Many people think Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the world. Not true. Islam is growing fast, but Christianity is growing faster. Indeed there are twice as many Christians as Muslims in the world today and the gap is becoming larger. Moreover, Christianity has become the world's only religion that is truly universal.
Islam too has a wide reach, but Islam has only a small presence in the United States, Canada, Central and South America, and Australia. Christianity, by contrast, is strong everywhere in the world except the Middle East. Islam is growing mainly through reproduction, which is to say by Muslims having large families. Christianity is growing both through reproduction and through conversion.
So if Christianity is growing so fast, why don't we see it? Because the growth is occuring mainly in Asia and Africa. The full story is told in What's So Great About Christianity but here are some examples. In 1900 less than 10 percent of Africa was Christian. Now it's around 50 percent. That's an increase from 10 million Christians in 1900 to more than 350 million today. The story is pretty much the same in Asia. China now has an underground church numbering in the tens of millions. In Korea, Christians outnumber Buddhists and, in a remarkable historical reversal, now send missionaries to Europe to convert the natives. Some Asian and African churches have so many members that pastors have to tell people not to come very Sunday, because there is not enough room in the pews.
In a way the new atheism in the West can be understood as an angry backlash against these developments. The new atheists once expected that with modernity religion would simply wither away. It hasn't happened. In fact, the most rapidly-modernizing countries like India and China are ones where religion is booming the most. Consequently the atheists have mobilized a ferocious attack against religion and specifically Christianity, attempting to stop its alarming growth.
The atheist campaign is aggressively and intelligently mounted, but it's not likely to succeed. Mainly this is because atheists have forgotten how to reproduce. What I mean is that the typical secular couple has one child while the typical religious couple in the West has two children and the typical religious couple outside the West has 3-5 children. Guess who is going to own the twenty-first century!
Reader Comments ( Page 10 of 11)
136. After you read this guy's blogs a few times, you have to wonder...who is he trying to convince? Other than promoting his book constantly, he seems to be trying to affirm to himself that Christianity is real and the only true religion...over and over and over again.
I truly do not understand why he is given a national forum here, but that goes for all the aol "bloggers". They are all a waste of time with just nothing to say.
Davidg at 8:55AM on Oct 30th 2007
137. Laura and Pheonix ( Cousin to a chicken I imagine) what's this " for 2000 years" crap your saying. Can't you read what your saying and what I said. And no, the fossil is real, idiot! What's your source UFO magazine. You're just angry cause your evolution religion has so many holes in it you're just reaching for straws. Like I said enjoy your hot afterlife. Some can't be saved and don't want to be. For them there is a place and they will be judged accordingly. Evil is everywhere and takes many forms.
Diana at 9:07AM on Oct 30th 2007
138. I saw a program on Pax tv station a few years back...It was called Ancient Prophecies...In this program there were modern-day prophets...none of them knew each other...but all had the same maps drawn of how the geography of the United States would change...all of them had the same drawings...the states of California, Maine, and the Everglades of Florida were all under water...and up through the state of Georgia, the United States was split half-way up through the country...the program spoke of either a cosmic force or Nuclear force explosion on the north-west coast of Florida...the program also talked about ancient prophecies of the Bible as well as the infamous Nostradamous...the major Prophets in the bible are for example Daniel,Ezekiel, Isaiah and of course there are minor prophets too...the Disciple John wrote the book of Revelation...Infact, you don't want to study Revelation without studying the book of Daniel, because they go hand in hand...the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed! It was quite an interesting program, as the Bible does say that the stars will fall before Jesus comes back!
Bridget at 9:36AM on Oct 30th 2007
139. I forgot to mention that the program also talked about how the government would try to relieve the water levels by bombing certain parts of the ocean, and in doing that, they would flood other countries like Africa,etc.
Bridget at 9:39AM on Oct 30th 2007
140. I am Agnostic, not Atheist. For me, I seek spiritual guidance thru many sources (Divine Inspiriation can be found in many areas, NOT just one 'faith': Quantum Physics, Bible, Buddhism, Astrology, Numerology, and Psychology. I favor Christianity since I was raised Protestant - but have decided to think for myself and explore the other sources I mentioned - to find meaning/answers in my life's journey.
