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[[File:Food Science and Technology.jpg|thumbnail|250px|right|A [[food science]] laboratory]]
The Institute of Food Technologists defines [[food science]] as "the discipline in which the engineering, biological, and physical sciences are used to study the nature of foods, the causes of deterioration, the principles underlying food processing, and the improvement of foods for the consuming public".<ref>Heldman, Dennis R. "IFT and the Food Science Profession." Food Technology. October 2006. p. 11.</ref>
== Soviet Union and bland food ==
[[Nordic]] countries have high atheist/[[agnosticism|agnostic]] populations within them (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden).
[[Sweden]] is one of the most atheistic countries in the world and in [[secular Europe]]. The website adherents.com reported that in 2005 46 - 85% of Swedes were agnostics/atheists/non-believers in God.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref> Sweden also has the 3rd highest rate of belief in evolution as far as [[Western World]] nations.<ref>[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/bigphotos/21329204.html Photo: Evolution Less Accepted in U.S. Than Other Western Countries, Study Finds]</ref> Since [[World War II]] a majority of the most prominent and vocal defenders of the evolutionary position which employs methodological naturalism have been [[Atheism|atheists]] and [[agnosticism|agnostics]].<ref>* Dr. Don Batten, [http://creation.com/a-whos-who-of-evolutionists A ''Who’s Who'' of evolutionists] ''Creation'' 20(1):32, December 1997.* [[Jonathan Sarfati]], Ph.D.,F.M., [http://www.creation.com/content/view/3830 ''Refuting Evolution'', Chapter 1, Facts and Bias]</ref>
Denmark has the highest rate of belief in evolution in the [[Western World]].<ref>[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/bigphotos/21329204.html Photo: Evolution Less Accepted in U.S. Than Other Western Countries, Study Finds]</ref> In addition, in 2005 [[Denmark]] was ranked the third most atheistic country in the world and the website adherents.com reported that in 2005 43 - 80% of Danes are [[agnosticism|agnostics]]/atheists/non-believers in God.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref>
== Irreligious Britain and bland food ==
''See also:'' [[British atheism]]
[[File:Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins.jpg|thumbnail|right|300px|The Britain born [[New Atheism|new atheists]] [[Christopher Hitchens]] and [[Richard Dawkins]]. The late Christopher Hitchens was known for his heavy drinking.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/17/christopher-hitchens-desp_n_685021.html Christopher Hitchens: Despite Cancer, I'd Drink & Smoke Again]</ref> Please notice the utter lack of plates filled with tasty food on the table. See also: [[Britain and alcoholism]] ]]
A Eurobarometer poll in 2010 reported that 37% of UK citizens "believed there is a God", 33% believe there is "some sort of spirit or life force" and 25% answered "I don't believe there is any sort of spirit, God or life force".<ref>[http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_341_en.pdf Special Eurobarometer, biotechnology, p. 204"]. Fieldwork: Jan-Feb 2010.</ref> See also: [[British atheism]]
Once you get tired of going out and eating bland local food, you’ll have two options: go to restaurants that serve international cuisine or cook your own food. The problem with the first option is that the international restaurant scene is rather limited in Eastern Europe.<ref>[http://mavericktraveler.com/13-things-dont-tell-eastern-europe/ 13 Things They Don’t Tell You About Eastern Europe] by James Maverick, Maverick Treveler</ref>}}
