America turning Islamic?

[Karlin]

Many Americans have converted to Islam in the past five years. Women in the USA are starting to wear the veil and adhere to Islamic traditions.

These are NOT recent immigrants from Arab nations, these are people born in the USA.

English translations of the Koran head the American best-seller list...

I seriously doubt that this is because they feel they will be spared in terrorist attacks if they convert. Islam seems to appeal to Americans, and since 9/11 there has been a real upsurge in interest in that.

I do not want to guess why. Maybe the War on Terror is so disgusting to them that they want to separate themselves from the Bush doctrines.

Although I am glad that there are fewer and fewer christians on America - thru conversion to Islam and by rejection of religion altogether - I am not heartened to see that religion is still so popular.
Atheism in the USA grew from 8% in 1990 to 15% in 2001, so that helps a bit. I have a true distaste for religion, so much un-holy trouble starts there. Sex abuse and wars and Crusades - one of which we may be witnessing right now, Bush-Christian radicals crusade on Islam - are often related to religion.

In any case, it was very surprising for me to read that so many Americans convert to Islam since 9/11.
Anyone out there have an idea why?

Karlin



----------------links and quotes:

34,000 Americans have converted to Islam following the events of September 11, and this is the highest rate reached in the U.S. since Islam arrived there.

"
http://sultan.org/articles/convert.html

at least 5 million people in North America claim Islam as their religion and/or practice

http://www.islam101.com/history/population2_usa.html

 

[Dexter Sinister]

America turning Islamic? Don't think so. 34,000 converts in five years, 6800 a year, in a total population of over 300 million: 0.02% per year, 0.1% change in five years. Five million Muslims in North America, in a total population of over 400 million, less than 1.2%; not much of a trend.

 

[I think not]

America turning Islamic? Don't think so. 34,000 converts in five years, 6800 a year, in a total population of over 300 million: 0.02% per year, 0.1% change in five years. Five million Muslims in North America, in a total population of over 400 million, less than 1.2%; not much of a trend.

And most of them live around my block, so I agree with Dex.

 

[gopher]

I do not believe that these numbers necessarily reflect a large trend. Still, it is significant that most evangelical churches and other traditional forms of Christianity are reporting lower church attendance and membership. Muslims make no such report.

Still, I have read that there has been a growing trend in non-traditional home based churches. In these, people simply conduct their services at home with family, friends, neighbors, and other interested persons. Interestingly, this is how church services were conducted in New Testament times. So, technically, this is nothing new.

 

[tamarin]

Far more important is the drift to gangsta rap and culture. The genre is riding a tidal wave of popularity as tribalism and primitivism engulf North American streets. Islam and Christianity don't stand a chance.

 

[gangstalking]

I think people just want the decipline. I think as some things about society become more liberal, people want what they see as traditional values.

Eg. For some reason there is a lower divorce rate, families seem to stay together, and they seem to have a lot of community. Also many modern day issues that christianity has decided to debate are still just taboo in their religion.

I think that could account for some of the growth. Also the appeal of a more moderate culture might appeal to some America women who are not down with the whole modern day sexualisation of women.

 

[gopher]

Today's NY Times reports that there has been an increase in immigration from Islamic countries in recent years. Many of these peoples have larger families than do most American groups and that undoubtedly accounts for some of that growth.

 

[JonB2004]

I do not want to guess why. Maybe the War on Terror is so disgusting to them that they want to separate themselves from the Bush doctrines.

Or maybe, the converts are interested in Islam.

34,000 Americans have converted to Islam following the events of September 11, and this is the highest rate reached in the U.S. since Islam arrived there.

Wow! 34000 converters to Islam over 5 years. What's the big deal? I don't see why you posted this thread. It's a waste of bandwidth.