Atheists and income

China has the largest atheist population in the world.[1]

As far as the issue of atheists and income, it depends on the geographic region where the particular atheists or group of atheists live.

The current atheist population mostly resides in East Asia (particularly China) and in secular Europe/Australia primarily among whites.[2] See: Global atheism and Western atheism and race

East Asia contains about 25 percent of the world's population. China's population represents 20 percent of the people on earth.[3]

## Contents

* 1 Chinese and Soviet atheists and income
* 1.1 Chinese, atheist communists and corruption
* 1.2 Sloth in atheistic, communist countries vs. Protestant work ethic
* 1.3 Atheistic communism and forced labor
* 2 Secular, European atheists and income
* 2.1 Secular Europe's economic crisis
* 2.1.1 Economic productivity and the Protestant work ethic
* 2.1.2 Economic and societal deterioration in secular Europe
* 2.1.3 Reports of Britain's societal decline
* 3 American atheists and income
* 3.1 Atheist indoctrination in public educational system
* 4 See also
* 5 External links
* 6 Notes

## Chinese and Soviet atheists and income[edit]

See also: Atheism and China

During the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, it was required for every Chinese citizen to own, read, and carry at all times Quotations from Chairman Mao, also known as "the little red book".

The little red book advocated communism and atheism and it is estimated that about 5 billion copies were printed during the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution.[4]

Razib Khan points out in Discover Magazine, "most secular nations in the world are those of East Asia, in particular what are often termed “Confucian societies.” It is likely therefore that the majority of the world’s atheists are actually East Asian."[5] See: Asian atheism

China has the world's largest atheist population.[6][7]

China has state atheism. See also: China and atheism

According to the website Trading Economics, "GDP per capita in China averaged 1762.12 USD from 1960 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 7755 USD in 2018 and a record low of 132.30 USD in 1962."[8]

### Chinese, atheist communists and corruption[edit]

See also: Atheism and stealing and Atheism and communism

A requirement of being in the Chinese Communist Party is being an atheist and many of the elite Chinese government officials are wealthy and often corrupt (See: 'One million' Chinese officials punished for corruption, BBC, 2016).[9] See also: Atheism and stealing

### Sloth in atheistic, communist countries vs. Protestant work ethic[edit]

See also: Atheism and sloth and Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism and Atheism and economic prosperity

Atheism is a part of Marxist-Leninist and Maoist/Chinese communist ideology (See: Atheism and communism).

Widespread sloth in the former Soviet Union helped cause much poverty.[10][11] A study performed in the former Soviet Union found that over 50% of the work force admitted to drinking alcohol while on the job (See also: Atheism and alcoholism).[12] In the former Soviet Union, a popular joke was that the workers pretended to work and the Soviet Union pretended to pay them.[13]

In 1982, the website Foreign Affairs indicated about the Soviet Union and food production:

“  |  What has changed during these two decades? How is it possible that the Soviet Union has almost exactly the same area of arable and permanent crop land per head of the population as has the United States, namely 0.89 hectares (2.2 acres), and cannot feed its population adequately, whereas U.S. agriculture not only supplies the population with one of the richest diets in the world but in addition supplies more food for export than any other country?[14] |  ”

|
|

In China, the growth in religion has accompanied China’s fast economic growth over the last twenty years.[15]

On the other hand, the atheist and Harvard University historian Niall Ferguson declared: "Through a mixture of hard work and thrift the Protestant societies of the North and West Atlantic achieved the most rapid economic growth in history."[16]

In China, the growth in religion has accompanied China’s fast economic growth over the last twenty years.[17] Christianity is seeing rapid growth in China and the historian Niall Ferguson attributes this recent economic growth to the Protestant work ethic being more incorporated into Chinese society.[18] See also: Protestant work ethic and Growth of Christianity in China

### Atheistic communism and forced labor[edit]

See also: Atheism and forced labor and Atheism and slavery and Religion and abolitionism

In atheistic communist regimes forced labor has often played a significant role in their economies and this practice continues to this day.[19] [20][21][22]

The black conservative author and commentator Thomas Sowell wrote in an essay entitled Ending slavery: "The anti-slavery movement was spearheaded by people who would today be called 'the religious right' and its organization was created by conservative businessmen."[23] See also: Religion and abolitionism

## Secular, European atheists and income[edit]

See also: Secular Europe

From a global perspective, Europe is more secular/atheistic than the rest of the world although it does have a considerable amount of religious immigrants who have higher birth rates (see: Secular Europe and Global atheism).

According to the website Trading Economics, "The Gross Domestic Product per capita in European Union was last recorded at 37417 US dollars in 2018. The GDP per Capita in European Union is equivalent to 296 percent of the world's average."[24]

### Secular Europe's economic crisis[edit]

Euro banknotes

The Eurozone crisis is an ongoing economic crisis which has been negatively affecting Eurozone countries since late 2009. It consists of a sovereign debt crisis, a banking crisis and an economic growth and competitiveness crisis.

