[File:Sam Harris alexa March 2016.png|thumbnail|center|400px|A March 2017 [[Alexa]] graph indicates that Sam Harris' main website experienced a surge in web traffic.]]
 
 
=== Project Reason ===
 
 
''See also:'' [[Project Reason]]
 
 
Sam Harris' Project Reason website indicated concerning the online project:
 
{{cquote|Project Reason is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation devoted to spreading scientific knowledge and secular values in society. The foundation draws on the talents of prominent and creative thinkers in a wide range of disciplines to encourage critical thinking and erode the influence of dogmatism, superstition, and bigotry in our world.
 
 
One immediate need is to build an archive of the best secular resources on the Internet. Registered users can submit their favorite articles, videos, interviews, etc."<ref name="Sam Harris, Project Reason failed!">[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/06/sam-harris-project-reason-failed.html Sam Harris, Project Reason failed!]</ref>}}
 
 
In addition, the article [http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/06/sam-harris-project-reason-failed.html''Sam Harris, Project Reason failed''] offers this web traffic graph from the web traffic tracking company Alexa:
 
 
[[File:Project Reason 6-26-2012 alexa.png|thumbnail|600px|center|An Alexa web traffic tracking graph for Project Reason taken from the article ''Sam Harris, Project Reason failed''<ref name="Sam Harris, Project Reason failed!">[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/06/sam-harris-project-reason-failed.html Sam Harris, Project Reason failed!]</ref>]]
 
 
 
An updated Alexa web traffic tracking graph on January 31, 2014:
 
 
[[File:Project reason 1-31-2013.png|thumbnail|center|600px|A January 31, 2014 Alexa web traffic tracking graph for the website Project Reason]]
 
 
The [[Shadow To Light blog]] wrote in 2016:
 
{{Cquote|It looks to me like Project Reason is dead.  Which is weird given that there is no announcement or explanation.  If Project Reason is indeed gone, then Harris is quietly trying to slip it down the memory hole.  But why?
 
 
So I looked around on the internet and the only information I could find was in a very brief thread on the forum on Sam Harris’s remaining webpage:
 
 
::The Administrator:”Project Reason has been retired as a website. It’s forum has been transplanted here.”
 
 
::Someone asked, “Does that mean Project Reason itself has dissolved and is not taking on projects?”
 
 
::Administrator replied: “Correct.”
 
 
If it is true that Project Reason has been dissolved and is no longer taking on projects (since it no longer exists), then why hasn’t Harris made this announcement?<ref>[https://shadowtolight.wordpress.com/2016/01/15/is-project-reason-gone/ Is Project Reason Gone?], [[Shadow to Light blog]]</ref>}}
 
  
 
== Freethought Blogs ==
 
== Freethought Blogs ==
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{{Clear}}
 
{{Clear}}
 
[[File:Freethoughtblogs.com Alexa December 2016.png|400px|center|thumbnail|Freethought Blogs fell sharply in its Alexa ranking for much of the latter part of 2016]].
 
[[File:Freethoughtblogs.com Alexa December 2016.png|400px|center|thumbnail|Freethought Blogs fell sharply in its Alexa ranking for much of the latter part of 2016]].
 +
{{Clear}}
 +
[[File:Freethoughtbllogs alexa May 2017.png|400px|center|thumbnail|In May 2017, according to Alexa, Frrethoughtblogs continued to lose global market share.]]
 +
{{Clear}}
 +
[[File:Freethoughtblogs alexa 9-4-2017.png|400px|center|thumbnail|According to Alexa, on September 4, 2017, Freethought Blogs was the 71,540th most popular website in the world.]]
 +
{{Clear}}
 +
[[File:Freethoughtblogs alexa 10-27-2017.png|thumbnail|center|400px|According to Alexa, on November 27, 2017, Freethoughtblogs was the 78,627th most popular website in the world.]]
 +
{{Clear}}
 +
 
=== Freethought Blogs appear to receive significantly less traffic from women ===
 
=== Freethought Blogs appear to receive significantly less traffic from women ===
  
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[[File:Skepchick alexa.png|thumbnail|center|300px|According to the website traffic tracking company [[Alexa]], the [[Skepchick]] website saw a large decrease in its global market share from October 2015 to September 2016.]]
 
[[File:Skepchick alexa.png|thumbnail|center|300px|According to the website traffic tracking company [[Alexa]], the [[Skepchick]] website saw a large decrease in its global market share from October 2015 to September 2016.]]
 +
{{Clear}}
 +
[[File:Skepchick Alexa 2017.png|thumbnail|center|300px|According to Alexa, the Skepchick website continued to lose global market share in the latter part of 2016.]]
 +
{{Clear}}
 +
[[File:Skepchick alexa 9-4-2007.png|thumbnail|center|300px|According to Alexa, on September 4, 2017, the Skepchick website was the 448,390th most popular website in the world in terms of its web traffic. ]]
 +
{{Clear}}
 +
[[File:Skepchick alexa 10-27-2017.png|thumbnail|center|300px|According to Alexa, on October 27, 2017, the Skepchick website was the 587,446th most popular website in the world in terms of its web traffic. ]]
 +
{{Clear}}
  
 
== The Orbit ==
 
== The Orbit ==
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''See also:'' [[The Orbit]]
 
''See also:'' [[The Orbit]]
  
[[File:The Orbit 2016 Alexa December.png|thumbnail|225px|right|According to the web traffic tracking company [[Alexa]], The Orbit began losing global market share in August of 2016. See also: [[Internet atheism]] ]]
+
[[File:The Orbit alexa 9-4-2017.png|thumbnail|225px|right|In 2016, The Orbit website lost a considerable amount of its global market share according to the web traffic tracking company [[Alexa]]. On September 4, 2017 it was the 357,369th most popular website in the world according to Alexa. ]]
 
The [[Atheism|atheist]] blogger  [[Hemant Mehta]] reported about the atheist blog network [[The Orbit]]:
 
The [[Atheism|atheist]] blogger  [[Hemant Mehta]] reported about the atheist blog network [[The Orbit]]:
 
{{Cquote|Nearly two dozen atheist bloggers — many from [[Freethought Blogs]], along with a few others from Patheos, [[Skepchick]], and independent sites — are about to launch a new website called The Orbit. (The site isn’t functional just yet, but it should come online soon.)
 
{{Cquote|Nearly two dozen atheist bloggers — many from [[Freethought Blogs]], along with a few others from Patheos, [[Skepchick]], and independent sites — are about to launch a new website called The Orbit. (The site isn’t functional just yet, but it should come online soon.)
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''See also:'' [[Reddit atheism]]
 
''See also:'' [[Reddit atheism]]
  
[[Reddit atheism]], also known as r/[[atheism]], is one of the largest internet groups of atheists.<ref>[http://mashable.com/2013/06/14/reddit-atheism-mods/ Reddit Atheists Have New Leadership After Turbulent Coup]</ref>   
+
[[Reddit atheism]], also known as r/[[atheism]], is one of the largest internet groups of atheists.<ref name="mashable.com">[http://mashable.com/2013/06/14/reddit-atheism-mods/ Reddit Atheists Have New Leadership After Turbulent Coup]</ref>   
  
 
=== In 2013 Reddit atheism lost its main page status ===
 
=== In 2013 Reddit atheism lost its main page status ===
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In 2013 it suffered a major setback as it lost its status as a default subreddit (default subreddits are the forums that all non-logged in users see when they visit the site. In other words, the atheism subreddit was removed from its homepage).<ref>[http://www.dailydot.com/news/reddit-atheism-politics-new-default-subreddits/ Reddit dumps r/atheism and r/politics from its default homepage]</ref>
 
