Even if all migration into Europe were to immediately and permanently stop – a “zero migration” scenario – the Muslim population of Europe still would be expected to rise from the current level of 4.9% to 7.4% by the year 2050. This is because Muslims are younger (by 13 years, on average) and have higher fertility (one child more per woman, on average) than other Europeans, mirroring a global pattern.
So the most pessimistic projections shows that Muslims will comprise about one in fourteen Europeans? And that's not a very realistic projection, because Muslims will age and will become more prosperous, both of which will lower the fertility rate.
Hysteria is rarely a good substitute for rational thought.
You said it.
Case in point, one of my various Muslim friends.
His Greek wife had converted to Islam from a basically Greek Orthodox position (in word mostly).
But she was just too American in her ways.
Two children later, they ended up divorced.
He was raised here, so it was not much of an issue for him, beyond the usual issues any divorce can bring about.
In contrast, his old man all but dis-owned him, for having allowed the divorce.
On the other side of it all, his younger sons have moved from the Middle East with their mom, to be with him, here in the states.
As we North Americans say, when we are thrown by something "what the - what was that all about!"
For the two boys arrive in the states and from day one are all about YouTube this, and Facebook that, and football, basketball, and McDonald's, and fast cars.
Their old man is now beside himself. He actually broke down in tears about it all.
His grandchild, well, he's even worse - he now goes by the name "Little Mo."
I mean, the name Muhammad is a great honor for them.
I told him that is how life is - that often (though some on TOL obviously prove otherwise) each generation tends to want less of the ways of prior generations.
How that at one time, the governments and peoples of countries like Great Britain; France; Spain; Japan; Italy; and Germany had all been our mortal enemies.
And that now, each is our ally, more or less - especially their people - and their kids even more so.
Is it war we believe in; is this what we want for our children, I asked him.
I have friends from some those countries now - close friends.
And you know that Japan's war had partly been a religious war; which was their suicide bombers, and why they had refused to surrender and so on - their belief that their Emperer was Devine.
Is this what we want for our children, I asked him again.
If so, you're simply too late, I said - your children and even your grandchildren have been too impressed with the voice of "the individual" that is America.
After a while, he smiled, this great man who together with his own ever evolving culture, I have been so privileged to know all these years.
He tapped me on my knee, and said "I have much to learn, Dano..."
I said to him, what about Little Mo?
"Yes," he said "Lih..Little Mo, too..."
Off we went to one heck of a Persian restaurant to eat all sorts of amazing foods.
Lol - Little Mo kept insisting we stop at a McDonald's, on the way home...
Ten to one, the little guy got his Happy Meal :thumb:
THIS is MY...ALREADY GREAT AMERICA!