Here's an interesting article about the link between religion and having children. Various sociologists have written that much of the social changes that we associate with religion can be linked to differential rates of child-bearing by religion. Since kids tend to have the same religious beliefs as their parents, the religions in which people have the most kids would stand of a good chance of growing the most.
It turns out that the religiously unaffiliated tend to have relatively low reproduction rates, which might limit the spread of this approach. Put differently, some conservative religions take seriously the command to go forth and multiply.
"The commandment to “be fruitful and multiply” the Krishevsky family follows quite closely. Last Saturday, the great grandmother, Rachel Krishevsky passed away at the age of 99, leaving behind no less than 1,400 children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren."
There is an irony that most discussion about changes in religion in society focus on debating points, but a much more simple process might be a driving force.
Thanks John.
It turns out that the religiously unaffiliated tend to have relatively low reproduction rates, which might limit the spread of this approach. Put differently, some conservative religions take seriously the command to go forth and multiply.
"The commandment to “be fruitful and multiply” the Krishevsky family follows quite closely. Last Saturday, the great grandmother, Rachel Krishevsky passed away at the age of 99, leaving behind no less than 1,400 children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren."
There is an irony that most discussion about changes in religion in society focus on debating points, but a much more simple process might be a driving force.
Thanks John.
3 comments:
Could it be attributed to the (presumed) fact that athiests tend to be higher educated and educated people tend to have fewer children? I know you have often written about the casual assumption that correlation = causation.
Yes, and many religions also teach "no sex till marriage," so they get married and start having children at a younger age than secularists.
God bless the fact that atheists are choosing of their own free will NOT to have as many kids as religionists, especially in light of the current population of the planet and how many natural resources each person consumes and leaves behind as pollution. Still waiting for religionists to catch on and start promoting less children instead of more. Not likely as religions need the worshippers and the money and they are sure God will bless every child that is born and the cultures that give birth to them as well, rather than practicing any form of population control responsibility.
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