"Mohammed is set to overtake Jack as the most popular boys' name in Britain as a result of the high birth rate in Muslim families, which is driving the British population to a record high."
According to The Telegraph.
One of the issues that this brings to my mind is not the high rate of foreigners coming to the UK (this saves us from having to travel to them to reach them for Christ), but of the decline in our own attitude to having children. As our society has changed, the expectations of youthful shenanigans extending from teenage years on into 20's and 30's along with a focus on careers, has brought a decline in the attitude towards having children, putting child-birth off for a more convenient time, or not at all.
Today's children will be the adults, business men/women, politicians, leaders etc of tomorrow. So in 30-40 years from now the UK will find itself being directed by 'Mohammed' rather than 'Jack'!
Now, I have nothing against foreigners, nor their religions etc (I believe in religious freedom), but it is a concern that this may lead to an oppression of other faiths and religions and the oppression of women that we see in so many of the eastern 'Islamic' and 'Muslim' cultures.
So what are my thoughts?
Well for one I AM NOT saying that any restrictions should be made on any people group having children; children are always a blessing from God.
My thoughts are that Christian's and our pulpits need to uplift the value of childbirth, and of the value of children's ministries along with the training, teaching and discipling of children that there may be a group of Christians who are strong in the Lord within the Church of tomorrow.
AND
That outreach programs that are loving and graceful as well as courageous with the truth, could be thought of and implemented to reach out to those of other religions and cultural backgrounds to tell them of The True God and His Son Jesus Christ, of sin, repentance and forgiveness through Him!
[I apologize for my lack of skill and elegance etc in writing this post, Its just a few thoughts that came to me as I read the Telegraph article].