Decline of atheism

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Global atheism is in decline in terms of the number of its adherents and the grassroots Question evolution! campaign could certainly accelerate this decline.[1] Also, the article Will American atheism be cut by at least 50%? cites 10 major obstacles facing American atheism.

Global atheism is in decline in terms of the number of its adherents and the grassroots Question evolution! campaign by Creation Ministries International could certainly accelerate this decline.[2]

In 2012, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (GCTS) reported that globally every day there are 800 less atheists per day, 1,100 less non-religious (agnostic) people per day and 83,000 more people professing to be Christians per day.[3][4]

In 2011, the American Spectator declared concerning research published in the International Bulletin of Missionary Research:

“ 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."[5] ”

Contents

Decline of atheism in terms of global adherents is expected to accelerate

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

Eric Kaufmann, a professor at Birkbeck, University of London, using a wealth of demographic studies argues the decline of atheism in terms of its global adherents is an established trend that will persist for the foreseeable future and the rate of decline will accelerate.[6][7][8][9] In addition, Kaufmann argues that religious conservatism has a long term trend of rising and that their influence in the world will significantly increase.[10] Kaufmann is author of the book Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?.[11][12] In the Western World due to immigration and the higher birth rates of religious people, Kaufman writes: "Committed religious populations are growing in the West, and will reverse the march of secularism before 2050."[13]

In addition, currently the Western World population is aging in terms of its demographic makeup, particularly in secular Europe, and it has been found that belief in God grows as a person's death nears.[14][15]

For more information please see: Atheist population

Decline of American 1990s secularism

See also: Decline of American 1990s secularism

In 2008, the American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) reported:

“ The 1990s was the decade when the “secular boom” occurred – each year 1.3 million more adult Americans joined the ranks of the Nones. Since 2001 the annual increase has halved to 660,000 a year...

Regarding belief in the divine, most Nones are neither atheists nor theists but rather agnostics and deists (59%) and perhaps best described as skeptics.[16]

”

Demographics and the expected further decline of American secularism

See also: American atheism and American Atheists

The Birkbeck College, University of London professor Eric Kaufman wrote in his 2010 book Shall the Righteous Inherit the Earth? concerning America:

“ High evangelical fertility rates more than compensated for losses to liberal Protestant sects during the twentieth century. In recent decades, white secularism has surged, but Latino and Asian religious immigration has taken up the slack, keeping secularism at bay. Across denominations, the fertility advantage of religious fundamentalists of all colours is significant and growing. After 2020, their demographic weight will begin to tip the balance in the culture wars towards the conservative side, ramping up pressure on hot-button issues such as abortion. By the end of the century, three quarters of America may be pro-life. Their activism will leap over the borders of the 'Redeemer Nation' to evangelize the world. Already, the rise of the World Congress of Families has launched a global religious right, its arms stretching across the bloody lines of the War on Terror to embrace the entire Abrahamic family.[17] ”

Inability of atheism to unite

A likely factor in the decline of atheism around the world is the inability of most atheists to keep together for a uniform belief. While there are differences within other religions, such as Christianity, other religions' adherents all share a common belief. In the case of Christianity, this is recognition of the divine presence of Jesus Christ. However, atheists are unable to even create a coherent definition of their beliefs [18].

Question evolution! campaign

See also: Question evolution! campaign and Atheists doubting the validity of atheism

Since World War II a majority of the most prominent and vocal defenders of the theory of evolution which employs methodological naturalism have been atheists.[19] In 2011, a campaign called the Question evolution! campaign was launched by the biblical creation organization Creation Ministries International which is a worldwide "grass-roots movement to challenge the anti-Christian dogma of evolution".[20] The focus of the Question evolution! campaign is on "15 questions that evolutionists cannot satisfactorily answer."[21] The 15 questions posed to evolutionists (and undecided individuals) can be found HERE The campaign will be primarily conducted in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and South Africa.[22]

See also

Essays:

External links

Notes

  1. ↑
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ Globally the worldviews of atheism and non-religious (agnostic) are declining while global Christianity is exploding in adherents
  4. ↑ Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary - Status of Global Missions
  5. ↑ Thriving Christianity
  6. ↑ 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
  7. ↑ Eric Kaufmann: Shall The Religious Inherit The Earth?
  8. ↑ Eric Kaufmann's Atheist Demographic series
  9. ↑ Eric Kaufmann: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
  10. ↑ [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]
  11. ↑ Shall the religious inherit the earth by David Kaufmann
  12. ↑ Early paper - 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
  13. ↑ Early paper - 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
  14. ↑ Belief in God grows as mortality nears, survey says
  15. ↑ [http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2008/03/the-demographic-winter-and-the The Demographic Winter and the Barren Left
  16. ↑ Press: Americans Who Don’t Identify with a Religion No Longer a Fringe Group
  17. ↑ Why are 2012 and 2020 key years for Christian creationists and pro-lifers?
  18. ↑ http://atheism.about.com/od/definitionofatheism/Definition_of_Atheism_Dictionaries_Atheists_Others_Define_Atheism.htm
  19. ↑
  20. ↑ Question evolution! campaign
  21. ↑ Question evolution! campaign
  22. ↑ http://creation.com/question-evolution
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