Take a look at this Harris poll:
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=707
Islam isn't even on the radar, but atheism went from 15% to 18% in just the past three years! That's 1% a year, so in just a generation, the US will be majority-atheist.
Further, the younger and more educated you are, the less you believe in God. Only 66% of those 18 – 24 believe in God, and only 60% of people 25 – 29 believe in God. 40% of generation X is atheist!
Given these trends, why would one speculate that Islam, not atheism, will by the religion (or rather, lack of religion) for the future?
2006-12-14 05:58:18 · 16 answers · asked by STFU Dude 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
covered beauty -- islam may be the festest growing RELIGION, but atheism (at least in the US) appears to be the fastest growing belief system. Atheism is not generally considered a religion.
2006-12-14 06:04:18 · update #1
I never thought Islam would become a majority in the U.S.
Especially with all the hateful things that most US citizens say about Muslims/Islam. I myself, don't care what the majority is, since everyone has a right to practice what they want to.
Also, I will never refer to myself as a part of a "trend" or "belief system". I don't believe in anything but myself, so calling myself an Atheist comes only with the lack of my belief in a god.
2006-12-14 06:02:00 · answer #1 · answered by Heck if I know! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Islam would claim the 'honour' and this is understandable when they are breeding fast and the offspring have no choice BUT to become muslim. The children are effectively forced into the system. Other belief systems do something similar, of course, indoctrinating the children into the parents' choice but these children do not fear the threat of death if they decide not to partake. Globally, atheism is definitely growing very fast but, as we atheists do not concentrate on brainwashing our kids into one lifestyle or another or with a sword poised over their necks if they ask too many questions, the rate of growth is a little slower. You are right in that there are more and more atheists turning up on these pages. We are not afraid to speak out against the archaic god-concept and a lot of us are not from the bible-belt of the anomaly in the western world that is the US. North-west Europe is the hub of the most-atheist countries and the third world is the centre of the most religious. Where does this place the US? As a third-world country.
2016-05-24 03:53:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Although the percentage of Muslims may be growing they still have a lot of catching up to do to get close to the number of Christians. Even worldwide where Christians only account for a third of the population and Muslims about 20%. That might not seem like much of a percentage difference but it is millions of people.
I would doubt if Islam would ever reach a point in the US where it would even be the predominant religion. Probably not Atheism either for that matter.
It is just right now Islam is the news a lot.
2006-12-14 06:13:19 · answer #3 · answered by Sage Bluestorm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Agnosticism seems to be growing the fastest. Many people in my generation (gen Y) seem to be of the idea that you can't prove God but you also can't disprove God.
Atheists and Christians can have their "yes there is" "no there isn't" fight till the end of time. Until there is some proof to back either opinion up, I don't see the convert numbers growing exponentially
2006-12-14 06:13:26 · answer #4 · answered by Miss. Bliss 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I may have just missed it, but while it looks like the percentages are improving, doesn't it say that just 11% do not believe in God?
Still, that's good news. I thought the percentage was less than half of that. Perhaps there is some hope for us after all.
2006-12-14 06:03:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My guess is fear. We have such a zenophobic country right now that one Muslim moving in next door and a cousin's wife's Mary Kay rep converting seems like a takeover.
But you're right. Schools are pouring money into Mandarin education (China is a rising star!) and into Arabic language. I don't have a problem with the languages...I have a problem with the government wasting money on being short-sighted!
2006-12-14 06:03:12 · answer #6 · answered by shannonscorpio 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Athiesm is the fastest growing in the usa. Islam is the fastest growing in the world. It stil doesnt make sense for americans to fear america becoming a muslim state. I have never understood the majority of broad based american perspectives. Their society tends to breed fear and intolerance for anything they do not know much about. I think this has begun to change lately, though not fast enough to
2006-12-14 06:12:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You're right, atheism is growing very quickly. Here is an organization of non-believers, also growing very quickly!!!
http://www.the-brights.net/
I bet many religious people will be upset about this! It is a group of people only united in their non-belief of supernatural things like gods.
2006-12-14 06:46:51 · answer #8 · answered by Brendan 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
u have the wrong info buddy. check the latest poll. islam is the fastest growing religion in the world.
2006-12-14 06:01:41 · answer #9 · answered by covered beauty 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Non-religious people tend to have many less children. It is not often you see an atheist couple with 16 kids.
2006-12-14 06:09:47 · answer #10 · answered by Sara 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