YouTube debates of Dinesh proved that he is indeed a formidable opponent of "Evidence Apostles" (Atheists). Look for yourself!
Follow Your Bliss! ~Joseph Campbell~
Aaron at 10:09AM on Oct 30th 2007
141. Extensive research on the subject of Truth vs. Bull prompts a ravenous leaning toward Islam! You see, Muslim pizza establishments are always generous with toppings: fresh, thick, mouth-watering … and that foreign accent … mmm …. Jewish pizzeria renowned for parsimoniousness … Christian: a crucifying experience.. Atheist? I don’t believe it’s not Mozzarella! So let’s all grab some pizza and beer at Abdul’s and feed the flesh ‘cos the fastest growing religion is HEATHENISM, Baby!!
Carl at 1:52AM on Jan 23rd 2008
142. Reply to Bridget at: 117. I saw a program on Pax tv station a few years back... the program spoke of either a cosmic force or Nuclear explosion on the north-west coast of Florida...It was quite an interesting program, as the Bible does say that the stars will fall before Jesus comes back! (end)
The first problem is (from an atheist's POV) stars are enormous spheres of hydrogen (and a bit of helium) at tremendous temperatures.
The stars CAN'T fall to earth because the earth would be incinerated by the heat long before the FIRST star got anywhere close to the surface. Also, our oceans would become steam and destroy our civilization.
That's what Christianity does to an ordinary brain. Dumbs it down. You have been rewarded in Sunday School for memorizing passages from the Book of Revelations, and if the thought pops into your mind that "stars can't fall to earth," you're intimidated into thinking you were wrong, DOWN is actualy UP, etc.
Revelation is nonsense. Christians (like PAX) edit TV programs to make a certain conclusion APPEAR logical, but if you check the FACTS, you'll see that it's wrong.
Reply to Ronald 107. On Judgment Day, Jesus will be the Judge and there is no defense, because He knows everything and either rewards or punishes people on Judgment Day. We Christians are prepared to meet Jesus, our Lord and Creator.
Again, you're posting NONSENSE.
Judgment Day (when the Son of Man appears) was supposed to take place while some of those who heard Jesus preach were still alive.
We KNOW your prediction is nonsense because the DEADLINE passed about 1,900 years ago. Do you understand why Peter said he was living in "The Last Days"? It was an End of the World cult, and his words were written down about 55 AD, and the world did not end.
This is not difficult stuff. It's not rocket science. It's a Sales Pitch. Con Men making up stuff and telling you exactly what you WANT to hear.
Revelation 12:4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God... and all who dwell on the earth will worship him. If anyone has an ear, let him hear: he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword."
Read this a few times a FIGURE IT OUT.
Why does God allow God's chosen to be murdered?
It's a Sales Pitch... trying to FOOL you... by explaining why Christianity doesn't work.
It says God will allow you to murder your enemies and get your Revenge... when the world ends. It's nonsense. It's a slick Sales Pitch to people who have no other hope, who had to watch their leaders murdered by Roman tyrants.
William Hays at 1:26PM on Oct 30th 2007
143. Mr. Zeh:
"Research the history of Islam if you really want to know about Allah, the Moon God. I'm not an on line librarian. Do the work to resolve your own doubts or suffer the consequences of ignorance."
So you can't back up your claim, I see. It doesn't take any time to say what book you read it in or what the religion was, so that makes it appear like you pulled it out of thin air.
It's pretty easy to make random claims and then say "You go look it up." I guess you're too busy gloating about how you want atheists to burn in hell to have any sort of discourse. Thanks for proving my previous point.
Tem at 2:49PM on Oct 30th 2007
144. Mr. Zeh:
"I'm telling what I know to be true as a Christian."
It's not what you're saying, it's how you say it.
"Whether you accept Christian teachings is a matter between you and God."
