1 in 6

Although it is very difficult, if not impossible, to get an accurate counting, recent studies show that about 1 in 6 people worldwide claim to have "no religion."  That makes that group (of which I am a member) the third-largest in the world, behind Christians and Muslims.   Fantastic!

As science continues its inexorable march forward, more and more people are going to "wise up" and join the ranks of the non-religious.  Up to 1/3 of those under 30 report having no religion.  Unfortunately, at the same time, Islam is the fastest-growing religion.  That's pretty depressing, as Islam is one of the most backward of all religions.  

Education is key, again.  There is little doubt that the more educated a person is, the less likely it is that they will be religious.  Hence the Republican push to dumb down education and cut its funding.  They know that the less educated you are, the more likely you are to be religious. 

I applaud Richard Dawkins "The Clergy Project."  This year alone, they identified 200 pastors that turned atheist.  

The picture is a long way from rosy for atheists, of course.  There are 7 countries on Earth where you can still be executed for being an atheist, and 7 states in the U.S. that prohibit atheists from holding public office.  THAT should be illegal. 

We've got a long way to go.  Keep the faith!!