See:

* The Eurozone Crisis explained in 5 simple graphs
* Why is there a Euro Crisis?
* Is Europe In Decline? One Professor Thinks So \- Forbes magazine, 9/16/2014
* What's Really Behind Europe's Decline? It's The Birth Rates, Stupid, Forbes magazine, 5/30/2012

#### Economic productivity and the Protestant work ethic[edit]

See also: Protestant work ethic and capitalism

Developed countries with greater wealth, better educational systems and nutrition often have a cultural heritage of Christianity and often have significant Christian populations within them (see also: Protestant cultural legacies).[25][26] In terms of economic development, biblical Christianity has historically had a positive affect on countries.[27] Harvard University historian Niall Ferguson declared: "Through a mixture of hard work and thrift the Protestant societies of the North and West Atlantic achieved the most rapid economic growth in history." (See: Protestant work ethic and capitalism).[28]

The mentality of many irreligious Europeans is not one of hard work and thrift which typifies the Protestant work ethic. It often more closely resembles the citizens of failed atheistic communist states (see: Communism). In addition, many irreligious states (includes various countries in secular Europe) engage in an economic policy of tax, spend and sovereign debt accumulation (see also: Atheism and politics and Secular left).[29]

For more information, please see: Protestant work ethic and capitalism

#### Economic and societal deterioration in secular Europe[edit]

In 2014, Sweden's new Social Democrat prime minister Stefan Loefven said, "Sweden is in a serious situation -- unemployment has become entrenched at high levels, school results have collapsed and the welfare system has major shortcomings".[30]

As noted above, a countries economic health and educational system has an effect on IQ scores.

On October 3, 2014, L’Agence France-Presse reported:

“  |  Sweden's new Social Democrat prime minister Stefan Loefven unveiled what he called a "feminist" government including Green Party ministers for the first time in the Nordic country.

"The Swedish people voted for a change of government and a new political direction. A new government comprised of the Social Democrats and the Green Party is ready to take up the task," Loefven said in his inaugural speech to parliament.

"Sweden's new government is a feminist government," he said.

Half his cabinet is female, including Finance Minister Magdalena Andersson and Foreign Minister Margot Wallstroem, a former EU commissioner.

Green Party leaders Aasa Romson and Gustav Fridolin were appointed ministers for the environment and education, respectively, and the party will also control Sweden's overseas aid agency Sida and the consumer affairs ministry.

He repeated election pledges to create jobs, recruit more teachers and increase the compulsory school age from 16 to 18.

"Sweden is in a serious situation -- unemployment has become entrenched at high levels, school results have collapsed and the welfare system has major shortcomings," he said.[31]

|  ”

|
|

#### Reports of Britain's societal decline[edit]

See also: British atheism

* Why is England burning? by Creation Ministries International, August 13, 2011
* ‘Sexual perversion is good for you’, claims BBC by Creation Ministries International, September 27, 2012

## American atheists and income[edit]

See also: American atheism and Religion and education

David Silverman was the president of the American Atheists organization. Silverman was fired due to allegations of financial conflicts and sexual assault.[32]

Compared the rest of the developed world, Americans are more religious (see: American atheism and Sociology of "atheism is un-American" view).

According to the 2014 General Social Survey (GSS), the number of atheists and agnostics in the United States has remained relatively stable in the past 23 years. In 2014, 3% of Americans identified as atheists, and 5% identified as agnostics.[33] In 1991, 2% of Americans identified as atheist, and 4% identified as agnostic.[34]

In June 2016, American Interest reported: "First of all, religious belief is still very powerful and widespread, and there is nothing inevitable about its decline. In fact, the proportion of people who say they believe in God actually ticked modestly upward, from 86 percent to 89 percent, since Gallup last asked the question in 2014."[35]

According to the website Trading Economics, "The GDP per Capita in the United States is equivalent to 432 percent of the world's average. GDP per capita in the United States averaged 35552.91 USD from 1960 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 54541.70 USD in 2018 and a record low of 17550.60 USD in 1960."[36]

The Pew Research Forum reported in 2013 concerning American atheists: "About four-in-ten atheists (43%) have a college degree, compared with 29% of the general public."[37]

In 2012, the Pew Research Forum reported regarding American atheists: "And about 38% of atheists and agnostics have an annual family income of at least $75,000, compared with 29% of the general public."[38] See also: Atheism/Christianity and socioeconomic status diversity

See also: Income distribution of American atheists, Pew Research

### Atheist indoctrination in public educational system[edit]

See also: Atheist indoctrination

Jewish columnist Dennis Prager has stated that a causal factor of atheism is the "secular indoctrination of a generation."[39] Prager stated that "From elementary school through graduate school, only one way of looking at the world – the secular – is presented. The typical individual in the Western world receives as secular an indoctrination as the typical European received a religious one in the Middle Ages."[40] Despite atheistic indoctrination in public schools in the United States, the United States remains very religious (see: Views on atheists). See also: Atheism and children and Atheism and critical thinking

