Jenkins: Fears of Islamization of Europe are exaggerated
April 25, 2011
Philip Jenkins, author of The New Anti-Catholicism: The Last Acceptable Prejudice and The Next Christendom: The Rise of Global Christianity, argues that fears of the Islamization of Europe are misplaced.
“No one should underestimate the real dangers from subversion and terrorism on European soil, but the demographic issue is quite separate,” he writes. “If we look at the size of Europe's Muslim population today--and how it is projected to grow over time--then the Eurabian nightmares look ludicrous.”
Currently, 4.6% of Europe’s population is Muslim. “By the late 21st century, people of Muslim origin could account for as much as 15 or 20 percent of Europe's people, but that will represent a plateau,” he says.
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Posted by: TheJournalist64 -
Apr. 25, 2011 8:08 PM ET USA
The real problem is that Christianity has lost its influence in Europe. Secularism cannot promise anything transcendental, so, if you reject the Christian solution, you are left with aggressive Muslim proselytizing. Jenkins is being too optimistic.
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Posted by: rpp -
Apr. 25, 2011 7:36 PM ET USA
If one looks only at immigration, then perhaps he may be right. Unfortunately, I think that the loss of Christian identity will lead many to adopt (convert to) Islam out of a genuine, but misguided, search for God.