== Irreligion, smoking, altered taste buds and an impaired sense of taste == ''See also:'' [[Atheism and smoking]][[Image:A24987~.jpg|thumb|right|175px|The irreligious are more frequently smokers (see: [[Atheism and smoking]]).]]=== Atheism and smoking === The irreligious are more frequently smokers (see: [[Atheism and smoking]]). The abstract of the 2012 ''International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine'' journal article entitled ''Religion and smoking: a review of recent literature'' indicates: {{Cquote|Tobacco smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke are a major threat to human health worldwide. The effort to prevent tobacco use should be regarded as an important public health strategy. Given the significance of religion and spirituality in the daily life of more than 90% of the world's population, the relationship of religion and smoking should be seen as a critical research area. Religions are many and varied, but most value human well-being highly and so do not approve of tobacco use, even though they do not prohibit it entirely. In recent years, researchers have shown more interest in the subject of religion and health, including drug and tobacco use. Differences of focus and methodology notwithstanding, most studies have ascertained a deterrent role for religion as regards tobacco use, and several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the negative relationship between religion or spirituality and smoking.<ref>[Religion and smoking: a review of recent literature.] by Garrusi B1, Nakhaee N., ''International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine'' , 2012;43(3):279-92.</ref>}} === Smoking, altered taste buds and an impaired sense of taste === According to WebMD, cigarette smoking alters taste buds and impairs a person's sense of taste.<ref>[https://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/news/20090821/cigarette-smoke-dulls-taste-buds Cigarette Smoking Dulls Taste], WebMD</ref> So not only are the irreligious, smokers eating bland food in various irreligious cultures, but their food is even blander due to their taste buds being adversely affected by smoking. In addition, irreligious food scientists, [[chef]]s and cooks who are smokers are often impaired in terms of carrying out their jobs. == Atheism, culinary arts, inspiration, innovation and science == ''See also:'' [[Atheism, culinary arts, inspiration, innovation and food science]] and [[Atheism and culinary science]] === ECPI University on the culinary arts on inspiration, innovation, teamwork and science ====[[File:John Updike.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|[[John Updike]] wrote: "Among the repulsions of atheism for me has been its drastic un-interestingness as an intellectual position. Where was the ingenuity, the ambiguity, the humanity...of saying that the universe just happened to happen and that when we're dead we're dead?".<ref>Updike, John (1989). ''Self-Consciousness: Memoirs'' (New York, NY: Knopf), ch. 4.</ref> See: [[Atheism and inspiration]] ]]
ECPI University in their article ''Inspiring Culinary Quotes for Future Chefs'' states: "When you’re studying the culinary arts there are going to be long hours and lots of time on your feet. If you need some inspiration while you work, here are some quotes from famous chefs about food, cooking, and the love of the kitchen." <ref>[https://www.ecpi.edu/blog/inspiring-culinary-quotes-for-future-chefs Inspiring Culinary Quotes for Future Chefs], ECPI University</ref>
"My grandfather gave me inspiration to cook, and love food and flavors. My Aunt Raffie, gave me creativity and the inspiration to create new things. My mother inspires me to find simplicity in food." - Giada De Laurentiis
== See also = Atheism and inspiration/innovation/teamwork/science ===
*[[Atheism and inspiration]]
*[[Atheism and motivation]]
*[[Atheism and love]]
*[[Atheism and sloth]]
*[[Atheism and open-mindedness]]
*[[Atheism and dogmatism]]
*[[Atheism and groupthink]]
*[[Atheism and intolerance]]
*[[Atheism and anxiety]]
*[[Atheism and cowardice]]
*[[Atheism and social/interpersonal intelligence]]
*[[Atheist factions]]
*[[Atheism and arrogance]]
*[[Atheism and narcissism]]
*[[Atheism and anger]]
*[[Atheism and suicide]]
*[[Atheism and depression]]
*[[Atheism and negative emotions/thoughts]]
==== Atheism and science ====
*[[Atheism and science]]
*[[Atheism and the suppression of science]]
== Atheism is often called bland, boring, unimaginative and uninspiring ==
''See also:'' [[Atheism and inspiration]] and [[Atheism, culinary arts, inspiration, innovation and food science]]
[[File:Alister McGrath.jpg|left|thumb|175px|[[Alister McGrath]] ]]
