RE: Christian and Atheism Worldwide Demographics: Current Realities and Future Trends.
July 8, 2023 at 7:38 am
(This post was last modified: July 8, 2023 at 7:39 am by Nishant Xavier.)
I see this thread has been bumped. Ok.
Which part didn't add up, no one? That Religious Believers are the near 90% Super-Majority on the Planet? That Pure Atheism, per some studies, is relegated to 5% of the Planet or less? That those who believe in Abrahamic Monotheism (Christians, Jews, Muslims) amount to nearly 60% of the World's Population? That there will soon be more Christians in Communist China than even America! That there are 700 MN Christians in Africa already!! Lol. Poor Atheists. After 1.5 Centuries of Militant Atheism, starting with Marx, this is the result.
Here's the source again on Christians in China: "The number of Christians in Communist China is growing so steadily that it by 2030 it could have more churchgoers than America ... It is said to be China's biggest church and on Easter Sunday thousands of worshippers will flock to this Asian mega-temple to pledge their allegiance – not to the Communist Party, but to the Cross." (Telegraph, 19 Apr. 2014)
You know, Western Atheists often speak of the alleged and inevitable decline of Christianity, e.g. in some parts of Europe, so these things are worth mentioning. More below in response to Bucky:
Bucky, interesting you mention Islam. Richard Dawkins, hardly a lover of Christianity, nonetheless admitted Christianity might be protecting the world from worse things, like Militant Islamism (as opposed to moderate Muslims, though). Here it is: "According to several articles now circulating, Richard Dawkins says he has mixed feelings about the decline of Christianity, "in so far as Christianity might be a bulwark against something worse." Though the quote originally appeared in a 2010 article, the significance remains, especially with the rise of the Islamic state and radical Islamic terror. Within this week alone, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for attacks in Indonesia, Turkey and Afghanistan." (Charisma News, 14 Jan. 2016). Dawkins still disagrees with Christianity, of course, but considers Radical Islamism far worse than Chrisitanity.
Dawkins is right, the Religion of Christ and the Religion of Mohammed, though there are some similarities like common belief in the God of Abraham, aren't the same thing; for e.g. Mohammed's example/teaching on polygamy, sex slavery and concubinage is very, very different from that of Christ's example and teaching to say the least. Recently, I saw a video of an ISIS leader who came to Christ. Modern Western Atheism, nor Liberal Secularism, has NO chance whatsoever of stopping Radical Islamism. Christianity will, and will have pleasant dialogues with moderate Muslims.
As for projections of future demography, Islam will grow, yes, but in absolute terms, Christianity will continue to lead: The Status of Global Christianity 2023 report projects that, by 2050, there will be 3.35 BN Christians, and around 2.8 BN Muslims, if current trends continue. Those who think Christianity is in global decline are confusing their Euro-centric perspective with what's happening in, for e.g. parts of the Global South.
Angrboda, and as I mentioned, large parts of the Hindu and Muslim world, not to mention that part of the world that still adheres to tenets of Communist Ideology, including much of China and North Korea, don't give full religious freedom to Christians, in the same way that almost all Christian and Christian-majority countries today give full religious freedom to Hindus and Muslims, not to mention Atheists and Communists. I posted the stat that there are some 360 MN Christians suffering Religious Persecution, 75% of all religious persecution, in Communist-majority, Hindu-majority and Islamic-majority countries alike. It's unfortunate that they suffer, but they continue to be faithful to Christ. Those who are persecuting Christians are doing something wrong, and will have to account to God for it on Judgment Day, but Christians who continue faithful to Christ, even amidst severe persecution, testify with their life and their blood that Christ and Religion are worth living and dying for, contra Marx, Nietzche et al. Of course, there are many wonderful Hindus, Muslims, and even some peaceful Communists; that's not the issue. The issue is the Extreme Ideologies that lead to 360 MN+ Christians and other religious people suffering, to whom much of the world is sadly indifferent. All religious persecution is bad and should be completely outlawed in the modern world, as thankfully most developed countries have done.
Lastly, I want to address GN's claim: that, like self-indulgence in eating may be tempting, and self-restraint harder, so allegedly Religion may be easier than Atheism. If anything, we could turn around the objection. Religion requires Good Works and abstinence from sin; as for Atheism, who knows what it requires or doesn't require, other than non-belief in God, so far as good works and sins/evil are concerned - you tell me, GN.
But, the thing here is: Europeans, Africans, Asians all know this equally, that excessive gluttony etc is wrong, and exercise is necessary. That's why we all exercise, or at least know that we should. But the proportion of Atheists in much of Africa (2%), in Latin America (4%), Middle East and North Africa (less than 1%) is very different from those in parts of Europe and regions of China still under Communist influence; it's obvious Atheism has very limited appeal, to very limited demographics, and only in those cultural contexts where Militant Atheism (of Europeans like Marx and Nietzche etc, whose false ideas are now taking their toll, and whose ideas also spread to Communist countries) has had influence, and where parties like the Communist CCP encourage Atheism/persecute Christians and Muslims, and other religious people. Even there, Christianity grows.