In 2013 it suffered a major setback as it lost its status as a default subreddit (default subreddits are the forums that all non-logged in users see when they visit the site. In other words, the atheism subreddit was removed from its homepage).<ref>[http://www.dailydot.com/news/reddit-atheism-politics-new-default-subreddits/ Reddit dumps r/atheism and r/politics from its default homepage]</ref>
  
In 2016, due to Reddit removing inactive "ghost accounts", Reddit reduced the amount of members in Reddit atheism by 10,000 user accounts.<ref>[http://motherboard.vice.com/read/reddit-rapture-how-ratheism-suddenly-lost-10000-users Reddit Rapture: How r/atheism Suddenly Lost 10,000 Users]</ref>
+
In 2016, due to Reddit removing inactive "ghost accounts", Reddit reduced the amount of members in Reddit atheism by 10,000 user accounts.<ref name="motherboard.vice.com">[http://motherboard.vice.com/read/reddit-rapture-how-ratheism-suddenly-lost-10000-users Reddit Rapture: How r/atheism Suddenly Lost 10,000 Users]</ref>
  
 
=== Reddit atheism has a bad reputation ===
 
=== Reddit atheism has a bad reputation ===
  
A June 14, 2013 ''Mashable''  article declared: "In recent years, r/atheism has become known for memes, images, quote pictures and other content viewed by some as "low brow."<ref>[http://mashable.com/2013/06/14/reddit-atheism-mods/ Reddit Atheists Have New Leadership After Turbulent Coup]</ref>
+
A June 14, 2013 ''Mashable''  article declared: "In recent years, r/atheism has become known for memes, images, quote pictures and other content viewed by some as "low brow."<ref name="mashable.com"/>
  
According to the website Motherboard.com, "The term “reddit atheist” has evolved as a shorthand in recent years for a negative internet cliché, that of the rabid [[Richard Dawkins]] supporter, the mansplainer..." <ref>[http://motherboard.vice.com/read/reddit-rapture-how-ratheism-suddenly-lost-10000-users Reddit Rapture: How r/atheism Suddenly Lost 10,000 Users]</ref>
+
According to the website Motherboard.com, "The term “reddit atheist” has evolved as a shorthand in recent years for a negative internet cliché, that of the rabid [[Richard Dawkins]] supporter, the mansplainer..." <ref name="motherboard.vice.com"/>
  
 
Historically, the atheist population has often used mockery as a substitution for reasonable discussion/debate and Reddit atheism is a continuation of this tradition (see: [[Atheism and mockery]]).
 
Historically, the atheist population has often used mockery as a substitution for reasonable discussion/debate and Reddit atheism is a continuation of this tradition (see: [[Atheism and mockery]]).
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''See also:'' [[Atheism and cowardice]] and [[Christian apologetics|Evidence for Christianity]]
 
''See also:'' [[Atheism and cowardice]] and [[Christian apologetics|Evidence for Christianity]]
  
In May 2013, Policymic published an article on Reddit atheism  which indicated that Reddit atheists are reluctant to share their atheism offline.<ref>[http://www.policymic.com/articles/41797/reddit-users-why-atheist-redditors-are-stuck-on-the-internet  ''Reddit Users: Why Atheist Redditors Are Stuck On the Internet'']</ref>
+
In May 2013, Policymic published an article on Reddit atheism  which indicated that Reddit atheists are reluctant to share their atheism offline.<ref name="policymic.com">[http://www.policymic.com/articles/41797/reddit-users-why-atheist-redditors-are-stuck-on-the-internet  ''Reddit Users: Why Atheist Redditors Are Stuck On the Internet'']</ref>
  
 
The  Policymic article declared:
 
The  Policymic article declared:
{{cquote|Are we to make cowards out of Reddit’s atheists for the discrepancy between the prevalence of real life and internet proclamations of godlessness? Maybe, as the world’s loudest atheist, Richard Dawkins, first bemoaned in his TED talk, “Atheists do not want to be impolite … Can we stop being so damned polite?” Or, as R/atheist stalwart with the username “blackstar9000” explained in a very thoughtful post on the state of the atheist subreddit, “Many of the users are just recently converted, who fear being ostracized by people the religious people who make up their support system.”<ref>[http://www.policymic.com/articles/41797/reddit-users-why-atheist-redditors-are-stuck-on-the-internet  ''Reddit Users: Why Atheist Redditors Are Stuck On the Internet'']</ref>}}
+
{{cquote|Are we to make cowards out of Reddit’s atheists for the discrepancy between the prevalence of real life and internet proclamations of godlessness? Maybe, as the world’s loudest atheist, Richard Dawkins, first bemoaned in his TED talk, “Atheists do not want to be impolite … Can we stop being so damned polite?” Or, as R/atheist stalwart with the username “blackstar9000” explained in a very thoughtful post on the state of the atheist subreddit, “Many of the users are just recently converted, who fear being ostracized by people the religious people who make up their support system.”<ref name="policymic.com">[http://www.policymic.com/articles/41797/reddit-users-why-atheist-redditors-are-stuck-on-the-internet  ''Reddit Users: Why Atheist Redditors Are Stuck On the Internet'']</ref>}}
  
 
Atheists have a reputation for apathy and cowardice when it comes to sharing their atheism with others and defending atheism against valid criticism (See:  [[Atheism and apathy]] and [[Atheism and cowardice]]).
 
Atheists have a reputation for apathy and cowardice when it comes to sharing their atheism with others and defending atheism against valid criticism (See:  [[Atheism and apathy]] and [[Atheism and cowardice]]).
Line 291: Line 229:
 
''See also:'' [[YouTube atheism]]
 
''See also:'' [[YouTube atheism]]
  
In December of 2015, a video entitled ''What Killed YouTube [[Atheism]]?'' was released giving a number of reasons YouTube atheism saw a big decline.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oBLvalMb3A What Killed YouTube atheism?]</ref>
+
[[Image:chuck_norris.jpg|thumbnail|150px|right|[[Chuck Norris]] endorses the Total Gym exercise system.<ref>http://www.totalgymdirect.com/</ref>]]
 +
In 2007, WorldNetDaily featured a column by the [[Christian]] [[Chuck Norris]] which declared:
 +
{{cquote|Atheists are making a concerted effort to win the youth of America and the world. Hundreds of websites and blogs on the Internet seek to convince and convert adolescents, endeavoring to remove any residue of [[theism]] from their minds and hearts by packaging atheism as the choice of a new generation. While you think your kids are innocently surfing the Web, secular progressives are intentionally preying on their innocence and naivete.
  
In addition, a December 2015 video entitled ''How [[Feminism]] destroyed '[[New Atheism]]''', YouTube atheist/evolutionist [[Thunderf00t]] pointed out that merely 2 out of 7 YouTube atheist/evolutionist channels that he plugged in the past are now active.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emrD6hTKkIY How Feminism destroyed 'New Atheism']</ref>
+
What's preposterous is that atheists are now advertising and soliciting on websites particularly created for teens.  
== Percentage of atheists in the world is shrinking while world internet usage is expandking  ==
+
  
''See also:'' [[Global atheism]] and [[Decline of atheism]] and [[Atheist Population]] and [[Resources for leaving atheism and becoming a Christian]]
+
[[YouTube]], the most popular video site on the Net for young people, is one of their primary avenues for passing off their secularist propaganda.<ref name="wnd.com">http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55789</ref>}}
  
The internet is a global medium which growing rapidly in usage throughout the world.<ref>http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm</ref> 
+
Atheism internet outreach efforts, however, [[Ineffectiveness of atheist internet outreach|have been ineffective]].  
  
