As the United States considers a presidential candidate with a strict Islamic education in childhood, some Obama supporters see his religious upbringing as an advantage. They say that his unique heritage as both a Muslim and Christian will help bridge the cultural gap between western civilization and the fundamentalist Islamic militants who want to destroy it.

They may be on to something.

According to Vatican statistics, Islam surpassed Catholicism as the dominant religion in the world. Of course, these statistics are like comparing apples to apple. They compare one Christian sect with the whole of Islam which is comprised of several sects just like Christianity. The Mormons make this point.

Christianity as a whole still makes up 33% (2 billion) of the world’s population of 6 billion people. Islam makes up 1.3 billion people, while Catholics specifically make up 1.1 billion people.

As a Catholic, I am saddened to learn that even more people are heading to an afterlife of eternal damnation in a flaming vat of scary fire. McCain’s 3rd Crusade begins after the election. Destination Byzantium. Horses needed.