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Africa's Christians now outnumber Muslims

CWN - September 24, 2012

African Christians now outnumber the continent’s Muslims, according to figures from the Center for Studies of New Religions (CESNUR).

Speaking at an international conference in Morocco, Massimo Introvigne, the head of CESNUR, observed that “not everyone is happy about this development.” Islamic fundamentalists in particular are dismayed to see the rising tide of Christianity in Africa.

Christians now comprise 46.5% of the African population, with Muslims accounting for 40.5% and the remainder divided among traditional African faiths. Africans now represent 20% of the world’s Christian population, and current trends suggest that within a decade Africa will outstrip Europe and the Americas to become the continent with the world’s largest Christian population.

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  • Posted by: John Chrysostom - Sep. 24, 2012 5:40 PM ET USA

    Most Muslims are good people with a general belief in God but who know little of the theology of Islam. They are ripe for conversion. The best tool for conversion is for Christians to live the Christian life and for those of us outside Africa to give them as much assistance as we can. [Of course, America is also ripe for conversion, but that's another story.]

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