Is it Islam or the Western Christian colonizers that coerce others to convert?

Question

The historian De Lacy O'Leary wrote in Islam at Crossroads: "History makes it clear, that the legend of fanatical Muslims, sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians have ever repeated."

Muslims ruled Spain for roughly 800 years. During this time, the non-Muslims there were alive and flourishing. Additionally, Christian and Jewish minorities have flourished in the Muslim lands of the Middle East for centuries, often arriving to escape the pogroms in Europe. Countries such as Egypt, Morocco, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan all have significant Christian and/or Jewish populations. This is not surprising to a Muslim, for his faith prohibits him from forcing others to see his point of view, and in fact guarantees them protection. The Qur’an says: “Let there be no compulsion in religion” [Al-Qur’an 2:256]

Answer 1

Sure it's the Western Christian colonizers..
I was really amazed by the history of Islam, and the conditions of the countries Muslims ruled, everybody was leaving in peace, nobody was forced to convert to Islam.. People liked Muslim leaders more than Christians, because they were just and treated all citizens equally, Muslim and non-Muslims.. It really worth respect.

Answer 2

Both. In almost every religion there has been people forced into that religion at the threat of death. Christians have done it, Catholics have done it, Muslims have done it, and even Mormons have done it.

The pope once had probably the largest army in all of Europe. What about all the Holy Wars to conquer Jerusalem by early Christians? Or Catholicism and Christianity being forced on indians in early American history. History records Mohammed as being a bandit and forcinging people into the Muslim religion at the point of a sword.

http://www.atheists.org/Islam/mohammedanism.html

It is known in US history that the Mormons would force people that they came across into joining their church and would sometimes kill and hunt down members that would leave the church.

I'm not an atheist, but I won't disregard history either. It will probably anger a lot people calling Mohammed a bandit, but many historical records record him as being just that. To discredit historical records due to one's belief is unwise. Historical records should be studied and learned from.

How else do you think a religion would become so popular if it wasn't at sometime or other forced on people? You can see it happening even today. Which religions are growing in numbers and which are shrinking in numbers? Catholicism and Christianity are shrinking. Over the years their approach has become less forceful. In many countries that are Islam based if you don't believe Islam you are no longer considered a family member. That's not to the point of death, but that's very influential. Or what about the man in newly democratic Afghanistan that was preaching Christianity? Through the legal system, they were going to have him killed, creating a huge ordeal for the Bush administration. Luckily another country helped him escape Afghanistan before being killed. I believe it was Italy.

We shouldn't disregard history. Many people disregard that the Holocaust ever happened. Why would you disregard that it happened when there is tons of evidence that it happened and thousands of living witnesses to it?

If you really think about it, most of the wars (90% or more) were started because of two things. Land Dispute or Religious Dispute.

Answer 3

I would like to see back up for the "christian and jewish minorities have flourished in the Muslim lands for centuries"... considering that you don't see Jews in the Muslim lands... Palestine and Afghanastan have a law which give the death penalty to those who even suggest converting to another religion... so how is it that those other religions Flourish?

Granted many things in history are embellished to make one side look bad and the other side look great... look at how people have done the Jews? As well as the Christians? (Crusades, Inquisitions, etc...).

As for trying to make it look like there wasn't ever a Muslim to do these sort of things is absurd in itself.

I really wish people would quit these stupid "we're ALL innocent... and you are ALL guilty" ******** games. They don't work. We all have eyes and ears... we can figure this one out for ourselves.

Answer 4

How about birth rates - Muslims are giving birth faster than Christians. In the democratic EU, Muslims will be in political power in a generation or less.

The Ottoman Empire gave Islam its negative reputation because of its decaying and corrupt nature.

Answer 5

X,tell the two journalist who were kidnapped and only released after they converted to Islam with guns pointed at them.Were people who think like you born with a missing gene the one that would allow you to see the obvious,there are people of all religions in America who are allowed to follow any faith they wish, if you are incapable of seeing that you are a Bigoted America hating FOOL.

Answer 6

why not compare modern day christians and muslims, instead of going back into history. Islam is the religion that is bombing and torturing people in order to get them to change religions, not christianity. It is the mullahs who stand at the pulpit and scream death to the infidels and that all Jews must be wiped from the face of the earth. And you can be sure it wasn't Christians who started the latest war in Lebanon. it was the leader of the Hezbollah, Nesrallah( may he be spit upon) who admitting to giving the orders to kill and kidnap Israeli people.

Answer 7

well the 2 Fox reporters were forced to convert to islam before they could be relesed. I do believe the Qurran had good intension, and from the sounds of things we may worship the same God, however, the Qurran , over the years, has been developed to be move militant and violent. my God is a loving, gracious, merciful God

Answer 8

El hajj Malik Shabazz it's Western Christian

Answer 9

You gave absolutely no evidence of western christian colonizers forcing people to convert in modern times.

Obviously it has happened before, and probably still does on a small scale, it happens.

However Muslims are still practicing 'convert or die' all over the world.... *openly*

Answer 10

I was born into a Christian family and chose to become Muslim, not forced. Allah guides whom he wills and leads astray whom he wills. It is not Islamic behavior to force one to become Muslim, although I am sure it happens. God knows all..........