Muslims more numerous than Catholics

[morocco4ever 63]

I didn't know you weren't Christian (didn't see that pointed out in the post). I stand corrected.

[adam75 0]

You may have outnumbered Catholics but there are still millions of Protestants, Baptists,

Lutherans, Mormons, Presbyterians, Methodists, Pentecostals and other Christian

denominations.

We can Crusade the ####### out of you any time.

Either that or preach you to death.

http://www.55a.net/firas/english/?page=sho...;select_page=11

[cieloazul 0]

Seems like daoists, buddists and hindus should have a say here.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

It's always interesting to see the variety of preconceived notions that influence how one interprets what has been posted.

Edited April 2, 2008 by Virtual wife

[Yoink 7]

Muslims included in this story are all branches, sects, spin-offs, etc. but it is not including all christians denominations.

The rise in Muslims numbers are from higher birthrates in Muslim countries compared to Christian ones... not because more people are converting to Islam.

More people live in Mexico City than there are the number of people of my faith in the world.... so I don't really care about who has more as long as everyone is tolerant of my beliefs

[Jason-Sasha 1]

Who gives a damn?? Is it really such a big competition? If this matters to you, then you have issues.

[Imua 0]

"First the Bible, then the merchants, then the cannon"

Prithvi Narayan Shah, former king of Nepal

Aggressive proselytizing, whether Christian or Muslim, should be outlawed the way it was in Nepal until it became a 'secular' nation in '06. There should be no 'competition' as to faith, no 'winning souls'. People should just be free to choose and practice whatever religion they like. Cultures like the Hawaiians have been nearly destroyed through the actions of missionaries. If you want to be a 'missionary' then be one through your attitude and actions - people will want to know the secret to your happiness. HH the Dalai Lama has never once said that he wants anyone to convert to Buddhism yet thousands have been converted through his example. I guess it's just easier to knock on someone's door or shove a tract in their face when they're trying to get to work on the subway??? Or challenge someone's faith when that person is simply trying to make a purchase at a store(this has happened to me with Pakistani Muslims)? Or to not honor a legal contract you have entered into because on second thought it goes against your 'Christian conscience'?

[Imua 0]

From site: God Wars

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Rhodes/3991/mission.html

It is clear that we face the elimination of much of humanity’s religious diversity in the next century due to the dominance of the two Jealous-God religions. We have a lot to lose if these intolerant ideologies are allowed to dominate the world. An effort must be made to protest all unfair conversions that are based on force, or economic or social pressure, or a huge disparity in advertising budgets (including charity “bribes”). This is not an argument against conversion itself; Buddhism for example has been a very successful missionary religion while avoiding these unethical tactics for most of its history; and every religion, even those that today restrict themselves to a single ethnic group, at one time had to spread from person to person. Conversion between worldviews is part of the human experience. But just like a Mafia business violates the ideal of ethical capitalism, or a One-Party Regime’s election violates the spirit of democracy, the current tactics of Christianity and Islam are unethical and must be reformed if we are ever to have a free and fair exchange of spiritual ideas. Otherwise, we can never consider the adoption of an idea by a majority of a nation’s people to be based on the merits of the idea instead of the ruthlessness of whatever combination of power and propaganda that was used to spread it.

[Alex & Rachel 78]

"First the Bible, then the merchants, then the cannon"

Prithvi Narayan Shah, former king of Nepal

Aggressive proselytizing, whether Christian or Muslim, should be outlawed the way it was in Nepal until it became a 'secular' nation in '06. There should be no 'competition' as to faith, no 'winning souls'. People should just be free to choose and practice whatever religion they like. Cultures like the Hawaiians have been nearly destroyed through the actions of missionaries. If you want to be a 'missionary' then be one through your attitude and actions - people will want to know the secret to your happiness. HH the Dalai Lama has never once said that he wants anyone to convert to Buddhism yet thousands have been converted through his example. I guess it's just easier to knock on someone's door or shove a tract in their face when they're trying to get to work on the subway??? Or challenge someone's faith when that person is simply trying to make a purchase at a store(this has happened to me with Pakistani Muslims)? Or to not honor a legal contract you have entered into because on second thought it goes against your 'Christian conscience'?

