Is a higher birthrate the solution? - Page 2

Originally posted by: epiphany.

Well, it ain't happening anytime in the near future. There are several other immediate threats to our country. So, I am sorry if I can't see the point behind this 'problem'.

Originally posted by: souro

But can you be sure of India remaining secular if Muslims increase their proportion to a stage where they are the dominant religion or at least have equal representation in the population as Hindus?

Given the historical and current examples, it sounds very optimistic.

Originally posted by: QuietlyLoud

Would you be asking the same if Muslims in the Middle east were as peaceful as Christians in Europe? or say If instead of Muslims, Christians or Jains were increasing to becoming the majority?

Originally posted by: return_to_hades

I pray to God for a scientific miracle that lets us erase God and religion from the human psyche. 😆

I wish people would look for pragmatic solutions to real problems rather than focus on religions. But even if we erased religious differences - race, community, language, caste and other issues always end up creating minority vs. majority battles. It seems challenging to shift the focus from self and ones affiliates to the greater good.

Originally posted by: souro

Several other immediate threats doesn't mean that this 'threat' doesn't exist or doesn't warrant any attention. It's a fallacy of relative privation.

Originally posted by: epiphany.

I don't get how this is a threat at all. Parsis are as good as extinct, the Armenian Christians in India are too. Culturally, sure, big problem, nothing we can do about it. But diminishing numbers of Hindus in the country, how is that a threat just yet? Or is it the competition between number of Muslims and Hindus in the country to you which you are referring?

@Epiphany

I think the threat exists because humans have an innate need to preserve their identity and species. We tend to want our lineage to continue. We have seen cultures, religions, languages, ethnicities die out. We fear the same will happen to our community. It may be some form of psychological immortality.

I think some sort of fear is validated. It becomes a problem only when this perceived threat manifests itself into racism, xenophobia, discrimination etc.

Personally, despite being a Hindu; I'm not too concerned about population levels. I'm more or less non religious. I even do not care whether Muslim, Christian or even Scientology populations increase. My concern though is if the fundamental population is growing. Most progressive Muslims and Christians tend to have normal family sizes. It usually is the highly conservative and fundamental populations that denounce birth control and increase their population. I'm not alarmed or threatened. But I do wonder what the probabilities of a societal shift are. I'd rather not want society to get more conservative.

That being said I don't know how to address the challenge. Increasing population of any group is not feasible as it strains resources. Education is the best bet. However, I'm not sure how effective it would be.

Originally posted by: return_to_hades

Personally, despite being a Hindu; I'm not too concerned about population levels. I'm more or less non religious. I even do not care whether Muslim, Christian or even Scientology populations increase.