Only if your God exists.
"I think what I say about Christianity isn't abrasive."
What you say about Christianity isn't abrasive, it's the insulting way that you say it that is.
"I think the people who find Christianity abrasive are challenging and rejecting God."
I don't find Christianity abrasive. I don't reject your God. I don't believe that your God exists. If I were to reject it, I would have to first believe in it.
"God has all the power and the glory. Your glory comes from serving Him."
I don't care about power and glory.
"God is not up there in Heaven wringing His hands in consternation because people disobey and reject Him."
I agree with you here, but I'd drop everything after the word "there."
Tem at 2:55PM on Oct 30th 2007
145. Once again you all must be reminded that this Republic was founded on Judeo- Christian values. I suggest all you unhappy one cell believers move to North Korea. They don't allow God in their country.
We'd be better off with out you. As Christians our beliefs are stead fast. Nothing you say will change that. We know the truth. We have no emptiness in our hearts that seek us to go on such rampages as I've seen here from you non-beleivers. Your hostility shows the void you have. I feel sorry for you. Your judgement day will come. In the mean time if you don't like the values of 89% of America-MOVE!!
Diana at 8:11AM on Oct 31st 2007
146. HI EVERY ONE , JUST THINK YOU HAVE GONE BACK IN TIME AND THERE YOU SEE ,MOSES,JESUS AND MOHAMMAD STANDING TOGATHER SOROUNDED BY 1000'S OF PEOPLE.YOU JOIN IN AND POSE A QUESTAIN TO ALL THREE ,YOU ASK SIR ,MASTER WHAT IS YOUR RELIGION? WELL THINK DEEP WILL MOSES SAY A JEW AND WOULD JESUS SAY HE IS A CHRISTAIN,NO CERTENLY NOT HE WOULD NEVER SAY HE IS A CHRISTIAN BECAUSE HE COULD NOT BE FOLLOWING HIMSELF THE CHRISTAND NEITHER WOULD BE MOSES.THEN CAME THE TURN OF MOHAMMAD PBH WELL EVEN YOU KNOW WAT HE SAID I AM A MUSLIM ,MEANING I SUBMIT MY SELF TO THE WILL OF ALMIGHTY,DONT YOU THINK MOSES AND JESUS PBH SUBMITTED THEMSELVES TO THE WILL OF ALMIGHTY? NO DAUGHT THEY MOST CERTINLY DID.SO THEY WERE MUSLIMS AS WELL AS ADAM,NOAHA,JACOB, LOT,JAONA,ARON,IDREES AND ALL THE OTHER PROPHETS. SO IF YOU ARE THE FOLOWERS OF THESE PROPHETS THEN YOU SHOULD ALSO AND BE PROUD TO CALL YOURSELVES MUSLIMS.D D YOU AS A WRITER SHOULD BE FAIR ,ONE IS ONLY BIASED WHEN ONE CAN NOT FIND A SOLUTION TO A PROBLUM IN ONE'S OWEN RELIGION AND REBUKE IT AT ANY CAST IF YOU SEE THE ANSWERS IN OTHER FAITH , ISLAM AS WELL BEING A PEACEFUL FAITH GIVES ANSWERS TO ALL YOUR ILLS.IT GIVES YOU OVER ALL THE RIGHT TO DEFEND YOUR SELF, BECAUSE IF YOU ARE THEN SO IS ISLAM.YOU ARE TO TURN YOUR OTHER CHEEK, WELL WHY DID YOU NOT DO THAT IN FIRST AND SECOND WORLD WARS AND INFACT APPLIED THE LAW OF ISLAM BY DEFANDING YOURSELVES.I HOPE YOU ARE ALL AWARE THAT ISLAM IS NOW OFFICIALY THE SECOND LARGEST FAITH IN ALL THE EUORPIAN COUNTRIES,IN AUSTRALIA,AND THE USA.THIS IS DESPITE THE 100% NEGATIVE,MISLED,FABERICATED AND CRUEL MEDIA COMPAIN.MUSLIMS ARE THE MOST HYGENIC PEOPLE ON EARTH[WASH THEMSELVES 5 TIMES ADAY TO PRAY]MOST CHARATABLE PEOPLE ON EARTH[PAY 2.5%IN CARATY FROM THEIR