The percentage of people in the world who are atheists is shrinking (see: [[Global atheism statistics]]).  
+
In October 2016, a video entitled ''What Killed YouTube [[Atheism]]?'' was released which gave a few  reasons why YouTube atheism saw a big decline.<ref>''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gt8CfyA_BE What Killed YouTube Atheism]?''</ref>
  
In 2011, the ''[[American Spectator]]'' citing research published in the ''International Bulletin of Missionary Research'' reported that atheism is on the decline as a whole in terms of adherents.<ref>http://spectator.org/archives/2011/02/28/thriving-christianity</ref> 
+
In addition, a December 2015 video entitled ''How [[Feminism]] destroyed '[[New Atheism]]''', YouTube atheist/evolutionist [[Thunderf00t]] pointed out that merely 2 out of 7 YouTube atheist/evolutionist channels that he plugged in the past are now active.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emrD6hTKkIY How Feminism destroyed 'New Atheism']</ref>
 
+
The ''American Spectator'' declared:
+
{{cquote|The report estimates about 80,000 new [[Christianity|Christians]] every day, 79,000 new [[Islam|Muslims]] every day, and 300 fewer 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</ref>}}
+
  
 
== Atheist PZ Myers says atheists are largely a population of internet nerds and geeks ==
 
== Atheist PZ Myers says atheists are largely a population of internet nerds and geeks ==
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In 2013, the atheist [[PZ Myers]] declared:
 
In 2013, the atheist [[PZ Myers]] declared:
{{cquote|If we're going to expand our base and we're going to draw in more people to recognize the virtues of living in a secular world, we need to appeal to more than just that geek and nerd subset of the population. We need to have a wider base.  ...I seriously believe that we're on the cusp of a crisis. We're not there yet but it's looming in front of us. Will we adapt and thrive and change the world? Or will we remain an avocation for a prosperous and largely irrelevant subset of the population? Will we become something more than a scattered society of internet nerds? That's what we have to do.<ref>[http://www.evolutionnews.org/2013/04/in_seattle_pz_m070861.html in Seattle, PZ Myers Reflects Candidly on His Constituency]</ref>}}
+
{{cquote|If we're going to expand our base and we're going to draw in more people to recognize the virtues of living in a secular world, we need to appeal to more than just that geek and nerd subset of the population. We need to have a wider base.  ...I seriously believe that we're on the cusp of a crisis. We're not there yet but it's looming in front of us. Will we adapt and thrive and change the world? Or will we remain an avocation for a prosperous and largely irrelevant subset of the population? Will we become something more than a scattered society of internet nerds? That's what we have to do.<ref name="evolutionnews.org">[http://www.evolutionnews.org/2013/04/in_seattle_pz_m070861.html in Seattle, PZ Myers Reflects Candidly on His Constituency]</ref>}}
  
 
In response, ''Evolution News and Views'' wrote:
 
In response, ''Evolution News and Views'' wrote:
{{cquote|A crisis looms, in Myers's view, because he looks around himself and sees a not very promising basis for a mass movement. He's right. There is indeed a quality of geeky isolation from reality, common sense, and the fullness of life that I see as a motif in atheist and Darwin activism alike.<ref>[http://www.evolutionnews.org/2013/04/in_seattle_pz_m070861.html in Seattle, PZ Myers Reflects Candidly on His Constituency]</ref>}}
+
{{cquote|A crisis looms, in Myers's view, because he looks around himself and sees a not very promising basis for a mass movement. He's right. There is indeed a quality of geeky isolation from reality, common sense, and the fullness of life that I see as a motif in atheist and Darwin activism alike.<ref name="evolutionnews.org">[http://www.evolutionnews.org/2013/04/in_seattle_pz_m070861.html in Seattle, PZ Myers Reflects Candidly on His Constituency]</ref>}}
  
 
== Christian websites with a large focus on the topic of atheism  ==
 
== Christian websites with a large focus on the topic of atheism  ==
 
[[File:TFT.JPG|right|200px]]
 
[[File:TFT.JPG|right|200px]]
Four of the more notable [[Christian apologetics|defense of Christianity websites]] which have a large focus on the topic of atheism are: [[True Freethinker]], the [[Creation Ministries International and atheism|Creation Ministries International resources on atheism]], the [[Fixed Point Foundation]] website, and [[Atheism Analyzed]].
+
Four of the more notable [[Christian apologetics|defense of Christianity websites]] which have a large focus on the topic of atheism are: [[Shadow To Light blog]], [[True Freethinker]], the [[Creation Ministries International and atheism|Creation Ministries International resources on atheism]] and the [[Fixed Point Foundation]] website.
  
 
== YouTube atheist TheAmazingAtheist on rape ==
 
== YouTube atheist TheAmazingAtheist on rape ==
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== Atheism websites and polyamory ==
 
== Atheism websites and polyamory ==
[[File:Richard Carrier.jpg|thumbnail|165px|right|The atheist [[Richard Carrier]] divorced his wife and now practices [[Polyamorous|polyamory]].<ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/carrier/archives/6737 Coming Out Poly + A Change of Life Venue]</ref> Before divorcing his wife, he was involved in adulterous affairs.<ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/carrier/archives/6737 Coming Out Poly + A Change of Life Venue]</ref>  ]]
+
[[File:Richard Carrier.jpg|thumbnail|165px|right|The atheist [[Richard Carrier]] divorced his wife and now practices [[Polyamorous|polyamory]].<ref name="freethoughtblogs.com">[http://freethoughtblogs.com/carrier/archives/6737 Coming Out Poly + A Change of Life Venue]</ref> Before divorcing his wife, he was involved in adulterous affairs.<ref name="freethoughtblogs.com"/>  ]]
 
''See also:'' [[Internet atheism and polyamory]]
 
''See also:'' [[Internet atheism and polyamory]]
  
Line 362: Line 298:
 
The website [[Wikipedia]] was co-founded by the atheist [[Jimmy Wales]] and the agnostic Larry Sanger. Wikipedia has a pro-atheism/evolution slant.
 
The website [[Wikipedia]] was co-founded by the atheist [[Jimmy Wales]] and the agnostic Larry Sanger. Wikipedia has a pro-atheism/evolution slant.
  
For example, the current Wikipedia article on atheism is very flattering to atheism. As of June 14, 2012 the Wikipedia atheism article does not explicitly mention the tens of millions who died under atheist [[communism|communist]] regimes although it does allude to it. Dr. R. J. Rummel, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Hawaii, is the scholar who first coined the term "democide" (death by government). Dr. R. J. Rummel's mid estimate regarding the loss of life due to communism is that communism caused the death of approximately 110,286,000 people between 1917 and 1987.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/06/atheism-and-unstable-relationships.html Atheist leaders and immoral relationships]</ref>  Starting on February 20, 2007, Wikipedia had a hotly-debated article on [[militant atheism]] that was deleted on February 18, 2012.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/06/atheism-and-unstable-relationships.html Atheist leaders and immoral relationships]</ref><ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Militant_atheism&action=history</ref>
+
For example, the current Wikipedia article on atheism is very flattering to atheism. As of June 14, 2012 the Wikipedia atheism article does not explicitly mention the tens of millions who died under atheist [[communism|communist]] regimes although it does allude to it. Dr. R. J. Rummel, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Hawaii, is the scholar who first coined the term "democide" (death by government). Dr. R. J. Rummel's mid estimate regarding the loss of life due to communism is that communism caused the death of approximately 110,286,000 people between 1917 and 1987.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/06/atheism-and-unstable-relationships.html Atheist leaders and immoral relationships]</ref>  Starting on February 20, 2007, Wikipedia had a hotly-debated article on [[militant atheism]] that was deleted on February 18, 2012.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/06/atheism-and-unstable-relationships.html Atheist leaders and immoral relationships]</ref><ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Militant_atheism&action=history</ref>
  
