Interfaith Group

Mormons and orthodox Jews have huge families, as Catholics used to, and fundie churches seem to also have larger families, all encouraged by the elders. And they have built in support networks so you don't have to worry as much about the work and the costs like the rest of us do. Cults have done this, too.

So, even if they lose a few along the way, the community is assured of new blood. Lots of new blood far beyond replacement needs.

OTOH, how many Congregational churches out there are greying out?

It seems not so much religious, but human, for people to go for ready answers and avoid a lot of the work. If some preacher, rabbi, or mullah is willing to give us answers, all the better that we don't have to figure it out ourselves. Even better if said religious authority is absolutely sure of himself and we need doubt or explore nothing he says.

But, this instinct to go for the easy answers could lead many of the flock to head for even easier answers, so backing up the talk with lots of baby tabula rasae helps stack the deck.