If You Were Forcibly Told You Had to Follow a Certain Religion?

Question

Say that there came a time where you were told you had to practice the beliefs of a certain religion (hypothetically) or would be tortured if you did not comply, would you go alone with it to save your life or would you die for your own cause?

I realized throughout history and even in the Bible this was a delimma for people. So this question is by no means STUPID. If you don't understand it, it's not my problem.
You never know.....this could happen in the future with a very powerful, well-respected religion and I would rather die. You can say I'm lying, but I would refuse to become part of a mass forced converting of a paganistic religion that defies God in so many ways. In reality, they think they are doing God's work, but they are definately NOT. This church/religion is the bloodiest of them all......the bloodiest in history....
Besides, if you believe in martyrdom then I would assume you believe in Biblical prophecy and you would know what your reward would be.

Answer 1

Tough question. Through the years, this question has been all too real for many Jews.

Rabbi Akiva prefered not to comply, even though he was flayed alive (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbi_Akiva)
In contrast, many Jews pretended to convert, or actually did convert, during the Spanish Inquisition.

I would never have the guts to undergo torture. I would pretend to convert, and continue to worship God according to my own religion, secretly.

Answer 2

Royal Crown, Your question is all about the blood stained history of christianity once it fell away from the original pattern recorded in Acts:2 and Acts:4. By the end of the 1st century there was no longer any trace of it and all that was left was the bloody institution that still exist today. I drove Rojer Williams into the wilderness to be with the Indiand and he established freedom of religion in the State of Rhode Island. The men who established this country included freedom of religion because they knew what their fathers and grand fathers had experienced in europe under the iron rule of christianity merged with the state. This is what lies ahead here! If the church mixes with the state(politics) then damage will be big time. It will be worse now that in the days of the spanish inquisition or the crusades which were wars against those who would not believe as the Pope or King James would believe. This is deep stuff here and if the 2 do merge then you and I better watch out because thats when freedom of religion will die. Just as states rights died when the confederate states lost the war to the united states, so freedom of religion will die if church and state ever mix.
Regards, Ammoconfidential

Answer 3

Very good question. Since the beginning of time people have been faced with this problem. And our founding fathers have tried to create a country were
you have the freedom of religion. The only religion that was ever band here was a Native American religion.

Answer 4

I would die for our Lord Jesus Christ. Because he even says it
all in the bible about this very thing, many times. He said," what
good is a man if he gaineth the whole world, yet looseth his
soul"? Also , he says, " those who will save their life, will surely
loose it, and those who will lose their life, will surely gain it".
So, basically, I will never turn my back on God. Any other
religion out there, no way.

Answer 5

Self-preservation is a big thing for me. I'd probably outwardly comply so as not to be killed. Inside I would be who I've always been and no law can change that.
Even if I had to keep it secret I'd still practice my rites. Hell, the slaves managed to tell each other about opportunities to escape and made their owners think it was a simple song for passing te long hours. Anything can be done if the will is strong enough.

Answer 6

It happened in Daniel chapter 6.

The Bible predicts that this very thing will happen and many will die as a result of their denial to comply with the forced religion. If it happens in my life time I guess I will be a martyr .

Jesus is Lord!

Answer 7

Unlike Christians who's heaven and hell is based on "Believe in Jesus as your savior and you will be saved", my religion is part of everything that I do in my life time, from the time I wake up early in the morning till the time I go back to sleep.

So it's really impossible for me act like changing my faith and believe in Islam. I am ordered to stand against the evil and forcible things, no matter if I have to die.

Answer 8

I would honestly say TaTa...I beleive that is what true martyrdom is about, isn't it? And I do not think your question is so hypothetical. Gays are subjected to this horrible treatment daily, in one form or another....very nice Christians at work...something to be very proud of. And as long as this behavior is tolerated, even encouraged by Churches, the illness will continue. God sits in final judgement...many so called Christians, I fear, will have very big surprises awaiting them at heaven's gate. I won't .

Answer 9

It's already happened.

For hundreds of years there was no religious 'freedom'. Throughout Europe you either belonged to the Catholic church or you were punished.

It wasn't until several hundred years ago that such leaders as Martin Luther were able to break away from the stranglehold 'The Church' had on everyone.

Answer 10

I would just follow. The fact that there is one god! Every religion claims thier is the tru path, but no one really knows! The true god will understand even if you choose the wrong one as your life is at risk.

As long you do the things that all religion said, don't kill, treat others as equals and the other basic principles!