Atheist's Research Indicates Global Faith Revival; Irreligious Europe, not America, is Exception to the Rule

Teresa Neumann : Oct 26, 2009
Julia Duin - The Washington Times

"I went into [my research] underestimating the power and vitality of religion."

Writing for the Washington Times, reporter Julia Duin has revealed the fact that Adrian Wooldridge, co-author of the book The Right Nation and God is Back: How the Global Revival of Faith is Changing the World, believes the world is following America's lead as it pertains to faith going hand-in-hand with democracy. (Photo: Washington Times)

"Religion now goes hand in hand with modernity," Wooldridge told Duin, noting the secularism of Europe runs counter to their findings. He is also quoted as saying he believes Pentecostalism will be the major form of 21st century Christianity.

"The sort of religion that is on the rise is the emotive, assertive Charismatic religion," he said. "It's compelling Catholicism in Latin America to change. There's a physical surprise when you go to Guatemala and see how vibrant the Charismatic and Pentecostal movements are. Same thing for Lagos and Nairobi. I went into that book underestimating the power and vitality of religion."

When Duin asked Wooldridge, an atheist, how he personally reacted to his findings, he replied: "I must say I have more respect, I felt more warmth for religion after doing research for the book, partly because of the people I came across, such as the Pentecostal pastor in Philadelphia who has done the most amazing work dealing with crack cocaine. It did strike me that religious people have done amazing work to help the poor. But where are the atheists doing exactly the same thing?"

Read other noteworthy comments by Wooldridge, such as the impact of Islam in the future, by clicking on the link provided.