 
As of June 14, 2012 Wikipedia had this flattering description of polyamory:
 
As of June 14, 2012 Wikipedia had this flattering description of polyamory:
{{cquote|Polyamory, often abbreviated as poly, is often described as consensual, ethical, or responsible non-monogamy. The word is sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to sexual or romantic relationships that are not sexually exclusive, though there is disagreement on how broadly it applies; an emphasis on ethics, honesty, and transparency all around is widely regarded as the crucial defining characteristic.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/06/atheism-and-unstable-relationships.html Atheist leaders and immoral relationships]</ref>}}
+
{{cquote|Polyamory, often abbreviated as poly, is often described as consensual, ethical, or responsible non-monogamy. The word is sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to sexual or romantic relationships that are not sexually exclusive, though there is disagreement on how broadly it applies; an emphasis on ethics, honesty, and transparency all around is widely regarded as the crucial defining characteristic.<ref name="ReferenceA">[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/06/atheism-and-unstable-relationships.html Atheist leaders and immoral relationships]</ref>}}
  
  
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Overweight individuals may need to decrease their computer and internet usage.<ref>http://www.jmir.org/2009/3/e28/</ref>]]
+
Overweight individuals may need to decrease their computer and internet usage.<ref name="jmir.org">http://www.jmir.org/2009/3/e28/</ref>]]
 
''See also:'' [[Atheism and obesity]] and [[Bariatric science]]
 
''See also:'' [[Atheism and obesity]] and [[Bariatric science]]
  
 
A significant portion of the world's atheists are overweight (see: [[Atheism and obesity]]).
 
A significant portion of the world's atheists are overweight (see: [[Atheism and obesity]]).
  
In an essay entitled ''How the Atheist Movement Failed Me'', an [[atheism and women|atheist woman]] noted that participation in the atheist community is often expensive due to the cost of attending atheist conferences and even local atheist meetings in restaurants and bars challenged her modest budget.<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2012/08/10/how-the-atheist-movement-failed-me-part-1-cost/ How the Atheist Movement Failed Me – Part 1: Cost]</ref>  As a result of the challenges that atheists commonly have in terms of socializing in person, many atheists turn to the internet in terms of communicating with other atheists.<ref>[http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55789 How to outlaw Christianity] by [[Chuck Norris]]</ref>  
+
In an essay entitled ''How the Atheist Movement Failed Me'', an [[atheism and women|atheist woman]] noted that participation in the atheist community is often expensive due to the cost of attending atheist conferences and even local atheist meetings in restaurants and bars challenged her modest budget.<ref name="patheos.com"/>  As a result of the challenges that atheists commonly have in terms of socializing in person, many atheists turn to the internet in terms of communicating with other atheists.<ref>[http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55789 How to outlaw Christianity] by [[Chuck Norris]]</ref>  
  
In 2009, an Australian university study was done concerning the association between leisure time internet and computer use with being overweight and/or [[obesity|obese]] and also sedentary.<ref>http://www.jmir.org/2009/3/e28/</ref> The study concluded: "These findings suggest that, apart from nutritional and physical activity interventions, it may also be necessary to decrease time spent in sedentary behaviors, such as leisure-time Internet and computer use, in order to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity."<ref>http://www.jmir.org/2009/3/e28/</ref> See also: [[Bariatric science]]
+
In 2009, an Australian university study was done concerning the association between leisure time internet and computer use with being overweight and/or [[obesity|obese]] and also sedentary.<ref name="jmir.org"/> The study concluded: "These findings suggest that, apart from nutritional and physical activity interventions, it may also be necessary to decrease time spent in sedentary behaviors, such as leisure-time Internet and computer use, in order to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity."<ref name="jmir.org"/> See also: [[Bariatric science]]
  
 
As noted above, in 2013, the prominent atheist [[PZ Myers]] declared:
 
As noted above, in 2013, the prominent atheist [[PZ Myers]] declared:
{{cquote|If we're going to expand our base and we're going to draw in more people to recognize the virtues of living in a secular world, we need to appeal to more than just that geek and [[nerd]] subset of the population. We need to have a wider base.  ...I seriously believe that we're on the cusp of a crisis. We're not there yet but it's looming in front of us. Will we adapt and thrive and change the world? Or will we remain an avocation for a prosperous and largely irrelevant subset of the population? Will we become something more than a scattered society of internet nerds? That's what we have to do.<ref>[http://www.evolutionnews.org/2013/04/in_seattle_pz_m070861.html in Seattle, PZ Myers Reflects Candidly on His Constituency]</ref>}}
+
{{cquote|If we're going to expand our base and we're going to draw in more people to recognize the virtues of living in a secular world, we need to appeal to more than just that geek and [[nerd]] subset of the population. We need to have a wider base.  ...I seriously believe that we're on the cusp of a crisis. We're not there yet but it's looming in front of us. Will we adapt and thrive and change the world? Or will we remain an avocation for a prosperous and largely irrelevant subset of the population? Will we become something more than a scattered society of internet nerds? That's what we have to do.<ref name="evolutionnews.org">[http://www.evolutionnews.org/2013/04/in_seattle_pz_m070861.html in Seattle, PZ Myers Reflects Candidly on His Constituency]</ref>}}
  
 
Internet nerds are typically less active in sports. Also, atheists are not as active in sports as theists (See: [[Sports performance: Religious faith vs. atheism ]]).  And inactivity is a major risk factor for [[obesity]].<ref>[http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/obesity/DS00314/DSECTION=causes Causes of obesity]</ref> See also: [[Atheist nerds]]
 
Internet nerds are typically less active in sports. Also, atheists are not as active in sports as theists (See: [[Sports performance: Religious faith vs. atheism ]]).  And inactivity is a major risk factor for [[obesity]].<ref>[http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/obesity/DS00314/DSECTION=causes Causes of obesity]</ref> See also: [[Atheist nerds]]
Line 412: Line 348:
 
[[File:Alexa American Atheists.png|thumbnail|400px|center|In 2016, the [[American Atheists]] website saw a large drop in its [[Alexa]] ranking. ]]
 
[[File:Alexa American Atheists.png|thumbnail|400px|center|In 2016, the [[American Atheists]] website saw a large drop in its [[Alexa]] ranking. ]]
 
{{clear}}
 
{{clear}}
 
+
[[File:American Atheists alexa 9-4-2017.png|thumbnail|400px|center|According to Alexa, after taking a large loss in global market share in 2016, the American Atheists website gained back some of its global market share in 2017. According to Alexa, on September 4, 2017, the American Atheist website was the 481,326th most popular website in the world.]]
 +
{{clear}}
 
=== Embarrassing incidents concerning the website of the American Atheists ===
 
=== Embarrassing incidents concerning the website of the American Atheists ===
 
[[File:American Atheists.jpg|alt=American Atheists|thumbnail|205px|right|[[Nate Phelps]] spoke at the 2009 [[American Atheists]] convention.<ref>http://lifewithoutfaith.com/?p=183</ref> See also: [[American Atheists and obesity]] and [[Atheism and obesity]]
 
[[File:American Atheists.jpg|alt=American Atheists|thumbnail|205px|right|[[Nate Phelps]] spoke at the 2009 [[American Atheists]] convention.<ref>http://lifewithoutfaith.com/?p=183</ref> See also: [[American Atheists and obesity]] and [[Atheism and obesity]]
  
<small>(photo obtained from [http://www.flickr.com/photos/martystone/3435459032 Flickr], see [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en  license agreement]), Title: Nate Phelps AAC00 (a very brave man)</small> ]]
+
<small>(photo obtained from [https://www.flickr.com/photos/martystone/3435459032 Flickr], see [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en  license agreement]), Title: Nate Phelps AAC00 (a very brave man)</small> ]]
  
 
''See also:'' [[Embarrassing incidents concerning the website of the American Atheists]]
 
''See also:'' [[Embarrassing incidents concerning the website of the American Atheists]]
Line 425: Line 362:
 
On the video, he first did a Google search at Google USA for the word "atheism". The #1 search result for atheism was for the website of the [[American Atheists]] organization and they misspelled the words "separation" and "church" on the main page title tag for their website. The title of their website reads: "Supporting Civil Rights for Atheists and the Seperation of Curch and ...". Did the American Atheist organization's webmaster go to one of the many evolution indoctrinating public schools with a high drop out rate? It appears so!
 
