Is the desire of a religion to impose its beliefs by force a sign of collective religious immaturity?

Question

Think of the Catholics in the crusades and during the times of the conquistadores, Spanish inquisition etc forcing people to convert or die.

Now, they don't do it any more, but the Muslims - a much younger religion - still have that mentality. Maybe it's just a phase some religions pass through and grow out of. Muslim thinking seems to be 600 years behind in this respect.

What do you think?

True that many Christians today want to shove their beliefs down people's throats, but they tend to be the newer denominations like George Bush and his born agains.

Answer 1

Wadda,
Throughout history, nearly every religion has demonstrated that if there is nothing to reign them in, they usually create hell on earth, for their members, and especially for those who disagree with them. I am not aware of any holy reign of terror committed by the Buddhists, but I could be wrong. Religions are the usual efforts by men, to find a way to control, and profit from the fear that they spread among uneducated people. They just disguise themselves as sheep, while fleecing the flock. I find it interesting that Jesus never bothered to take up an offering from any of the people He preached to. He also didn't need a huge building, and a limo with bodyguards. Somehow, I don't think He would be welcome in many of our modern religious organizations. Back to your question, I find it interesting that most of the Catholic churches in Europe still have the torture chambers in their basements, and they have never apologized for the millions of people they tortured and killed during the dark ages. Imaging having the history of your religion remembered as "The Dark Ages", Yikes. If there were not elements of our governments to keep watch over the churches today, I wonder how long it would take before open season on non-believers would start. Not to confuse any of this with God Himself, however. I'm sure there are going to be some very surprised religious leaders on that Day.

Answer 2

but the Muslims - a much younger religion .......
Not hardly... The Muslim religion is on of the OLDEST....
Why they try to impose their beliefs on others by force or intimidation....? Because they are over-all , not a well educated group of people... For the most part, they are so brain-washed that they are unable to think for themselves and will follow anyone in "command"...
They will follow orders "blindly" without considering what common sense would be....
Oh ! you say that many are "educated" ? Yes you are right, but an edcucation does not mean one has intelligence....

Answer 3

All religions are invented by people. Religion Pays. In the name of religion be it Muslim, Jews, Christianity, and other religions wars are being fought and where there is war there is a need for superiority. To be superior, you need superior weapons, with superior weapons, you can suppress all religions which ever the way you want I hope you are getting the point.

Answer 4

They are actually tolerant of other religions. They turn aggressive when they feel aggression against them. The common ground between Islam and Vatican is this. Islam denies Christ and Catholicism denies Christ by their works. Christ is the Prince of Peace and in no way sides with the inquisition, the crucades or any other violent torturous ways.

Answer 5

Islam, muslims, have moved in and took over countries with Islamic religion by force. every country they move too, they try this. They are moving too the west. Islam will NOT take over this country. That is a bad dream on they're part.

Answer 6

I kinda agree with you, but aren't (some) christians still kinda shoving their beliefs down are throats now? Just look at Yahoo answers.

Answer 7

No. I don't think that I'll blame religion. We are what we are. The leader of the Tour de France is a Mennonite who rebelled against his parents upbringing. That takes courage.

Thanks,
Buster

Answer 8

Oh they're still doing it, it just depends where. Look at places like Somalia.

Or, of course, you could say Christians are still just as fervent and aggressive in their will to convert, they just changed their "marketing" tactics...evangelism and so on.

It's just a fundamental part of monotheistic religious doctrine; they're commanded to by their scripture, so they do it.

Answer 9

I don't think so, I think its more a sign of man's desire to take over the universe with the weapon of religion.

Answer 10

Is it immaturity or is it zeal for the Lord I can not really say as I do not know much about the Muslim faith.