Atheist Francois Tremblay wrote: "One last problem that undermines any propagation of [[atheism]] is inspiration. Let's be honest here, "there is no god!" is not a very motivating call for most people."<ref>[http://www.liberator.net/articles/TremblayFrancois/herdingcats.html Herding Cats: Why Atheism Will Lose] by Francois Tremblay</ref>
The atheist blogger Martin Hughes wrote: "Atheism is boring."<ref>[https://www.patheos.com/blogs/barrierbreaker/atheism-is-boring/ Atheism Is Boring] by Martin Hughes</ref>
The [[ex-atheist]] [[Alister McGrath]] has repeatedly pointed out the uninspiring nature of atheism.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tSQPGYvE0s Clear Voices 2014 - Alister McGrath - C. S. Lewis’s Vision of the Christianity]</ref><ref>''In the Aftermath: Provocations and Laments'' By David Bentley Hart, page 136</ref> According to McGrath, atheism is "stale", "dull" and difficult to believe.<ref>
*[http://www.christian.org.uk/news/stale-dull-atheism-is-in-decline-says-professor/ ‘Stale, dull atheism is in decline’ says professor], The Christian Institute
*[http://www.christiantoday.com/article/atheism.in.decline.and.will.be.defeated.by.faith.says.oxford.professor/71639.htm Atheism in decline and will be defeated by faith, says Oxford professor] by Harry Farley, ''Christianity Today'', 25 November 2015</ref>
[[John Updike]] wrote:
{{cquote|Among the repulsions of atheism for me has been its drastic un-interestingness as an intellectual position. Where was the ingenuity, the ambiguity, the humanity...of saying that the universe just happened to happen and that when we're dead we're dead?".<ref>Updike, John (1989). ''Self-Consciousness: Memoirs'' (New York, NY: Knopf), ch. 4.</ref>}}
The British columnist Giles Coren wrote in ''The Times'':
{{cquote|But it’s not the [[nihilism]], the soullessness, the [[Atheist poetry|lack of poetry]], the moral and physical ugliness, the shallow iconoclasm or the vainglory of atheists that bother me most. It’s the boringness.
Is there anything more boring in the world than an atheist?<ref>[http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/opinion/columnists/article4626072.ece I don’t believe it – they’re doing atheism at GCSE] by Niles Coren</ref>}}
In 1839, Isaac Taylor wrote in the novel ''Saturday Evening, by the Author of Natural History of Enthusiasm'', "This at least may most confidently be prognosticated, that the atheism which now is bland, submissive, respectful, crafty will become a creature altogether of altogether another temper....".<ref>[https://books.google.com/booksid=bdlhjyFsuCgC&pg=PA166&lpg=PA166&dq=%22become+a+creature+altogether+of%22&source=bl&ots=g4noGhjILh&sig=ACfU3U1YUb4aHC7aoFhXlck5eJ5AooHDQw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwju8PbHnsfkAhXGx1kKHc6PB_YQ6AEwAnoECAQQAQ#v=onepage&q=%22become%20a%20creature%20altogether%20of%22&f=false ''Saturday Evening, by the Author of Natural History of Enthusiasm''] by Isaac Taylor, 1839</ref>
In ''The Guardian'', the atheist Jim Al-Khalili wrote about the Christian holiday [[Christmas]], "living in a [[secular]] state should never mean one that is bland and homogeneous. Certainly, it should be one in which those of us who wish to can still celebrate Christmas."<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2012/dec/23/why-this-atheist-celebrates-christmas Why this atheist celebrates Christmas] by Jim Al-Khalili, ''The Guardian''</ref>
In December 2003, the University of Warwick reported: "Dr. Stephen Joseph, from the University of Warwick, said: "Religious people seem to have a greater purpose in life, which is why they are happier. Looking at the research evidence, it seems that those who celebrate the Christian meaning of [[Christmas]] are on the whole likely to be happier."<ref>[http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/2003/A/20037338.html Psychology researcher says spiritual meaning of Christmas brings more happiness than materialism]</ref>
See also: [[Atheism and happiness]]
[[File:Washington Cathedral.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Washington National Cathedral]] ]]
The atheist philosopher Alain de Botton wrote:
{{Cquote|The museum shouldn’t be a neutral space for laying out the artworks of the past like a giant library or catalogue. It should be a place to convert you to something.
