Islam and Evangelizing

Get Religion has a post highlighting the difference between Christian and Islamic approaches to evangelizing. Christian states ("The West") have open societies and with a (relatively) free market in religion. Islamic states have closed societies where only Islam is permitted and Christian preaching, Christian churches, and Christian literature are all proscribed or strongly discouraged. As the article points out, Islam is on the rise in Christian states, whereas Christianity is in decline even where it is permitted. Obviously this picture cheers those who favor the spread of Islam and gives pause to those of us who value liberty. I ought to have something to add about Mormonism here (an aggressively evangelistic Christian denomination) but nothing leaps to mind.

Comments

[Steve Evans]

Dave, that's an extremely interesting conversation you reference, but like you I can't bring Mormonism into it. One can't but help be jealous of the spread of Islam compared to Christianity.

[Clark Goble]

While Christianity as a whole isn't increasing, conservative American Christianity is. (i.e. the more fundamentalist strains and, until recently, us)

[lyle]

Dave: A few possible thoughts,

1. Social pressure. Evangelical, Mormon, & Muslim social groups/churches all tend to put alot of social pressure on the individual. Why stay in? Cuz yo
ur friends/family do.

2. They also tend to be more communitarian. So, there are probably benefits to group membership & built in support.

3. For immigrants coming to W. Society, there is also the immigration/socio-cultural argument that they are trying to "retain" their old identity while "profiting" from the better economic situation.

Don't really know how these play out/how much traction they have, but...they seem possible reasons.