Atheist China could have largest number of Christians in the world by 2030

[rug]

People attend a Christmas Eve Mass at a Catholic church in Shanghai, China, on Saturday. (REUTERS)

Updated: Dec 25, 2016 08:06 IST
Sutirtho Patranobis
Hindustan Times. Beijing

The Amity Printing Company in Nanjing city in eastern China is the world’s largest producer of Bibles. Between 1987 and July 18 this year, it produced 150 million copies in 90 languages and sold them in 70 countries.

If that’s surprising, here’s the controversy: Officially atheist China, according to an estimate sharply criticised by Beijing, could have the largest number of Christians in the world by 2030.

Actual numbers are hard to come by. The Chinese government, which differentiates between Catholics and Protestants, pegged it at between 23 million and 40 million in 2014. It counted those who take part in religious activities in government-sanctioned churches.

Independent estimates vary. A 2011 Pew survey said around 5% of China’s population in 2010 – or around 67 million – were Christians. It took into account those who are part of non-registered or “home” churches that function informally out of sitting rooms, attics and garages.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/in-atheist-china-christians-outnumber-communist-party-members/story-dNG9fAuLrPvSvoAwbWYL0K.html

[onecaliberal]

1. Hopefully not the kind who worship republican Jesus

[Jim__]

2. Could they also have the largest number of atheists of any country?

Based on the projections that I saw for the number of Christians in 2030, it sounds like they could.

[rug]

3. They do, according to this:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2015/07/02/whats-going-on-with-the-huge-percentage-of-atheists-in-china/

But, how many are nonreligious compared to atheist? And, of those, how much of it is due to upbringing and culture compared to investigation and conclusion?

[edhopper]

4. I don't see the source cited

and from the numbers they mention that estimate is BS, as Bejing says.

Christianity may be growing in China, but it is a small minority and will continue to be so.