Try to imagine what would happen if modern secular museums took the example of churches more seriously. What if they too decided that art had a specific purpose — to make us good and wise and kind — and tried to use the art in their possession to prompt us to be so? What if they gave up on the neutral, bland captions they tend to use, and put beneath each picture a really directive set of commands, telling us, for example, ‘Look at this image and remember to be patient’ — or ‘Use this sculpture to meditate on what you too could do to bring about a fairer world?’”<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/do-atheists-have-anything-to-learn-from-religion/2012/03/26/gIQAZXqdcS_story.html Do atheists have anything to learn from religion?] byBy Kimberly Winston| Religion News Service, March 26, 2012</ref>}}
For more information, please see:
*[[Atheism and inspiration]]
*[[Atheism and open-mindedness]]
*[[Atheism and groupthink]]
== French cuisine ==
''See also:'' [[French cuisine]] and [[French atheism]]
[[File:Prise de la Bastille.jpg|thumbnail|left|200px|On July 14, 1789, the [[Bastille]] was stormed by a mob and its prisoners freed, which is regarded as the start of the [[French Revolution]]. ]]
[[History of Atheism#French Revolution and atheism|Due to its past]], namely the anti-clerical [[French Revolution]] and its after effects, in 2005 [[France]] had the 8th highest rate of atheism in the world with 43–54% of the population being atheists/agnostics/non-believers in God.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref> In 2010, in a Eurobarometer poll,<ref>{{cite web|author1=Eurobarometer |authorlink1=Eurobarometer |title=Eurobarometer report on Biotechnology |url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_341_en.pdf |date=2010 |page=381 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101215001129/http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_341_en.pdf |archivedate=15 December 2010 |df= }}</ref> 27% of French respondents answered "I believe there is a God", 27% answered "I believe there is some sort of spirit or life force", and 40% answered "I don't believe there is any sort of spirit, God or life force".
The French are well-known for their culinary achievements.<ref>[https://www.thespruceeats.com/introduction-to-french-food-and-cooking-1375348 A Brief Introduction to French Food and Cooking] BY Rebecca Franklin</ref>
The website Cultural Front notes:
{{Cquote|In chapter 6 of ''Outliers'', [[Malcolm Gladwell]] highlights cultural legacies. He opens with disturbing descriptions of how longstanding cultural patterns and beliefs influenced violent conflicts among generations of families in Kentucky during the 19th century.
The compelling research findings concerning long-term and deeply held values led Gladwell to the conclusion that cultural legacies are powerful forces. They have deep roots and long lives. They persist, generation after generation, virtually intact, even as the economic and social demographic conditions that spawned them have vanished, and they play such a role in directing attitudes and behavior that we cannot make sense of our world without them. He goes on to note the possibilities of “taking cultural legacies seriously” in order to learn “why people succeed and how to make people better.”<ref>[http://www.culturalfront.org/2013/10/outliers-cultural-legacies.html Outliers & Cultural Legacies]</ref>}}
The French Revolution occurred in 1789.
A compelling argument can be made that France had a longstanding culinary tradition before it became significantly irreligious. And cultural changes happen slowly.
=== French cooking, religious immigrants and French cuisine ===
[[File:Flag of France.png|thumbnail|200px|right|French scholars say, [[evangelicalism]] is likely the fastest-growing religion in France – defying all stereotypes about one of Europe's most secular nations. In 2011 alone, the number of evangelical churches increased from 769 to 2,068.<ref>[https://www.csmonitor.com/World/2012/0712/In-a-France-suspicious-of-religion-evangelicalism-s-message-strikes-a-chord In a France suspicious of religion, evangelicalism's message strikes a chord]</ref> ]]
''See also:'' [[Desecularization]] and [[Growth of global desecularization]]
Like many irreligious/nonreligious countries, France has a subreplacement fertility rate which is help causing an increase in immigration (especially religious immigrants), but some of France's pro-natalist policies is making the situation better and it now has a fertility rate better than many developed countries (see: [[Atheism and fertility rates]]).<ref>[https://geographyas.info/population/france-pro-natalism/ France, a Pro Natalist Country]</ref> See also: [[European desecularization in the 21st century]]. In 2016, France's fertility rate was 1.96 (a replacement level of births is 2.1 children per woman).