On the video, he first did a Google search at Google USA for the word "atheism". The #1 search result for atheism was for the website of the [[American Atheists]] organization and they misspelled the words "separation" and "church" on the main page title tag for their website. The title of their website reads: "Supporting Civil Rights for Atheists and the Seperation of Curch and ...". Did the American Atheist organization's webmaster go to one of the many evolution indoctrinating public schools with a high drop out rate? It appears so!
  
Is it any wonder that the American Atheists organization has been silent concerning the [http://creation.com/15-questions 15 questions for evolutionists] of the [[Question Evolution! Campaign]]? Besides being poor spellers the American Atheists organization's staff is probably poor when it comes to science as well!<ref>[http://shockawenow.blogspot.com/2014/10/uneducated-and-illiterate-american.html Uneducated and illiterate American atheists]</ref>}}
+
Is it any wonder that the American Atheists organization has been silent concerning the [http://creation.com/15-questions 15 questions for evolutionists] of the [[Question Evolution! Campaign]]? Besides being poor spellers the American Atheists organization's staff is probably poor when it comes to science as well!<ref name="shockawenow.blogspot.com">[http://shockawenow.blogspot.com/2014/10/uneducated-and-illiterate-american.html Uneducated and illiterate American atheists]</ref>}}
  
 
On October 17, 2014, Shockofgod's blog declared:
 
On October 17, 2014, Shockofgod's blog declared:
Line 449: Line 386:
 
*3.  american atheists 8.97%
 
*3.  american atheists 8.97%
 
*4.  '''athiest 5.01%'''
 
*4.  '''athiest 5.01%'''
*5.  atheists 3.82%<ref>[http://shockawenow.blogspot.com/2014/10/uneducated-and-illiterate-american.html Uneducated and illiterate American atheists]</ref>}}
+
*5.  atheists 3.82%<ref name="shockawenow.blogspot.com">[http://shockawenow.blogspot.com/2014/10/uneducated-and-illiterate-american.html Uneducated and illiterate American atheists]</ref>}}
  
 
== Videos on atheism ==
 
== Videos on atheism ==
  
 
*[[Atheism videos]]
 
*[[Atheism videos]]
 +
 +
== Social media and social ostracism of atheists in religious societies ==
 +
 +
See: [[Social media and social ostracism of atheists]]
 +
 +
== See also ==
 +
 +
*[[Google trends - Atheism and agnosticism terms]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==

Revision as of 23:14, November 9, 2018

The article Internet atheism: The thrill is gone! points out that internet atheism has been in a significant slump since 2008.

In the early part of the 21st century, the atheist community was very active on the internet.[1] However, by 2008 there began a marked decline in internet atheism (see: Internet atheism web traffic volume).[2]

One of the reasons why some atheist participate in internet atheism is that offline participation in the atheist community is often difficult.[3]

In an essay entitled How the Atheist Movement Failed Me, an atheist woman noted that participation in the atheist community is often expensive due to the cost of attending atheist conferences and even local atheist meetings in restaurants and bars challenged her modest budget.[3] As a result of the challenges that atheists commonly have in terms of socializing in person, many atheists turn to the internet in terms of communicating with other atheists.

In addition, Conatus News indicates:

The overwhelming anti-atheist sentiment in society means most don’t feel comfortable outwardly proclaiming their lack of faith. So instead of congregating in a large building on Sunday, many atheists have found their own community online.

This societal stigma is certainly part of the reason atheists seem so drawn to internet interactions. Anonymity, or at least the safety of separation from those around you, provides the ability to truly speak one’s mind.[4]

As far as atheists engaging in non-internet related activities, Dr. J. Gordon Melton said about the atheist movement (organized atheism) that atheism is not a movement which tends to create community, but in the last few years there has been some growth of organized atheism.[5] See also: Atheism and apathy and Atheist factions and Atheism and loneliness

Contents

Internet atheism web traffic levels

See: Internet atheism web traffic volume

During the period of 2008 to 2012, the atheist community made a concerted effort to spread atheism through means of the internet. However, leading atheist websites saw plunges in web traffic during the latter period of this time.[2]

PZ Myers is one of the more active bloggers at Freethought Blogs.

In 2016, an article entitled 2015 was a terrible year for internet atheism featured Alexa web traffic graphs which indicated that some prominent atheist websites lost a significant portion of their global market share.[6] Since 2012, Freethought Blogs (a collection of atheist bloggers) saw a significant decline in its web traffic.[7]

An article entitled Internet atheism: The thrill is gone! declares:

In 2007, the Bible believer Chuck Norris noted that atheists were making a concerted effort to spread atheism via the internet. As you you will soon see via the graphs below, it has been an abysmal failure! The atheist community flooded the internet with a lot of shallow, ill-reasoned fluff that many in the public quickly dismissed.[8]

For more information see: Internet atheism - post 2007 market share loss

In 2007, WorldNetDaily featured a column by Chuck Norris concerning atheism and the internet which declared:

Atheists are making a concerted effort to win the youth of America and the world. Hundreds of websites and blogs on the Internet seek to convince and convert adolescents, endeavoring to remove any residue of theism from their minds and hearts by packaging atheism as the choice of a new generation. While you think your kids are innocently surfing the Web, secular progressives are intentionally preying on their innocence and naïveté.

What's preposterous is that atheists are now advertising and soliciting on websites particularly created for teens...[1]

Atheism internet outreach efforts, however, have been very ineffective.

Decline of YouTube atheism

See also: YouTube atheism

In December 2015, a video entitled What Killed YouTube Atheism? was released giving a number of reasons YouTube atheism saw a big decline (see: What Killed YouTube atheism?).

Atheist feminism related online schism

See also: Atheist factions and Atheists and antisocial behavior

The forerunner of the feminist Atheism plus movement was the online Elevatorgate controversy involving new atheist Richard Dawkins and feminist Rebecca Watson.

The Guardian wrote about Atheism plus and the reaction of many atheists on the internet:

In the passionate world of American atheism, the venom usually directed at believers has now been turned against the wrong kind of atheists...

It took 700 years from Constantine renaming Byzantium in his own honour to papal legates circulating letters of anathema that split the Roman and Orthodox churches. Atheism, in its public, online life, has started exchanging internet anathemas – perhaps we should call them inathemas – in little more than a decade.[9]

Post Elevatorgate and Atheism plus, the conflict between atheist feminism and anti-feminism atheists continues. Two of the most anti-feminism atheists are YouTube atheists Thunderf00t and TheAmazingAtheist.

