Yes, there are a lot of polls out there . . . I notice that the numbers do not match between quite a few of them. That's normal. And I only have a moment, so I can't find my sources - Washington Post? Pew Research? Telegraph? . . . but it is generally accepted that in the industrialized world, the people claiming "no religious affiliation" is growing rapidly. I saw quite a few polls that said that Christianity is growing in parts of China and Africa. Islam is growing faster than any other religion.
I read SOMEWHERE (I can go find the source later) that there are two predictors for the growth of religiosity: 1) Economic hardship. -- When you're struggling to put food on the table, get clean water, etc., a religious community helps survival, gives emotional support, and most importantly, gives that hope that a deity will help soon - - or will send them to a place of feasting and streets of gold after they die. And 2) Lack of education.
Religion was banned in China for . . . how long? So to many, the message might be exotic and new. But the Chinese place a high value on education - and their economy is rising - not without some recent hiccups, but improving. So I doubt that China will be predominantly xtian - ever.
I read SOMEWHERE (I can go find the source later) that there are two predictors for the growth of religiosity: 1) Economic hardship. -- When you're struggling to put food on the table, get clean water, etc., a religious community helps survival, gives emotional support, and most importantly, gives that hope that a deity will help soon - - or will send them to a place of feasting and streets of gold after they die. And 2) Lack of education.
Religion was banned in China for . . . how long? So to many, the message might be exotic and new. But the Chinese place a high value on education - and their economy is rising - not without some recent hiccups, but improving. So I doubt that China will be predominantly xtian - ever.
"The family that prays together...is brainwashing their children."- Albert Einstein
