8.3.05

God not so dead: Worldwide decline in atheism cited

  • "...atheists in Europe have become “an infinitesimally small group.” “There are not enough of them to be used for sociological research,”...
  • ...Two developments are plaguing atheism these days. One is that it appears to be losing its scientific underpinnings...1,200 studies at research centers around the world [showed a correlation between faith, prayer and recovery from illness].
  • ...The other is the historical experience of hundreds of millions of people worldwide that atheists are in no position to claim the moral high ground.
  • ...the decline of atheism in Europe does not mean that re-Christianization is taking place. “What we are observing instead is a re-paganization,” he said.
  • ...the Roman Catholic Church [handles] this peril more wisely than ...Protestants...[not] making any concessions in the ethical realm,”
  • ...Christianity’s greatest opportunity [is] when its message addresses two seemingly irreconcilable quests of contemporary humanity — the quest for freedom and truth.
  • “Christianity alone affirms that truth and God’s dependability are inseparable properties to which freedom is linked.” ..."