Google trends data - searches of atheism and agnosticism terms

See: Google trends - Atheism and agnosticism terms

Percentage of atheists in the world is shrinking while world internet usage is expanding

See also: Global atheism and Decline of atheism and Atheist Population and Resources for leaving atheism and becoming a Christian

The internet is a global medium which growing rapidly in usage throughout the world.[10]

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.[11] See: Global atheism

The percentage of people in the world who are atheists is shrinking (see: Global atheism statistics).

On July 24, 2013, CNS News reported:

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."[11]

In 2011, the American Spectator citing research published in the International Bulletin of Missionary Research reported that atheism is on the decline as a whole in terms of adherents.[12]

The American Spectator declared:

The report estimates about 80,000 new Christians every day, 79,000 new Muslims every day, and 300 fewer atheists every day. These atheists are presumably disproportionately represented in the West, while religion is thriving in the Global South, where charismatic Christianity is exploding."[12]

Elevatorgate and Richard Dawkins' loss of online influence

See also: Elevatorgate and Richard Dawkins and social media and Atheist movement

Richard Dawkins is still widely criticized for causing embarrassment to his fellow atheists via his Elevatorgate controversy and for igniting deep fractures in the atheist movement.[13]

For example, on November 26, 2013, the atheist activist and blogger Jen McCreight posted at Twitter the message: "Did anyone on Dawkins AMA ask how he feels about singlehandedly destroying the atheist movement with the Dear Muslima yet?"[14] In December 2013, atheist Jack Vance at Atheist Revolution called July 2, 2011, which is the day that Elevatorgate occurred, "The day the atheist movement died."[15]

Graph showing Richard Dawkins' loss of influence post Elevatatorgate

See also: Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science website

As can be seen by the graph below, by means of embedded code on his website from Quantcast, Quantcast directly measured the web traffic of Richard Dawkins' website. Traffic to Dawkins website is significantly down post-Elevatorgate scandal.

Although his following of Dawkian atheist has significantly waned post-Elevatorgate and due to his generally abrasive manner, he does retain a small cult following (See: Richard Dawkins' loss of influence and Richard Dawkins' cult of personality and Atheist cults).

According to the web traffic tracking company Quantcast, the web traffic of Richard Dawkins' website fell in 2012.[16] By October 2014, the web traffic for his website fell to a lower level according to Quantcast.[17]



The web traffic was measured via Quantcast which directly measured Dawkins' website traffic via embedded code on his website.[18]

Recent web traffic according to Quantcast which directly measured Dawkins' website traffic

The above graph shows the monthly website traffic to Richard Dawkins' website as of June 22, 2015 in terms of unique monthly web visitors.[19] As you can see above, in 2012, Richard Dawkins saw a very large decrease in web traffic. The website traffic is measured via Quantcast which directly measures Dawkins' website traffic via embedded code on his website.[18]

Alexa ranking of Richard Dawkins' website

See also: Alexa rankings of Richard Dawkins' website

According to Alexa, Richard Dawkins website lost a large amount of its global market share during to period between 2010 and the beginning portion of 2012.
In 2015, Richard Dawkins' website fell in terms of its Alexa ranking.
In 2016, Richard Dawkins' website lost a considerable amount of global market share according to the web traffic tracking company Alexa.
In the latter half of 2016, Richard Dawkins' website saw a significant decline in its Alexa ranking.
In 2016 and the in the beginning portion of 2017, the global internet market share of Richard Dawkins' website has been falling according to the web traffic tracking company Alexa.
On November 27, 2017, Richard Dawkins' website was the 158,206th most popular website in the world.

His website was losing global market share in the latter quarter of 2017.
On November 9, 2018, Richard Dawkins' website was the 190,708th most popular website in the world according to Alexa.

Compared to 2017, Richard Dawkins' website lost global market share according to Alexa.

Google trends: Searches for the term Richard Dawkins has seen a large decline

See: Google trends: Searches for the term Richard Dawkins has seen a marked decline

Freethought Blogs

See also: Freethought Blogs and The Orbit

Freethought Blogs is a spinoff of ScienceBlogs launched by PZ Myers and Ed Brayton.

Alexa ranking of Freethought Blogs

In 2016, Freethought Blogs lost a considerable amount of global market share according to the web traffic tracking company Alexa.
Freethought Blogs is a spinoff of ScienceBlogs launched by PZ Myers and Ed Brayton. Alexa is a web traffic tracking company. In 2015 and 2016, Freethought blogs saw a large decrease in its Alexa ranking.
Freethought Blogs fell sharply in its Alexa ranking for much of the latter part of 2016
.
In May 2017, according to Alexa, Frrethoughtblogs continued to lose global market share.
According to Alexa, on September 4, 2017, Freethought Blogs was the 71,540th most popular website in the world.
According to Alexa, on November 27, 2017, Freethoughtblogs was the 78,627th most popular website in the world.

Freethought Blogs appear to receive significantly less traffic from women

See also: Atheism and women

The website Freethought Blogs has significantly less women visiting their website than men according to the web traffic tracking company Quantcast.[20] According to the website tracking firm Quantcast, women frequent Richard Dawkins' website significantly less than men.[21]

Decline of global market share of Skepchick website

See also: Skepchick and Atheist feminism

According to the website traffic tracking company Alexa, the Skepchick website saw a large decrease in its global market share from October 2015 to September 2016.
According to Alexa, the Skepchick website continued to lose global market share in the latter part of 2016.
According to Alexa, on September 4, 2017, the Skepchick website was the 448,390th most popular website in the world in terms of its web traffic.
According to Alexa, on October 27, 2017, the Skepchick website was the 587,446th most popular website in the world in terms of its web traffic.

The Orbit

See also: The Orbit

In 2016, The Orbit website lost a considerable amount of its global market share according to the web traffic tracking company Alexa. On September 4, 2017 it was the 357,369th most popular website in the world according to Alexa.

The atheist blogger Hemant Mehta reported about the atheist blog network The Orbit:

Nearly two dozen atheist bloggers — many from Freethought Blogs, along with a few others from Patheos, Skepchick, and independent sites — are about to launch a new website called The Orbit. (The site isn’t functional just yet, but it should come online soon.)

According to a now-deleted post, though the same information has been hinted at in several other places, the collective will be focused on atheism and social justice.

Interestingly enough, PZ Myers is not on the list of those moving. He’ll remain at Freethought Blogs, where he’s been recruiting new bloggers to the site over the past month.

I’m speculating here, but I suspect at least some of the Orbit writers are heading to the new site in part to get out from under his shadow and away from his burn-all-bridges. Maybe I’m wrong.[22]

Reddit atheism

See also: Reddit atheism

Reddit atheism, also known as r/atheism, is one of the largest internet groups of atheists.[23]

In 2013 Reddit atheism lost its main page status

In 2013 it suffered a major setback as it lost its status as a default subreddit (default subreddits are the forums that all non-logged in users see when they visit the site. In other words, the atheism subreddit was removed from its homepage).[24]

In 2016, due to Reddit removing inactive "ghost accounts", Reddit reduced the amount of members in Reddit atheism by 10,000 user accounts.[25]

Reddit atheism has a bad reputation

A June 14, 2013 Mashable article declared: "In recent years, r/atheism has become known for memes, images, quote pictures and other content viewed by some as "low brow."[23]

According to the website Motherboard.com, "The term “reddit atheist” has evolved as a shorthand in recent years for a negative internet cliché, that of the rabid Richard Dawkins supporter, the mansplainer..." [25]

Historically, the atheist population has often used mockery as a substitution for reasonable discussion/debate and Reddit atheism is a continuation of this tradition (see: Atheism and mockery).

