Starting to imagine that all this muslim talk in the U.S. might result in more atheism....

[lindysalsagal]

This is all speculation, not a prediction or a certainty.

Listening to Melissa on MSNBC this morning, and noting how, all of a sudden, americans are hearing about islam 24/7, I'm starting to imagine that this may do real harm to christian followings.

I know there's no proof of it yet: It's too soon, anyway. And, this is very generalized speculation here: I'm not claiming this to be a perfect scenario, not by a long shot.

But here's my logic: Many people first begin questioning their childhood religious imprints when other religions are brought into common culture. People tend to follow the crowd until something interrupts the consistent onslaught of "what we're all accustomed to." As children, the idea that there is any other way to be is hidden from many of us.

I know, NOT ALL OF US. Please don't attack based simply on the fact that this is an over-generalization. I fully admit this is speculation in very generalized terms. OF COURSE there will be exceptions. No doubt of that, so, no need to hit me over the head with it.

It is possible that by hearing about all of the really objectionable tenets in the jihaddist wing of islam, christians might look at their own tenets with equally skeptical eyes, for the first time.

I think it is quite common for many americans who identify as christians to have their own doubts, especially in the wake of the catholic priest scandal. Meat used to be forbidden on fridays....intermarriage used to be more shocking...Divorce was shameful even in an abusive marriage....Gay marriage was unthinkable just a few years ago. There have always been little cracks in the veneer of traditional U.S. christianity.

I'm starting to wonder if this new daily focus on this controversial set of foreign dogmas might just serve to enlarge the cracks in the veneer that might have already existed in some "believers."

Our 21st century small world may be the undoing of some very very old tribalistic underpinnings.....

Not making any claims of certainty, here. Just wondering...

[Brainstormy]

1. seems reasonable to me

and I hope you're right.

[Cartoonist]

2. Other consequences

It may force some to choose. And they may choose xianity.

It may drive fundamentalists even more mental.

Islam may win in the long haul.

[trotsky]

5. Your middle sentence is my greatest worry. n/t

[RussBLib]

3. and some xtians could switch to Islam

The way women are treated as second-class citizens in Islam might just be appealing for some of the Neanderthal Hillbillies.

But I doubt that much is going to cause most xtians to actually READ their Bible. To me, that's one of the most reliable ways to produce more atheists. That, and thinking.

[lindysalsagal]

7. I don't know about that....

But you're right: They won't start reading that doorstop.

[whatthehey]

4. Plausible for the introspective and rational believers

but my cynical mind wonders how many are left who can apply those attributes to religious faith who haven't already, and if they have already.... why are they still religious?

Unfortunately another common human reaction when presented with "the other" is to bind more closely with "the us" in a "my country (religion) right or wrong" deal.

Needless to say I prefer your scenaro, but suspect wewill see some of each.

[mountain grammy]

6. We can only hope.