God Bless,
Xavier.
Which part didn't add up, no one? That Religious Believers are the near 90% Super-Majority on the Planet? That Pure Atheism, per some studies, is relegated to 5% of the Planet or less? That those who believe in Abrahamic Monotheism (Christians, Jews, Muslims) amount to nearly 60% of the World's Population? That there will soon be more Christians in Communist China than even America! That there are 700 MN Christians in Africa already!! Lol. Poor Atheists. After 1.5 Centuries of Militant Atheism, starting with Marx, this is the result.
Here's the source again on Christians in China: "The number of Christians in Communist China is growing so steadily that it by 2030 it could have more churchgoers than America ... It is said to be China's biggest church and on Easter Sunday thousands of worshippers will flock to this Asian mega-temple to pledge their allegiance – not to the Communist Party, but to the Cross." (Telegraph, 19 Apr. 2014)
You know, Western Atheists often speak of the alleged and inevitable decline of Christianity, e.g. in some parts of Europe, so these things are worth mentioning. More below in response to Bucky:
Bucky, interesting you mention Islam. Richard Dawkins, hardly a lover of Christianity, nonetheless admitted Christianity might be protecting the world from worse things, like Militant Islamism (as opposed to moderate Muslims, though). Here it is: "According to several articles now circulating, Richard Dawkins says he has mixed feelings about the decline of Christianity, "in so far as Christianity might be a bulwark against something worse." Though the quote originally appeared in a 2010 article, the significance remains, especially with the rise of the Islamic state and radical Islamic terror. Within this week alone, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for attacks in Indonesia, Turkey and Afghanistan." (Charisma News, 14 Jan. 2016). Dawkins still disagrees with Christianity, of course, but considers Radical Islamism far worse than Chrisitanity.
Dawkins is right, the Religion of Christ and the Religion of Mohammed, though there are some similarities like common belief in the God of Abraham, aren't the same thing; for e.g. Mohammed's example/teaching on polygamy, sex slavery and concubinage is very, very different from that of Christ's example and teaching to say the least. Recently, I saw a video of an ISIS leader who came to Christ. Modern Western Atheism, nor Liberal Secularism, has NO chance whatsoever of stopping Radical Islamism. Christianity will, and will have pleasant dialogues with moderate Muslims.
As for projections of future demography, Islam will grow, yes, but in absolute terms, Christianity will continue to lead: The Status of Global Christianity 2023 report projects that, by 2050, there will be 3.35 BN Christians, and around 2.8 BN Muslims, if current trends continue. Those who think Christianity is in global decline are confusing their Euro-centric perspective with what's happening in, for e.g. parts of the Global South.
Angrboda, and as I mentioned, large parts of the Hindu and Muslim world, not to mention that part of the world that still adheres to tenets of Communist Ideology, including much of China and North Korea, don't give full religious freedom to Christians, in the same way that almost all Christian and Christian-majority countries today give full religious freedom to Hindus and Muslims, not to mention Atheists and Communists. I posted the stat that there are some 360 MN Christians suffering Religious Persecution, 75% of all religious persecution, in Communist-majority, Hindu-majority and Islamic-majority countries alike. It's unfortunate that they suffer, but they continue to be faithful to Christ. Those who are persecuting Christians are doing something wrong, and will have to account to God for it on Judgment Day, but Christians who continue faithful to Christ, even amidst severe persecution, testify with their life and their blood that Christ and Religion are worth living and dying for, contra Marx, Nietzche et al. Of course, there are many wonderful Hindus, Muslims, and even some peaceful Communists; that's not the issue. The issue is the Extreme Ideologies that lead to 360 MN+ Christians and other religious people suffering, to whom much of the world is sadly indifferent. All religious persecution is bad and should be completely outlawed in the modern world, as thankfully most developed countries have done.
Lastly, I want to address GN's claim: that, like self-indulgence in eating may be tempting, and self-restraint harder, so allegedly Religion may be easier than Atheism. If anything, we could turn around the objection. Religion requires Good Works and abstinence from sin; as for Atheism, who knows what it requires or doesn't require, other than non-belief in God, so far as good works and sins/evil are concerned - you tell me, GN.
But, the thing here is: Europeans, Africans, Asians all know this equally, that excessive gluttony etc is wrong, and exercise is necessary. That's why we all exercise, or at least know that we should. But the proportion of Atheists in much of Africa (2%), in Latin America (4%), Middle East and North Africa (less than 1%) is very different from those in parts of Europe and regions of China still under Communist influence; it's obvious Atheism has very limited appeal, to very limited demographics, and only in those cultural contexts where Militant Atheism (of Europeans like Marx and Nietzche etc, whose false ideas are now taking their toll, and whose ideas also spread to Communist countries) has had influence, and where parties like the Communist CCP encourage Atheism/persecute Christians and Muslims, and other religious people. Even there, Christianity grows.
God Bless,
Xavier.