Reddit atheism and their reluctance to engage in offline atheist activism

See also: Atheism and cowardice and Evidence for Christianity

In May 2013, Policymic published an article on Reddit atheism which indicated that Reddit atheists are reluctant to share their atheism offline.[26]

The Policymic article declared:

Are we to make cowards out of Reddit’s atheists for the discrepancy between the prevalence of real life and internet proclamations of godlessness? Maybe, as the world’s loudest atheist, Richard Dawkins, first bemoaned in his TED talk, “Atheists do not want to be impolite … Can we stop being so damned polite?” Or, as R/atheist stalwart with the username “blackstar9000” explained in a very thoughtful post on the state of the atheist subreddit, “Many of the users are just recently converted, who fear being ostracized by people the religious people who make up their support system.”[26]

Atheists have a reputation for apathy and cowardice when it comes to sharing their atheism with others and defending atheism against valid criticism (See: Atheism and apathy and Atheism and cowardice).

YouTube atheism/evolutionism

See also: YouTube atheism

Chuck Norris endorses the Total Gym exercise system.[27]

In 2007, WorldNetDaily featured a column by the Christian Chuck Norris which declared:

Atheists are making a concerted effort to win the youth of America and the world. Hundreds of websites and blogs on the Internet seek to convince and convert adolescents, endeavoring to remove any residue of theism from their minds and hearts by packaging atheism as the choice of a new generation. While you think your kids are innocently surfing the Web, secular progressives are intentionally preying on their innocence and naivete.

What's preposterous is that atheists are now advertising and soliciting on websites particularly created for teens.

YouTube, the most popular video site on the Net for young people, is one of their primary avenues for passing off their secularist propaganda.[1]

Atheism internet outreach efforts, however, have been ineffective.

In October 2016, a video entitled What Killed YouTube Atheism? was released which gave a few reasons why YouTube atheism saw a big decline.[28]

In addition, a December 2015 video entitled How Feminism destroyed 'New Atheism', YouTube atheist/evolutionist Thunderf00t pointed out that merely 2 out of 7 YouTube atheist/evolutionist channels that he plugged in the past are now active.[29]

Atheist PZ Myers says atheists are largely a population of internet nerds and geeks

See also: Atheism and marriage and Atheism and women

In 2013, the atheist PZ Myers declared:

If we're going to expand our base and we're going to draw in more people to recognize the virtues of living in a secular world, we need to appeal to more than just that geek and nerd subset of the population. We need to have a wider base. ...I seriously believe that we're on the cusp of a crisis. We're not there yet but it's looming in front of us. Will we adapt and thrive and change the world? Or will we remain an avocation for a prosperous and largely irrelevant subset of the population? Will we become something more than a scattered society of internet nerds? That's what we have to do.[30]

In response, Evolution News and Views wrote:

A crisis looms, in Myers's view, because he looks around himself and sees a not very promising basis for a mass movement. He's right. There is indeed a quality of geeky isolation from reality, common sense, and the fullness of life that I see as a motif in atheist and Darwin activism alike.[30]

Christian websites with a large focus on the topic of atheism

TFT.JPG

Four of the more notable defense of Christianity websites which have a large focus on the topic of atheism are: Shadow To Light blog, True Freethinker, the Creation Ministries International resources on atheism and the Fixed Point Foundation website.

YouTube atheist TheAmazingAtheist on rape

When told that Red Army soldiers sexually assaulted German refugees, Joseph Stalin reportedly declared: "We lecture our soldiers too much; let them have their initiative."[31] See: Atheism and rape

See also: Atheism and rape and Atheism and women and Elevatorgate

TheAmazingAtheist is YouTube's most subscribed to YouTube channel produced by an atheist and as of February 2012 it had over 280,000 subscribers. In 2012, he viciously told a rape victim "you deserved it" and told her that her rapist "deserved a medal". He also told her that she should try to relive the rape in her mind.

Christian apologist Marian Grinbank wrote concerning TheAmazingAtheist's comments directed towards a rape victim:

A frightening consideration is that it may very well be this personage’s worldview which leads him to such depths of malice...

He also told another woman:

"You’re lucky it wasn’t me. I’d have busted your ******* nose and raped you."

And has also offered a graphic descriptions of how he would rape a rape victim again.

This is in keeping with his modis operandi which, sadly, is a manner whereby some people get and keep a lot of attention. Of course, it is pathetic that some people are so very desperate for attention that they seek it regardless of whether it is good, bad or ugly.

This particular Atheist is the organizer of a group, aptly, called The Atheist Scum United and refers to himself as “God of the Godless,” “subhuman,” and “scumbag.” Could not have said it better ourselves.

But the belligerence does not stop at his victimization of rape victims but he also takes aim at the dead. He has referred to people who committed suicide due to bullying as having been "weak."

What such a person needs, truly needs, is love and prayer because they are obviously hurting very, very badly.[32]

Atheism websites and polyamory

The atheist Richard Carrier divorced his wife and now practices polyamory.[33] Before divorcing his wife, he was involved in adulterous affairs.[33]

See also: Internet atheism and polyamory

Polyamory is a general term to denote relationships involving a group of men and women. In polyamorous relationships, often one man is “dating” several women and each of the women is in turn dating several men.[34]

Polyskeptic.com and polyamory

The website Polyskeptic.com has an Alexa traffic rank of 2,276,133 as of June 14, 2012.[35]

Atheist Nexus and polyamory

The website Atheist Nexus bills itself as "The World’s Largest Coalition of Nontheists and Nontheist Communities."[36] As of June 14, 2012, the website Atheist Nexus had an entire group devoted to polyamory.[37]

Wikipedia on polyamory

The website Wikipedia was co-founded by the atheist Jimmy Wales and the agnostic Larry Sanger. Wikipedia has a pro-atheism/evolution slant.

For example, the current Wikipedia article on atheism is very flattering to atheism. As of June 14, 2012 the Wikipedia atheism article does not explicitly mention the tens of millions who died under atheist communist regimes although it does allude to it. Dr. R. J. Rummel, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Hawaii, is the scholar who first coined the term "democide" (death by government). Dr. R. J. Rummel's mid estimate regarding the loss of life due to communism is that communism caused the death of approximately 110,286,000 people between 1917 and 1987.[38] Starting on February 20, 2007, Wikipedia had a hotly-debated article on militant atheism that was deleted on February 18, 2012.[39][40]

As of June 14, 2012 Wikipedia had this flattering description of polyamory:

Polyamory, often abbreviated as poly, is often described as consensual, ethical, or responsible non-monogamy. The word is sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to sexual or romantic relationships that are not sexually exclusive, though there is disagreement on how broadly it applies; an emphasis on ethics, honesty, and transparency all around is widely regarded as the crucial defining characteristic.[41]


See also: Atheism, polyamory and other immoral relationships

Internet atheism and profanity

See: Atheism and profanity

Internet atheism and quarrelsome atheists

See also: Atheist factions

In 2010, the Christian apologetics website True Free Thinker wrote:

Scienceblogger Chad Orzel described the commentators on PZ Myers ' Scienceblogs.com site Pharyngula, and other Scienceblogs.com commentators, as "screechy monkeys."[42]

Richard Dawkins' battle with online fans

See also: Atheism and profanity

In February 2010, the news organization The Telegraph reported Richard Dawkins was "embroiled in a bitter online battle over plans to rid his popular internet forum for atheists of foul language, insults and 'frivolous gossip'."[43] Given that Wired Magazine and Vox Day declared for various reasons that atheists tend to be quarrelsome, socially challenged men, it is not surprising the online dispute was bitter. In addition, Richard Dawkins has a reputation for being abrasive.

