Too much conversion conversation?

Yesterday I was talking to someone who asked about the mass conversions that were taking place. Foolishly I assumed it was a comment about the swimming of the Tiber but no it was about former PM Tony Blair's sister-in-law, Lauren Booth. "Who?" I asked naively and carried on with the original topic (after all, she's not on my Christmas card list!).

They weren't going to be shaken off that easily though. Like a BNP advert they started speaking of this becoming a Muslim country and sharia law, hijabs and all that stuff. They obviously weren't going to be diverted from discussing their fears and concerns, which I assume means they read the fascist! Here's, essentially, what I told them:

Let's be a bit rational about this topic. My reality tells me that the majority of the female converts I have met are married to men who are Muslims and this has to, therefore, play a big part in the process!

Also, whilst there might be some converts in places (like Birmingham) it seems that there still aren't that many of them, nowhere near the hundred thousand some speak of anyway, but that wouldn't make it newsworthy would it (and it's always good to publish and have people take notice of your results)? After all, look at Masters and Johnston, Kinsey and some of the other stuff that has caused a stir but perhaps been subjective or possessing another flaw (note, I'm not saying the research is flawed, I haven't read it - only experienced the knee-jerk response).

The fears of a nation which is in the thrall of Islamic sharia law and 'expelling the Queen from Buckingham Palace' is pure fantasy. The droves of people rushing from the CofE to Islam is a load of tosh for it is obvious that the majority of those who make the journey don't have a clue about Christianity and if they wear the badge 'CofE' it only through the nominal folk-faith that sees them 'christened'!

In short, what this indicates is positive in that it shows that people are hungry for spiritual meaning and purpose in their lives, that they seek something that is constant and upholds the traditional values of morality and decency and if this is the case, we have something that will meet their needs more than adequately.

So let's put out our stall and let's stop worrying about other religions. Anything looks good until it's put up against the real McCoy (ever been to a pound shop?).