Bill Maher Spells It Out

[abaris]

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/201...ous-group/

Interestingly, they make the same claim, but in favor of Islam: "The main reasons for Islam’s growth ultimately involve simple demographics."

You know, 1.4 billions of people. Out of - what's our overall number right now - at least more than 8 billions. China alone comes close to the numbers of muslims. I don't see you fretting over them, although they're buying resources and companies left, right and center.

Simplistic argument stays simplistic. Demographics are in favor of Asia and not the Middle East.

[Thumpalumpacus]

... not to mention the fact that as numbers of nonbelieving parents grow, the number of indoctrinated children shrinks.

Time and demographics are working against religion.

Only if nonbelievers produce enough children. If they don't, then you'll just be swapping out Christianity for Islam.

Doubtful here in America, where the culture itself provides a counterbalance as well, and where Muslims are a miniscule proportion of the population, probably smaller than atheists.

I'm not afraid; I think the good ideas win out. How about you?

[abaris]

Doubtful here in America, where the culture itself provides a counterbalance as well, and where Muslims are a miniscule proportion of the population, probably smaller than atheists.

Isn't the number of declared atheists already at 13 percent with non religious making up an even larger proportion? Way to go for muslims, who, far as I know, are at three percent in the USA.

[Arkilogue]

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/201...ous-group/

Interestingly, they make the same claim, but in favor of Islam: "The main reasons for Islam’s growth ultimately involve simple demographics."

You know, 1.4 billions of people. Out of - what's our overall number right now - at least more than 8 billions. China alone comes close to the numbers of muslims. I don't see you fretting over them, although they're buying resources and companies left, right and center.

Simplistic argument stays simplistic. Demographics are in favor of Asia and not the Middle East.

Do the Chinese take 4-8 wives and have several children with each?

[Arkilogue]

If I become a Christian tomorrow, do I have to apologize for the Inquisition?

Yes.

Is there a similar list of past offenses that atheists are responsible for by proxy?

[abaris]

Do the Chinese take 4-8 wives and have several children with each?

Simplistic argument stays simplistic. Wanna bet on population growth, as far as Asia versus the Middle East is concerned. A bet I'm taking anytime you like.

[Arkilogue]

[Arkilogue]

[abaris]

Atheists make up 3.1% - The 2015 Pew Religious Landscape survey reported that as of 2014 , 22.8% of the American population is religiously unaffiliated, atheists made up 3.1% and agnostics made up 4% of the US population.

Religiously unaffilated means they're not subscribing to any of the larger religious believes. That can range from Wiccan over New Age to nothing at all or not giving a shit. In my country that number is at 59 percent. Fun fact, 63 percent are still members of the Catholic church, according to similar polls. In any case, it's a fifth of the American population not attending traditional services with all strings attached.

[Thumpalumpacus]

You know, 1.4 billions of people. Out of - what's our overall number right now - at least more than 8 billions. China alone comes close to the numbers of muslims. I don't see you fretting over them, although they're buying resources and companies left, right and center.

Simplistic argument stays simplistic. Demographics are in favor of Asia and not the Middle East.

Do the Chinese take 4-8 wives and have several children with each?

Most Muslims don't, in my experience. The income simply isn't there for them in the countries they live in. And in nations where there is the income, the birthrate almost always declines.

One thing I learnt in PhysAnth back in college was that there's a pretty close inverse relationship between poverty and birthrate. Poorer people tend to have more children (suspected to be a hedge in order to increase family income by providing more working hands in the house, or a hedge against living out one's old age with little or no support). Bottom line: the richer the country, the smaller the family size.

In other words, less to do with religion than economics.