Internet atheism and obesity

The 20% of overweight people who are able to achieve permanent weight loss typically report doing it through engaging in high levels of physical activity, eating a low-calorie, low-fat diet, eating breakfast regularly, self-monitoring weight, and maintaining a consistent eating pattern across weekdays and weekends.[44] Overweight individuals may need to decrease their computer and internet usage.[45]

See also: Atheism and obesity and Bariatric science

A significant portion of the world's atheists are overweight (see: Atheism and obesity).

In an essay entitled How the Atheist Movement Failed Me, an atheist woman noted that participation in the atheist community is often expensive due to the cost of attending atheist conferences and even local atheist meetings in restaurants and bars challenged her modest budget.[3] As a result of the challenges that atheists commonly have in terms of socializing in person, many atheists turn to the internet in terms of communicating with other atheists.[46]

In 2009, an Australian university study was done concerning the association between leisure time internet and computer use with being overweight and/or obese and also sedentary.[45] The study concluded: "These findings suggest that, apart from nutritional and physical activity interventions, it may also be necessary to decrease time spent in sedentary behaviors, such as leisure-time Internet and computer use, in order to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity."[45] See also: Bariatric science

As noted above, in 2013, the prominent atheist PZ Myers declared:

If we're going to expand our base and we're going to draw in more people to recognize the virtues of living in a secular world, we need to appeal to more than just that geek and nerd subset of the population. We need to have a wider base. ...I seriously believe that we're on the cusp of a crisis. We're not there yet but it's looming in front of us. Will we adapt and thrive and change the world? Or will we remain an avocation for a prosperous and largely irrelevant subset of the population? Will we become something more than a scattered society of internet nerds? That's what we have to do.[30]

Internet nerds are typically less active in sports. Also, atheists are not as active in sports as theists (See: Sports performance: Religious faith vs. atheism ). And inactivity is a major risk factor for obesity.[47] See also: Atheist nerds

American Atheists website

See also: American Atheists

In 2016, the American Atheists website saw a large drop in its Alexa ranking.
According to Alexa, after taking a large loss in global market share in 2016, the American Atheists website gained back some of its global market share in 2017. According to Alexa, on September 4, 2017, the American Atheist website was the 481,326th most popular website in the world.

Embarrassing incidents concerning the website of the American Atheists

American Atheists
Nate Phelps spoke at the 2009 American Atheists convention.[48] See also: American Atheists and obesity and Atheism and obesity (photo obtained from Flickr, see license agreement), Title: Nate Phelps AAC00 (a very brave man)

See also: Embarrassing incidents concerning the website of the American Atheists

A Question evolution! campaign blog declares:

The popular Christian YouTube video creator Shockofgod just released a hilarious video entitled Proof atheism & evolution are stupid.

On the video, he first did a Google search at Google USA for the word "atheism". The #1 search result for atheism was for the website of the American Atheists organization and they misspelled the words "separation" and "church" on the main page title tag for their website. The title of their website reads: "Supporting Civil Rights for Atheists and the Seperation of Curch and ...". Did the American Atheist organization's webmaster go to one of the many evolution indoctrinating public schools with a high drop out rate? It appears so!

Is it any wonder that the American Atheists organization has been silent concerning the 15 questions for evolutionists of the Question Evolution! Campaign? Besides being poor spellers the American Atheists organization's staff is probably poor when it comes to science as well![49]

On October 17, 2014, Shockofgod's blog declared:

In the United States, due to more women and southerners attending college/universities, atheism is now negatively correlated with education.

As a result, American atheists contribute some of the most ill-informed/uneducated commentary on the internet.

Alexa is a popular web traffic tracking company. Below is a portion of Alexa's site overview for the website of the American Atheists organization and notice that 5.01% of their search engine traffic comes from the keyword "athiest" which is a misspelling of the world atheist.

From the Alexa website on October 17, 2014:

Site Overview

atheists.org

Top Keywords from Search Engines Which search keywords send traffic to this site?

Keyword Percent of Search Traffic

  • 1. atheist 52.97%
  • 2. atheism 14.80%
  • 3. american atheists 8.97%
  • 4. athiest 5.01%
  • 5. atheists 3.82%[49]

Videos on atheism

Social media and social ostracism of atheists in religious societies

See: Social media and social ostracism of atheists

See also

External links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55789
  2. 2.0 2.1 Internet atheism: The thrill is gone!
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 How the Atheist Movement Failed Me – Part 1: Cost
  4. Atheists Online: -How Atheists Grew An Active Internet Community, Conatus News
  5. Baylor ISR- J. Gordon Melton - End of Religion? (May 5, 2015)
  6. 2015 was a terrible year for internet atheism
  7. Freethoughtblog.com uses Quantcast to measure their web traffic and the demograghhics of their web visitors - Click to see report
  8. Internet atheism and skepticism: The thrill is gone!
  9. Is American atheism heading for a schism? by Peter McGrath, The Guardian
  10. http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm
  11. 11.0 11.1 Global Study: Atheists in Decline, Only 1.8% of World Population by 2020
  12. 12.0 12.1 http://spectator.org/archives/2011/02/28/thriving-christianity
  13. Jennifer McCreight on the Twitter about the Elevatorgate scandal
  14. The Day the Atheist Movement Died by Jack Vance at Atheist Revolution
  15. 2012 has been a very BAD year for Richard Dawkins's website according to Quantcast
  16. Richard Dawkins' loss of influence
  17. 18.0 18.1 Quantcast - Quantcast Measure
  18. Web traffic of Richard Dawkins' main website
  19. Multiple references:
  20. Quantcast data - Richarddawkins.net - demographics
  21. reputation Several Atheist Bloggers Are Moving to “The Orbit” by Hemant Mehta
  22. 23.0 23.1 Reddit Atheists Have New Leadership After Turbulent Coup
  23. Reddit dumps r/atheism and r/politics from its default homepage
  24. 25.0 25.1 Reddit Rapture: How r/atheism Suddenly Lost 10,000 Users
  25. 26.0 26.1 Reddit Users: Why Atheist Redditors Are Stuck On the Internet
  26. http://www.totalgymdirect.com/
  27. What Killed YouTube Atheism?
  28. How Feminism destroyed 'New Atheism'
  29. 30.0 30.1 30.2 in Seattle, PZ Myers Reflects Candidly on His Constituency
  30. Roberts, Andrew. "Stalin's army of rapists: The brutal war crime that Russia and Germany tried to ignore", Daily Mail, 24 October 2008. 
  31. Atheist victimizes rape victim
  32. 33.0 33.1 Coming Out Poly + A Change of Life Venue
  33. Atheist leaders and immoral relationships
  34. Atheist leaders and immoral relationships
  35. Atheist leaders and immoral relationships
  36. Atheist leaders and immoral relationships
  37. Atheist leaders and immoral relationships
  38. Atheist leaders and immoral relationships
  39. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Militant_atheism&action=history
  40. Atheist leaders and immoral relationships
  41. http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/pz-myers-and-pavlovs-monkeys
  42. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7322177/Richard-Dawkins-in-bitter-web-censorship-row-with-fellow-atheists.html
  43. Long-term weight loss maintenance, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2005 July; 82(1 Suppl):222S-225S.
  44. 45.0 45.1 45.2 http://www.jmir.org/2009/3/e28/
  45. How to outlaw Christianity by Chuck Norris
  46. Causes of obesity
  47. http://lifewithoutfaith.com/?p=183
  48. 49.0 49.1 Uneducated and illiterate American atheists