## See also[edit]

* Atheism and economics

* Demographics of atheism

* Atheism statistics

* Atheism and charity

## External links[edit]

* Will global atheism be hurt by a global, economic depression in the 2020s or 2030s?, Examining Atheism

## Notes[edit]

1. ↑
* Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics (Zuckerman, 2005)
* A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live, Washington Post By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey May 23, 2013
2. ↑ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live, By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey, Washington Post, May 23, 2013
3. ↑ The Growth of Christianity in East Asia
4. ↑ Chairman Mao may not be the author of his 'Little Red Book', The Independent, 2011
5. ↑ Most atheists are not white & other non-fairy tales, Discover magazine
6. ↑ Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics (Zuckerman, 2005)
7. ↑ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live, Washington Post By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey May 23, 2013
8. ↑ Gross Domestic Product per capita in China
9. ↑ Senior Chinese Religious Advisor Calls For Promotion Of Atheism In Society, International Business Times
10. ↑ Poverty, prostitutes and the long, slow death of the Soviet Union: Haunting pictures show desperate struggle to survive in last days of USSR, The Daily Mail
11. ↑ Soviet Openness Brings Poverty Out of the Shadows, New York Times
12. ↑ Communism and computer ethics
13. ↑ You Pretend to work and Putin pretends to pay you
14. ↑ Soviet Agriculture's Dependence on the West By Karl-Eugen Wädekin, Foreign Affairs, 1982
15. ↑ The Protestant Work Ethic: Alive & Well…In China By Hugh Whelchel on September 24, 2012
16. ↑ The Protestant Work Ethic: Alive & Well…In China By Hugh Whelchel on September 24, 2012
17. ↑ The Protestant Work Ethic: Alive & Well…In China By Hugh Whelchel on September 24, 2012
18. ↑ The Protestant Work Ethic: Alive & Well…In China By Hugh Whelchel on September 24, 2012
19. ↑
* Museum of Communism FAQ by Bryan Caplan
* North Korea: Economic System Built on Forced Labor New Testimonies Say Even Children Must Work or Face Detention Camps, Human Rights Watch, June 13, 2012
20. ↑ Qatar’s ambitious future driven on by North Korean ‘forced labour’, The Guardian, Pete Pattisson in Doha, Friday 7 November 2014 07.52 (EST)
21. ↑ Labor camps reinforce China's totalitarian rule. Cnn.com (1984-10-09). Retrieved on 2013-03-20.
22. ↑ "China to reform re-education through labor system", Xinhua, January 8, 2013. Retrieved on January 8, 2013.
23. ↑ Ending slavery
24. ↑ Eurpean Union GDP per capita
25. ↑ Global Christianity – A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World’s Christian Population, Pew Forum, December 10, 2011
26. ↑ These Were Christian Nations
27. ↑
* The Protestant Work Ethic: Alive & Well…In China By Hugh Whelchel on September 24, 2012
* Christianity as progress: A review of The Victory of Reason: How Christianity Led to Freedom, Capitalism, and Western Success by Rodney Stark Random House, New York, 2005 by Lael Weinberger
* The biblical origins of science: A review of For The Glory of God: How Monotheism Led to Reformations, Science, Witch-hunts and the End of Slavery by Rodney Stark by Alex Williams
28. ↑ The Protestant Work Ethic: Alive & Well…In China By Hugh Whelchel on September 24, 2012
29. ↑ European Sovereign debt crisis by Philip Lane
30. ↑ New 'feminist' government with a Green tinge in Sweden
31. ↑ New 'feminist' government with a Green tinge in Sweden
32. ↑ This Firebrand Atheist Was Just Fired After Allegations Of Financial Conflicts And Sexual Assault
33. ↑ Hout, Michael; Smith, Tom (March 2015). "Fewer Americans Affiliate with Organized Religions, Belief and Practice Unchanged: Key Findings from the 2014 General Social Survey" (PDF). General Social Survey. NORC
34. ↑ Hout, Michael; Smith, Tom (March 2015). "Fewer Americans Affiliate with Organized Religions, Belief and Practice Unchanged: Key Findings from the 2014 General Social Survey" (PDF). General Social Survey. NORC
35. ↑ Atheism is Rising, But…, American Interest
36. ↑ United States GDP per capita
37. ↑ 5 facts about atheists By Michael Lipka, Pew Research Forum, October 23, 2013
38. ↑ “Nones” on the Rise - Demographics, Pew Research Forum, October 9, 2012
39. ↑ How atheism is being sold in America
40. ↑ How atheism is being sold in America