8.22.2006

Mark Steyn: It's breeding obvious, mate

Sharp Canadian!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1685406/posts?page=1

My own related comment: I don't know why the Muslims bother terrorizing the West. With our below replacement level fertility and the Islamic prohibition of birth control, they will take over the world in a generation or so anyway. At this very moment we are witnessing the birth of a new Islamic state: "Eurabia." What's the need of terrorism when those you would terrorize are killing themselves off with below replacement fertility levels?

Having lots of kids won't get you to heaven, but "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate." [Psalm 127]

Not trusting God to plan our families, especially with the growing threat of our much more reproductive Islamic enemies, provides a unique perspective on the first verse of that same Psalm: "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain."

Erich

6 comments:

Devona said...

It's so very true, Caspar.

Erich Heidenreich, DDS said...

Here's another similar article from the Wall Stree Journal speaking about the effects of family planning on liberal politics... just taking that factor into account, liberals are dying out like the Shakers!

Anonymous said...

I often hear it stated that "we are at below replacement level fertility," which seems like it may well be true, but is it? Can somebody point to some census data or something that would support this statement? A while back, Pastor H.R. Curtis posted something supporting this within the LCMS, but what about nationally?

Thanks

TB

Erich Heidenreich, DDS said...

TB,

In this context, I was referring to the West, not just the U.S. There is no debate as to the below replacement level fertility of the West when looked at as a whole. For a reliable overview of figures on fertility level trends in the entire world, see "Last One Out Turn Off the Lights". The figure given for the U.S. is 2.07. Replacement level is 2.11. While these figures are about a decade old, trends indicate that things are even worse today, taking into account increased immigration and the relatively higher rates of fertility of those immigrants.

Though the U.S. population is still increasing, it is NOT because Americans are procreating above replacement level. It is because Congress has increased immigration to a level almost quadruple previous traditional levels. We also stopped enforcing most laws against illegal immigration. Although American-born fertility continues to decline below replacement levels, recent immigrant fertility (especially latino) is relatively high. This has caused total fertility rates for the U.S. to deceptively appear to remain stable (right around replacement level) over the past decade.

If you want the U.N.'s take on things, see this pdf. Specifically check out page 73.

Caspar

Anonymous said...

FYI- Steyn is a Canadian, not an Aussie.

Erich Heidenreich, DDS said...

Thanks for the correction.