The Dynamics of
Global Religious Change
Huge population movements and religious surges take
place by year on the surface of our globe. Causes are births, deaths,
conversions, defections and evangelization under its 300 dimensions and
varieties. The dynamics of these changes are portrayed above. The globe is
analyzed from top to bottom into the three horizontal worlds A, B, and C.
Its populations are then shown moving through life from left to right. They
are analyzed into three vertical segments of human life--births, change
(from childhood to adult life to old age, with persons becoming evangelized
or converts or defectors), and deaths.
NOTES ON GLOBAL DIAGRAM
Population increase. For analysis by countries and continents, see
Table 17-A in World population prospects 1988 (United Naitons
1989; 199-579). For breakdown by Worlds A, B, C, see Global Diagram 12 in
Our globe and how to reach it, 1990:25.
Births. Children born to Christian parents are enumerated as
Christians (see evidence in WCE 1982:47-48).
Converts. Mainly from tribal religions, animism, shamanism.
Baptisms. 27% adult baptisms, 73% child baptisms. On average,
80% of all new Christians become baptized.
Deaths of Christians. Deaths p.a. are analyzed under 37 causes in
Global diagram 17,
Our globe and how to reach it, 1990:30.
Defectors. Mainly to non-religion (agnosticism, secularism, atheism,
also to Islam, New Religions, eastern cults; mostly due to marriage to
non-Christians).
Non-Christian births and deaths. These occur as shown both in World A
and in World B.
Newly-evangelized. These are composed of (a) unevangelized persons who
become evangelized for the first time in the course of the year, plus (b)
children born to Christians.
Unevangelization. The only way that individuals can become
unevangelized is by birth--being born into a non-Christian family. All
children born to unevangelized families in World A start as unevangelized
individuals themselves, at the worst disadvantage of any children on earth.
Non-Christian births. Children born to evangelized non-Christians in
World B are reckoned to begin life unevangelized (and hence to immediately
be located in World A).
Click on Image to enlarge
Source: World Evangelization Database
The Dynamics of Global Religious Change
Annual gains and losses in population, Christians, non-Christians,
evangelized and unevangelized persons, analyzed by Worlds A, B, and C
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