"During my time as a Baha'i, I saw potential converts lied to by Baha'is regarding the membership of the Faith. The Baha'is, especially the Baha'i leadership, have always grossly inflated the 'official' numbers in order to present an inaccurate picture to the world (as well as to individuals considering conversion) and to make the Faith seem much more successful and influential than it really is. " --Scott
Professor Juan Cole of the University of Michigan commented in April 2001 that, since 1968, 50% of the people who entered the bahai faith have left it. According to him, the usual figure for most Christian denominations is approximately 80% retention, meaning about only 20% decide to leave once they become a member. See Professor Cole's comment below that even 5 million Baha'is worldwide is exaggerated by the Baha'i administration.