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The fastest growing religion refers to the religion whose number of adherents is growing the fastest. Growth can be described in terms of absolute numbers or in terms of percentage growth per year. In terms of absolute numbers the larger religions will dominate, in terms of percentage growth the smaller ones. For example if a religion had only 10 followers a single addition would be a 10% increase, and would therefore dwarf growth rates of the larger religions. Statistics on religious adherence are difficult to gather and often contradictory; statistics for the change of religious adherence are even more so, requiring multiple surveys separated by many years using the same data gathering rules. Worldwide data is more difficult to gather than data on a particular country. Religions can grow in numbers due to conversion or due to population growth (assuming that children take on the religion of their parents). Religions in particular countries can grow due to immigration. Statistics for rates of conversion are the most difficult to gather. There are a large number of people who self-identify themselves as associated to a specific religion, but who are not religiously active. If, for example, asked to choose between Christianity and other religions they would say they were Christians; if asked to choose between Christianity, other religions and "Not religious", they would say "Not religious". In countries with mandatory religions statistics will only reflect the official position of the government. Note that neither absolute numbers of adherents or conversion rates prove the truth of a religion. (See Argumentum ad populum)
Claims to the fastest growing religion Buddhism Falun Gong Christianity Islam Agnosticism|Non-Religious Wicca See Also Trends in Adherence on the Religion page. Demographics of Islam | ||||||||
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