France has had a significant amount of [[evangelical Christian]] and Islamic immigrants in recent years. Many of France's immigrants are from former French colonies in Africa and Asia. According the ''Seattle Times'' article ''French cuisine, shaped by the immigrant experience'', immigration is having an influence on French cuisine.<ref>[https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/french-cuisine-shaped-by-the-immigrant-experience/ French cuisine, shaped by the immigrant experience], ''Seattle Times''</ref>
In April 2010, the British academic and [[agnosticism|agnostic]] [[Eric Kaufmann]] declared that "the rate of secularisation has flattened to zero in most of [[Protestantism|Protestant]] [[Europe]] and [[France]]."<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2013/03/british-academic-eric-kaufmann-says.html British academic Eric Kaufmann says "the rate of secularisation has flattened to zero in most of Protestant Europe and France". Also, Kaufmann writes that secularism "appears exhausted and lacking in confidence"]</ref>
On July 12, 2012, the ''Christian Science Monitor'' reported:
{{cquote|French scholars say, evangelicalism is likely the fastest-growing religion in France – defying all stereotypes about Europe’s most secular nation...
Daniel Liechti, vice-president of the French National Evangelical Council, found that since 1970, a new evangelical church has opened in France every 10 days. The number of churches increased from 769 to 2,068 last year.<ref>[https://www.csmonitor.com/World/2012/0712/In-a-France-suspicious-of-religion-evangelicalism-s-message-strikes-a-chord In a France suspicious of religion, evangelicalism's message strikes a chord]</ref>}}
=== Recent improvement in France's dining experiences ===
[[File:Paris street photo of a man smoking.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|[[Paris]] street photo of a man smoking. ]]
As noted above, the irreligious are more frequently smokers (see: [[Atheism and smoking]]).
Many people feel that smoking in restaurents detracts from the dining experience.
Tourists visiting France often cite smoking as the first culture shock they experience.<ref>[https://www.thelocal.fr/20170502/smoking-france-cigarettes-do-french-really-smoke- The French and smoking: Is France really 'Europe's chimney']</ref> A survey by travel website Tripadvisor reported that users found that France was by far the "smokiest" country in the world.<ref>[https://www.thelocal.fr/20170502/smoking-france-cigarettes-do-french-really-smoke- The French and smoking: Is France really 'Europe's chimney']</ref> During the French Revolution, smoke filled Paris cafés turned into centers of lively political discussion and activity, often led by members of the Revolutionary clubs.<ref>Fierro, Alfred (1996). Histoire et dictionnaire de Paris. Robert Laffont. p. 743. ISBN 2-221-07862-4.</ref><ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/french-revolution-in-cafe-society/2008/01/01/1198949785452.html French revolution in cafe society]</ref>
In 2006, France banned smoking in public places.<ref>[https://www.tripsavvy.com/smoking-in-france-1516917 What You Need to Know About Smoking in France]</ref>
== Chinese cuisine ==
[[File:Peking duck (1).jpg|thumbnail|100px|right|A [[China|Chinese]] cook slicing Peking roast duck.]]
[[China|Chinese]] food is popular in many countries and there are a lot of Chinese people who emmigrated to other countries and established Chinese restaurants (although the food found in many Chinese restaurants outside of China is altered in order to adopt to their local patrons palates).
The Chinese civilization has existed for thousands of years and has both a history of religion/irreligion (see: [[China#Religion|Religion in China]]). [[State atheism]] did not occur in China until 1949. Much of what was written about French cuisine above in terms of cultural change could be applied to Chinese cuisine.
China has been experiencing an explosive growth of [[Christianity]] (see: [[Growth of Christianity in China]]).
== Irreligious countries with bland food and a religious past ==
[[File:Chefs.jpg|thumbnail|251px|right|[[Mexico|Mexican]] [[chef]]s preparing a meal]]
''See also:'' [[Atheism and arrogance]] and [[Atheism and intelligence]]
Atheists have a reputation for arrogance (see: [[Atheism and arrogance]]). For example, many atheists have given themselves pretentious monikers such as [[Freethought|freethinker]], rationalist and "[[Brights Movement|bright]]" (see: [[Atheism and arrogance#Pretentious monikers|Atheists and pretentious monikers]] and [[Brights Movement]]). In addition, many atheists also engage in [[scientism]] and don't recognize the [[limitations of science]].
