The way I see these things is that the older religions can sort of sit back and lay low because they've already become established and are, as in the case of christianity and it's main sects, very much a part of the social systems around them. These religions are safe from any change so they don't have to be aggressive, at least on home turf.
But, the new smaller religions and sects, they have to aggressively grow in order to survive. They need new 'paying members' like any club. But unlike a club you can leave these clubs usually take you for life and the majority of their functions is based on a kind of brainwashing-thing etc. making it very difficult to leave, more difficult then say, book of the month - club.
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