This is a PEW research study on the future of religion. It's from 2015 and covers 2010 to 2050. I checked and there is not a later study. It's got LOTS of charts and graphs. Here are a couple of them.
You should be able to finish reading this study in a day... if you keep at it.
And then, here is the main topic page for all of the PEW research topics...
If you memorize all of this, you can rule Jeopardy forever.
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12 comments:
I've seen a lot of projections like this, but being based on population growth, they seem to be ignoring the explosive growth in the rate at which people deconvert from religions. In the US, non-religious people went from something like 5% of the population twenty years ago to 26% now, and that's obviously not because we're out-breeding the Christians. People are abandoning religion in droves (and yes, this is happening in at least some Muslim countries too, and in Latin America, and probably all over the world), and as education and internet access spread, the trend is accelerating. A population-growth-based projection made in 1990 would not have accurately predicted the distribution of religion and irrelgion today, because it would have underestimated deconversion.
So no, I don't believe that the number of Christians or Muslims in the world will be larger in 2050 than it is now. Not even close. Their growth in numbers will be more than offset by people leaving religion entirely -- a continuation of what's happening now.
I753 - That's why I checked to see if there was a newer study since this study is 7 years old. A lot has changed in those 7 years. I don't know how much time and money goes into one of their studies but I think they need a new one.
I would agree with Infidel. I don't think that the religious hold (stranglehold) on countries will remain static. Or perhaps this is just wishful thinking on my part.
Infidel is probably correct. I also wonder whether the "Christian" group subdivides between individuals who follow the teachings of the historical Jesus, or Republican "Christians."
I believe what Infidel753 wrote. I see more moving away from religion than increasing its adherents.
Piqued, not peaked, surely?
Sue - I hope you're right. I'm mean CORRECT!
Bill - 🙂 There are actually historical Jesus churches and groups out there. You just don't hear from them. Claudia's church (our?) is an 'oasis' church, welcoming to everyone. When it declared itself an oasis church, what few right-wingers that were remaining, packed up and left.
John's church(?) is a good example of historical Jesus churches. In this cold weather, they are out at night helping the homeless get warm. Sounds like something Jesus would do doesn't it?
Ray - PEW needs a new study.
Stu - You are technically correct but here's what I found.
From Webster... Peek is sight-related and often refers to looking quickly or through a small space. A homophone, peak is a noun or verb that refers to a maximum or high point figuratively or literally, as in the peak of a mountain or "peak performance." Lastly, a third homophone pique means "to excite or arouse" and is usually used with "curiosity."
From me... When my interest was piqued, it was at its peak, so I peeked into the subject.
None of this piques my interest at all.
River - There will be a PEW test on Monday. It's going to be a busy weekend for you!
I'll get my graduate assistant to summarize it for me
Pixie! Get in here!
Cloudia - Pixie could probably make more sense of it than us.
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