Beautifully stated, especially the line I've bolded. I find preaching in the street or the eager pushiness of some religious people embarrassing and intrusive; by contrast I've also known some religious people who have managed to do exactly as you say and I think they are far more impressive and convincing.

[anya-D 8]

From site: God Wars

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Rhodes/3991/mission.html

It is clear that we face the elimination of much of humanity's religious diversity in the next century due to the dominance of the two Jealous-God religions. We have a lot to lose if these intolerant ideologies are allowed to dominate the world. An effort must be made to protest all unfair conversions that are based on force, or economic or social pressure, or a huge disparity in advertising budgets (including charity "bribes"). This is not an argument against conversion itself; Buddhism for example has been a very successful missionary religion while avoiding these unethical tactics for most of its history; and every religion, even those that today restrict themselves to a single ethnic group, at one time had to spread from person to person. Conversion between worldviews is part of the human experience. But just like a Mafia business violates the ideal of ethical capitalism, or a One-Party Regime's election violates the spirit of democracy, the current tactics of Christianity and Islam are unethical and must be reformed if we are ever to have a free and fair exchange of spiritual ideas. Otherwise, we can never consider the adoption of an idea by a majority of a nation's people to be based on the merits of the idea instead of the ruthlessness of whatever combination of power and propaganda that was used to spread it.

I'm your fan

[DeadPoolX 9]

It's always interesting to see the variety of preconceived notions that influence how one interprets what has been posted.

I don't think Mawilson is working off "preconceived notions" here; at least not entirely. This study is flawed in its presentation. It says "Islam outnumbers Roman Catholicism," right? Well, that's probably accurate; however, Roman Catholicsm is a denomination of Christianity, whereas Islam is the entire religion as a whole.

That's basically comparing apples to oranges. It'd be like saying Sunni or Shi'a Islam (by themselves) outnumbers all of Christianity, which we know they don't. So in order for this study to be accurate -- and the least bit fair -- it'd need to compare either individual denominations of each religion or both religions (with all denominations combined) against each other. Otherwise, the results would be skewed.

[Mags 112]

It's always interesting to see the variety of preconceived notions that influence how one interprets what has been posted.

So, was this a test then? Were you baiting the members of VJ?

Perhaps if you just answered the question that has been asked of you numerous times, regarding your intent on posting "we're getting there!", then we wouldn't have the varied amount of "preconceived notions" that are being voiced in this thread.

Personally, I don't care how many of each religion there are. People should be free to follow whatever they wish, especially His noodley goodness, the flying spaghetti monster.

[*julez* 124]

I Mags.

[Sister Fracas 5]

"First the Bible, then the merchants, then the cannon"

Prithvi Narayan Shah, former king of Nepal

Aggressive proselytizing, whether Christian or Muslim, should be outlawed the way it was in Nepal until it became a 'secular' nation in '06. There should be no 'competition' as to faith, no 'winning souls'. People should just be free to choose and practice whatever religion they like. Cultures like the Hawaiians have been nearly destroyed through the actions of missionaries. If you want to be a 'missionary' then be one through your attitude and actions - people will want to know the secret to your happiness. HH the Dalai Lama has never once said that he wants anyone to convert to Buddhism yet thousands have been converted through his example. I guess it's just easier to knock on someone's door or shove a tract in their face when they're trying to get to work on the subway??? Or challenge someone's faith when that person is simply trying to make a purchase at a store(this has happened to me with Pakistani Muslims)? Or to not honor a legal contract you have entered into because on second thought it goes against your 'Christian conscience'?

I'm your fan

me too...

People should be free to follow whatever they wish, especially His noodley goodness, the flying spaghetti monster.

RAmen!

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

It's always interesting to see the variety of preconceived notions that influence how one interprets what has been posted.

I don't think Mawilson is working off "preconceived notions" here; at least not entirely. This study is flawed in its presentation. It says "Islam outnumbers Roman Catholicism," right? Well, that's probably accurate; however, Roman Catholicsm is a denomination of Christianity, whereas Islam is the entire religion as a whole.

That's basically comparing apples to oranges. It'd be like saying Sunni or Shi'a Islam (by themselves) outnumbers all of Christianity, which we know they don't. So in order for this study to be accurate -- and the least bit fair -- it'd need to compare either individual denominations of each religion or both religions (with all denominations combined) against each other. Otherwise, the results would be skewed.

well said