Given how many atheists/"freethinkers" claim how "free" and how intelligent they are, the lack of more flavorful food in irreligious cultures certainly cannot be blamed on their religious ancestors - especially given all the progress made by food scientists and chefs in recent years when it comes to creating excellent culinary experiences. For example, while British atheists are settling for bland and unimaginative food, there are religious, [[Mexico|Mexican]] chefs creating wonderful dining experiences.
== Atheism, gender, chefs and irreligious countries with bland food ==
A majority atheists are men (see: [[Atheism and women]]). Most chefs in fine restaurants are men.<ref>[https://tastessence.com/are-men-better-at-cooking-than-women Are Men Better at Cooking Than Women? The Answer May Surprise You]</ref> And yet, as can be seen above, there have been and are irreligious cultures with bland food.
== Spices, health benefits and potential health benefits. Atheism and unscientific medical practices ==
=== Journal articles: Spices, health benefits and potential health benefits ===
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26560460 Spice Use in Food: Properties and Benefits], ''Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition'', 2015 Nov 11:0.
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27153401 Sauces, spices, and condiments: definitions, potential benefits, consumption patterns, and global markets], ''Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences''. 2016 May 6.
=== Atheism and unscientific medical practices ===
''See also:'' [[Atheism and medicine]]
[[File:Gua Sha Massage Aftermath.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|In the [[Traditional Chinese medicine]] practice of gua sha, the skin is abraded until red spots then bruising cover the area to which it is performed.]]
Razib Khanm wrote at ''Discover Magazine'':
{{Cquote|...the most secular nations in the world are those of [[East Asia]], in particular what are often termed “[[Confucius|Confucian]] societies.” It is likely therefore that the majority of the world’s [[atheism|atheists]] are actually East Asian...
This is not to say that East Asia is necessarily a haven for a [[Critical rationalism|critical rationalist]] perspective, what with the prominence of [[Traditional Chinese medicine|Chinese medicine]], [[geomancy]], Korean [[shamanism]]...<ref>[http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2010/11/most-atheists-are-not-white/ Most atheists are not white & other non-fairy tales] By Razib Khanm, Discover Magazine</ref>}}
See also: [[Asian atheism]] and [[Atheist population]]
Razib Khan points out in ''Discover Magazine'', "most [[secular]] nations in the world are those of East Asia, in particular what are often termed “[[Confucianism|Confucian]] societies.” It is likely therefore that the majority of the world’s [[Atheism|atheists]] are actually East Asian."<ref>[http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2010/11/most-atheists-are-not-white/ Most atheists are not white & other non-fairy tales], Discover magazine</ref> See: [[Asian atheism]] and [[Global atheism]]
[[East Asia]] contains about 25 percent of the world’s population. China’s population represents 20 percent of the people on earth.<ref>[http://www.sbts.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/10/Pages-from-SBJT-V15-N2_Terry.pdf The Growth of Christianity in East Asia]</ref>
[[China]] has the world's largest atheist population (see: [[China and atheism]]).<ref>[http://www.thechapmans.nl/news/Atheist.pdf Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics (Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref><ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/23/a-surprising-map-of-where-the-worlds-atheists-live/ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live], ''Washington Post'' By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey May 23, 2013</ref> China is a [[communism|communist]] state which practices [[state atheism]] (see: [[Atheism and communism]]).
