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When it comes to religion, there's no guarantee that will work. His kids could convert, or marry Muslims, in which case his efforts will have backfired.

Among the main factors that contribute to children remaining in their parents' religion is a unified religious environment within the home, a large religious network outside the home and a close relationship with and mutual respect between parents and children.

I like my chances.

of course your argument has one big flaw: while there is always a possibility that one's actions will not achieve the desired result, the only reason not to try at all is a 100% probability of failure.

I had more kids not to outcompete Muslims, but to outcompete stupid people.

I assume that's a dig at me.

My primary purpose in life is not to compete with Muslims, but I am aware that my children will be growing up in a very different world than the one I grew up in.

You realise it's only a matter of time before the Monty Python "Meaning of Life" pictures and quotes are posted? Oh, what the heck:

[Mr Blackitt making fun of the Catholics across the street and lecturing his wife about Protestantism.]

Mr Blackitt: Look at them, bloody Catholics, filling the bloody world up with bloody people they can't afford to bloody feed.

Mrs Blackitt: What are we dear?

Mr Blackitt: Protestant, and fiercely proud of it.

Mrs Blackitt: Hmm. Well, why do they have so many children?

Mr Blackitt: Beacuse... every time they have sexual intercourse, they have to have a baby!

Mrs Blackitt: But it's the same with us, Harry.

Mr Blackitt: What do you mean?

Mrs Blackitt: Well, we've got two children, and we've had sexual intercourse twice.

Mr Blackitt: That's not the point. We could have it any time we wanted!

Mrs Blackitt: Really?

Mr Blackitt: Oh yes, and what's more, because we don't believe in that Papist claptrap, we can take precautions.

Mrs Blackitt: What do you mean... lock the door?

Mr Blackitt: No, no. I mean, because we're members of the Protestant Reformed Church, which successfully challenged the autrocratic power of the Papacy in the mid-sixteenth century, we can wear little rubber devices to prevent issue.

Mrs Blackitt: What d'you mean?

Mr Blackitt: I mean, if I wanted, have sexual intercourse with you,...

Mrs Blackitt: Oh, yes, Harry.

Mr Blackitt: ...and, by wearing a rubber sheath over my old feller, I could insure... that, when I came off, you would not be impregnated.

Mrs Blackitt: Ooh!

Mr Blackitt: That's what being a Protestant's all about! That's why it's the church for me! That's why it's the church for anyone who respects the individual, and the individual's right to decide for him- or herself. When Martin Luther nailed his protest up to the church door in 1517, he may not have realised the full significance of what he was doing, but… 400 years later, thanks to him, my dear, I can wear whatever I want on my John Thomas.

[He sniffs.]

Mr Blackitt: And, Protestantism doesn't stop at the simple condom! Oh, no! I can wear French Ticklers if I want.

Mrs Blackitt: You what?

Mr Blackitt: French Ticklers! Black Mambos! Crocodile Ribs! Sheaths that are designed not only to protect, but also to enhance the stimulation of sexual congress.

Mrs Blackitt: Have you got one?

Mr Blackitt: Have I got one? Uh, well, no, but I can go down the road any time I want, and walk into Harry's and hold my head up high and say in a loud, steady voice, "Harry, I want you to sell me a condom. In fact, today, I think I'll have a French Tickler, for I am a Protestant."

I assume that's a dig at me.

No, but if you think it fits, by all means take offense.

Seriously, there is a strong inverse correlation between I.Q. and reproduction in our society. The stupider people are, the more likely it is that they will have kids. And unlike religion, intelligence is genetically heritable. So my "scientific" reason for having more kids is to spam the gene pool with genes that at least score well.

But the real reason is that I just love 'em. Love making 'em too. (...he said, in a halfhearted attempt to bring the thread back on track.)