IslandMix

I've heard this claim stated quite a few times and never really paid it much attention until toay. I've often heard it in the context of comparison with Christianity which seems to be losing members as fast as it may claim it gains. The subtle impression Muslim apologists appear to want to give is that because the religion is gaining adherents faster than other religions, then it must be true or provides better benefits as compared to other religions. This takes the path of the argumentum ad populum logical fallacy ("because lots of people follow or believe a thing, then the thing must be true").

Personally I feel that the whole thing is misleading. There is an illusion created because Christianity is losing its grip in once dominant Christian nations in places like Europe. If it were not for the Latin countries and their high birth rates (births into the Catholic faith and growing Fundamentalist movement) and to a lesser degree, black folk, the slide might be even more dramatic. For this reason, overall Christian growth has slowed and as it has, the Muslim growth appears to have increased. In addition, perhaps the apparent growth has something to do with higher birth rates in traditional Muslim dominated countries.

Finally, Islam is more a way of life, something not easy to change. To add to this, in some areas, allegiance to Islam is enforced and to even try to change from its path could be met with severe consequences.

Your thoughts?

Muslims claim that. go to the cia data site and you'll see.

i think Pentecostals are.

In the U.S or "in the world?"

all religion is poison to the soul

Well I know that already. What are your thoughts on the subject at hand though?

the growth of islam is partly due to the failures of christianity

Ok, gotcha.

I would really like to know HOW they come by these numbers
polls?
mosque attendees?

Depends on the factors involved...

I investigated this heavily the first time that I heard it many years ago.

From non-sectarian sources I learned that Islam appears to be the fastest growing religion for a number of reasons. For example, it is, in fact, the fastest growing religion in Europe. Why? Due to IMMIGRATION.

More importantly, the birth rate of Muslims is nearly twice that of non-Muslims. Most Muslims live in Asia (particularly Indonesia) and Africa. In those countries, people are more likely to have huge numbers of children than in the West. Moreover, the majority of these new Muslims are infants. In the majority of cases, they are not allowed to choose a religion so if a Muslim person has a child, that baby is considered a Muslim and will be counted in the number of adherents.

As far as religious conversion goes, Christianity is the fastest growing. Evangelical Christianity is making great inroads in places where one cannot obtain an accurate number like the Middle East and China. Most converts to Islam are women marrying Muslim men, not converts due to a faith-based reason. Even with all of the black Americans seemingly flocking to Islam, their numbers are fairly insignificant as a percentage.

Perfect! Thanks.

Just thought I would add that.