[[Traditional Chinese medicine]] (TCM) is a type of traditional medicine based on 2,500+ years of [[China|Chinese]] medical practices which includes various types of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, exercise, and dietary therapy, but recently has also incorporated modern Western medicine. The efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine is poorly researched and supported.<ref>Shang, A.; Huwiler, K.; Nartey, L.; Jüni, P.; Egger, M. (2007). "Placebo-controlled trials of Chinese herbal medicine and conventional medicine comparative study". International Journal of Epidemiology. 36 (5): 1086–92. doi:10.1093/ije/dym119. PMID 17602184.</ref>
The Chinese government's National People’s Congress Standing Committee regulates TCM.<ref name="WebMD China TCM">{{cite web|title=China passes first law on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)|url=http://webmd.cn/en/china-passes-first-law-traditional-chinese-medicine-tcm/|publisher=WebMD China|date=December 28, 2016}}</ref>
[[File:Ncvjgfu.jpg|thumbnail|left|175px|The atheist, [[communism|communist]] dictator [[Mao Zedong]] revived and heavily promoted [[Traditional Chinese medicine]] in China. He didn't believe in it himself, but pushed it as a cheap alternative to real medicine.<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevensalzberg/2018/10/01/who-endorses-tcm-expect-deaths-to-rise/#1f0c61f16418 WHO Endorses Traditional Chinese Medicine. Expect Deaths To Rise] by Steven Salzberg, Forbes magazine</ref>]]
Steven Salzberg wrote in ''Forbes'' magazine concerning TCM:
{{Cquote|The ''Nature'' writer, David Cyranoski, presents this news in a classic two-sides-of-the-story format, describing the "endless hours" that TCM proponents spent on such important topics as the "correct location of acupuncture points and less commonly known concepts such as ‘triple energizer meridian’ syndrome." Later in the article (but much later), he points out that scientists have argued that qi and meridians simply don't exist.
Were you thinking this was about health care? Afraid not. Cyranoski goes on to point out some serious problems with TCM, for example:
"Critics view TCM practices as unscientific, unsupported by clinical trials, and sometimes dangerous: China’s drug regulator gets more than 230,000 reports of adverse effects from TCM each year."
Actually, it's much worse than this. Here's what TCM really looks like: the horrific slaughter of the last remaining rhinoceroses in Africa in order to hack off their horns, which are sold to become part of elixirs that some people mistakenly think confer strength, virility, or other health benefits. Last year, National Geographic ran a heart-wrenching photo essay showing some of the awful results of rhinoceros poaching in Africa; take a look at these photos here.
TCM also looks like this: black bears kept in grotesquely cruel "farms" with a permanent tube inserted into their abdomens so that their bile can be harvested. Despite a growing movement to end this inhumane practice (see this NY Times story), it persists today, with thousands of bears kept in cages so small they can barely move. No one can view photos such as these and say that TCM is a good thing...
Well put. On the other hand, Cyranoski does point out that the major motivation for TCM is money:
"[China] has been aggressively promoting TCM on the international stage both for expanding its global influence and for a share of the estimated US$50-billion global market."...
As the Nature article points out, TCM has been a scam for decades: it was revived and heavily promoted in China by former dictator [[Mao Zedong]], who didn't believe in it himself, but pushed it as a cheap alternative to real medicine.<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevensalzberg/2018/10/01/who-endorses-tcm-expect-deaths-to-rise/#1f0c61f16418 WHO Endorses Traditional Chinese Medicine. Expect Deaths To Rise] by Steven Salzberg, Forbes magazine</ref>}}
See also:
*[[Atheist hospitals]]
*[[Atheism in medicine]]
*[[Atheist doctors]]
*[[Atheism and health]]
*[[New Atheism leaders and unhealthy lifestyles]]
*[[Richard Dawkins and medical science]]
== Jesus and the healthy Mediterranean diet. The Mosaic Law and health ==
*[[Jesus Christ, the apostles and the Mediterranean diet/Mosaic diet]]
*[[The Bible and health]]
== Atheism, evolutionism, Britain and food science ==
''See also:'' [[Atheism, evolutionism, Britain and food science]] and [[Evolution]]
[[Image:Evolution.jpg|alt=evolution darwin theory|right|thumb|200px|Late in [[Charles Darwin|Charles Darwin's]] life, Darwin told the Duke of Argyll that he frequently had overwhelming thoughts that the natural world was the [[Intelligent design|result of design]].<ref>http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/teleological-arguments/notes.html</ref> See also: [http://creation.com/15-questions 15 questions for evolutionists] ]]
As noted above, since [[World War II]] a majority of the most prominent and vocal defenders of the [[evolution]]ary position which employs [[methodological naturalism]] have been [[Atheism|atheists]] and [[agnosticism|agnostics]].<ref>
* Dr. Don Batten, [http://creation.com/a-whos-who-of-evolutionists A ''Who’s Who'' of evolutionists] ''Creation'' 20(1):32, December 1997.