WEALTH]NO ONE CAN SHOW US A CANDLE IN HOSPITALATY AND SOBROYTY.BIGGEST SOCITY OF TEA TOTALERS IN THE WORLD[DO NOT TOUCH ALCAHOL],YOU SAY MUSLIMS ARE MURDERERS AND MOHAMMAD WAS WAR MONGER,FOR YOUR ADVICE DURING THE LIFE TIME OF PROPHET IN ALL THE BATTLES WITH THE NON BELEVERS ONLY 1018 PEOPLE WERE KILLED YES 1018'''PLEASE COMPARE THIS WITH YOUR GOOD EFFORTS IN THE CRUSADES BLESSED BY YOUR PRIESTS AND KINGS AND QUEENS MILLIONS KILLED IN FIRST AND SECOND WORLD WARS, LOOK WHAT YOU DID IN N AMERICA TO THE POOR NATIVES, IN SOUTH AMEREICA TO INCAS,TO THE POOR PEOPLE OF AUSTERALIA AND NEW ZEALAND,OH SORRY I NEARLY FORGOT WHAT YOU DID IN AFERCIA AND IN INDIA, AND YOU CERTENLY STILL HAVENT GIVEN UP LOOK WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO THE IRAQIES,AFGANISTAN, AND WHO NEXT? YOU SAY SUESIDE BOMBERS I AGREE WITH YOU TO KILL YOURSELF OR TO HARM YOURSELF AND OTHERS IN ISLAM IT IS A MAJOR SIN, WHEN ONE SEES HIS HOUSE BOMBED ,HIS PEARENTS, CHILDERENS BLOWEN TO PIECES, DAUGHETR,WIVES, MOTHERS RAPED,YOU LOOK FOR REVANGE AT ANY CAST , AND THIS WHERE THESE UN ISLAMIC PEOPLE BRAINWASH THEM POOR PEOPLE TO BLOW THEMSELEVES,TO AVANGE.
mennower hussain akhter at 11:31AM on Nov 4th 2007
147. I would like to state what I believe and others as well the truth about Islam/Mohammedanism. First Mohammedanism/Islam is not a religion, never was intended to be. It was created by a totalitarian despot as a means to assist his conquests. Mohammedanism/Islam is an ideology, not a religion. It's history has been one and continues today of conquest, violence, enslavement and intolerance-where it has conquered, a new dark age has settled. I mean no disrespect. I have no ill feelings or desires regarding those who cling to this ideology. However, I am one who desires that the truth and the pure truth be born out, not a sanitized, for the sake of someone's agenda to prevail. For proof, those who disagree please study the past and current history and movements of Mohammedanism/Islam, visit with the Caner brothers, study the nations conquered and conquested by Mohammedanism and see how they fare, their level of civilization, their democratic thinking, their intolerance, their totalitarian rigidity.
Duncan at 10:17AM on Oct 31st 2007
148. I don't know why people think being Christian means you roll over and let a Barbarian murder you! What, are you nuts? Jesus expects us to fight against those who seek the destruction of our faith (Islamists). Jesus is the Son of God. I'm human. And, no, I'm not going to permit ANYONE to kill me because you ignoramuses think all Christianity means is "turn the other cheek."
Stephanie at 10:02AM on Oct 31st 2007
149. Diana @126:
If you don't respect the Constitution enough to realize that everyone doesn't have to think like you, maybe you should be the one to consider moving.
Tem at 3:36PM on Oct 31st 2007
150. Stephanie @127:
"Jesus expects us to fight against those who seek the destruction of our faith (Islamists). "
I'd like to see you cite one example from your Bible where Jesus expected someone to use violence to accomplish something.
Tem at 3:37PM on Oct 31st 2007