Less is not more
If the data is misleading which I believe it is then it can serve the purpose
of propaganda irrespectively of who conducted the poll.
On the surface it seems believable for China to boost the largest proportion
of atheists in its demographics given that it is officially an atheistic communist
state. But I found a number as high as 47% improbable in light of its cultural
history.
Unlike the Christian west and many other ex-communist states the traditional
religious beliefs of the Chinese were not rooted in the influence/indoctrination of
organized religions. Belief in the spirit of ancestors, of the dead and belief inand
respect of the spirtitual force of heaven and earth were deeply ingrained in the
Chinese culture throught pretty much its entire history. Supernatural elements
are ubiquitous in classic Chinese literature (such as Romance of the three
kingdoms). Atheism was unheard of from eminent Chinese philosophers. Teaching
of Confucius did not reject gods. Lao Tzu was deified and worshipped. It is
true that the communists persecuted religion fervently. But the Chinese was
never receptive to organized religion anyway. In fact there was a history of
hostility towards Christian missionaries from the time when Christian faith was
introduced to the Chinese peasants near the end of imperial China.
As China is catching up with the western world some of its traditions
like the ritual of bowing to the heaven in a wedding ceremony are rarely
in practice. But there is no evidence pointing to that being a result of
a drift towards atheism rather than progress of modernization.
Personally I see a rise of atheism as a good sign. For progress of civilization
to run its course humanity eventually has to relinquish its childish belief
of them living under the watch of some unknown being in the sky, a remnant
of ancient superstition in my view. I just think it is too good to be true to find that
kind of enlightment to be the result of living under a government known
for its oppression of the freedom of speech and religion.
I tend to agree with you about the
possibility of the results from China, could be misleading with regards to atheists numbers.
But the point I have been trying to make, is to a certain some one who doesn't understand the difference between "totals" and "percentage".
The numbers that I have been quoting, coming out of North America and Europe, including STATS CAN showing a decrease from 91 thru 2011 of 83% down to 67%, are totally believable, and just common sense.
Religiosity, as a
PERCENTAGE of population, is on the decrease in these two regions, even with the influx of Muslim immigrants to Europe.
Whether or not the decrease is due to an increase in Atheists or the NON RELIGIOUS or both numbers,...the end result is still the same, Religiosity is on the decrease,...its just that simple.
Hey ARTMAN,…thanks for the beautiful women,…if there was a god,…it most assuredly must be male !!!
FAST