* [[Jonathan Sarfati]], Ph.D.,F.M., [http://www.creation.com/content/view/3830 ''Refuting Evolution'', Chapter 1, Facts and Bias]
</ref>
[[Charles Darwin]] (12 February 1809–19 April 1882) was a famous naturalist born in [[Britain]]. He is best known for popularizing the idea of [[evolution]] by [[natural selection]] presented in his book ''On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life'' (commonly referred to simply as ''The Origin of Species'').
There is a cult of personality and type of religiosity currently surrounding [[Charles Darwin]]. [[Stephen Jay Gould]] wrote the following in 1978: ""... all theories [of natural selection] cite God in their support, and ... Darwin comes close to this status among evolutionary biologists ...".<ref>http://www.bradburyac.mistral.co.uk/dar1.html</ref> In 2002, Michael White similarly wrote: "Of course today, for biologists, Darwin is second only to God, and for many he may rank still higher."<ref>http://www.bradburyac.mistral.co.uk/dar1.html</ref>
As noted above, the Institute of Food Technologists defines [[food science]] as "the discipline in which the engineering, <big>'''biological'''</big>, and physical sciences are used to study the nature of foods, the causes of deterioration, the principles underlying food processing, and the improvement of foods for the consuming public". ('''bolding in the quote added for emphasis''')<ref>Heldman, Dennis R. "IFT and the Food Science Profession." Food Technology. October 2006. p. 11.</ref>
Britain, is the birthplace of [[Darwinism]] and the British naturalist Darwin made evolutionary ideas popular. Thus, Britain is arguably the fountainhead of evolutionary ideas.
[[Stephen Wolfram]] in his book ''A New Kind of Science'' has stated that the Darwinian theory of evolution has, in recent years, "increasingly been applied outside of biology."<ref>http://www.wolframscience.com/nksonline/page-14-text?firstview=1</ref>
And yet, as noted above, International food authority Andrew Zimmern said of Britain's food: “Twenty years ago the food of the British Isles was universally considered to be among the world’s worst—boring, bland and boiled.”<ref>[http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2012/03/five-myths-about-british-food Five myths about British food]</ref>
Britain's scientific community, despite having over 100 years post Charles Darwin, failed to substantially improve Britain's food science practices and <big>'''biology'''</big> is an integral part of food science.
In addition, Britain's evolutionists staunchly defend [[evolutionism]] despite its major and numerous flaws (See: [http://creation.com/15-questions 15 questions for evolutionists] and [[Evolution|Problems with evolutionary theory]]).
On the other hand, the United States which has the highest rate of [[creationism]] in the developed world and a long history of significant immigration, likely has a much greater plentitude of flavorful, ethnic restaurants such as Mexican, Italian, Japanese, French, Greek, Thai, Spanish, Indian and Mediterranean restaurants than Britain - despite Britain having a history of a lot of bland food.<ref>[https://blogs.voanews.com/all-about-america/2015/05/18/top-10-most-popular-ethnic-cuisines-in-us/ Top 10 Most Popular Ethnic Cuisines in US]</ref> For example, [[London]], one of Britain's most ethnic cities has about 200 restaurants per capita while [[New York City]] has 300 restaurants per capita ([[Paris]], France has about 365 restaurants per capita).<ref>[http://www.worldcitiescultureforum.com/data/number-of-restaurants-per-100.000-population Number of restaurants per 100,000 population]</ref> On top of this, a great many of the ethnic restaurants in London are run by religious immigrants from Africa, the Carribean, Turkey, Poland, and Latino countries and and are definitely not atheists.<ref>[https://www.eatingeurope.com/blog/ethnic-food-in-london/ Ethnic food in London]</ref>
==Notes and references==
