Forced Religion?

Question

If it came to a point in our lifetime where we were forced to practice a certain religion (to denounce our own, and become part of a one-world religion), what would you do?
I know this question has many variables, but I am asking would you die for your cause (your beliefs or lack therof) or would you become part of that religion? Say, if you were disobedient and did not want to be a part of it, you would suffer imprisonment or death...what would you do?

Answer 1

my dad told me when he was a kid, they weren't that rich.. and some old folks gave them rice as long as they become protestants.. they refused.. (they're buddists)

i wouldn't say i'd die for my religion.. but i'd probably say that religion is something you can't take away even in death.. it can't be forced especially when i don't see the point in having someone forced into it but not actually practice of believe it..

for your question, i won't chose living or dying.. but simply, believing.. if they kill me then it's their problem..

Answer 2

I follow Jesus Christ. I certainly would die rather than renounce my faith. In the first 3 centuries after Christs death millions of christians perished rather renouncing their faith including all of the disciples except John. The only reason they didn't kill John was because, like the title of the movie, John was 'Hard To Kill'. They tried to boil him in oil one time and another time they tried to broil him in a brass bull and he survived. All the disciples lived persecuted lives for their faith and then (again with the exception of John) were martyred in very gross ways. Yet they refused to deny the faith. If you ever saw 'The Passion of Christ' it had a bad rating( I don't know if it was X-rated or not) because of all the blood in it particularly the scourging scene. But the Apostle Paul was scourged not one, like Christ, but 5 times. He was also beaten with rods and stoned a number of times and spent much time in jail until he was finally beheaded by the roman empire. All the other disciples and apostles had similar experiences. That's why I do believe the resurrection of Christ and the miracles of Christ and everything else that is in the New Testament(as well as the Old Testament). Because the guys that wrote these books were eye witnesses and they lived persecuted lives and died martyrs deaths rather than deny what they said they saw with their own eyes. There's been people before who have died for a lie but they thought it was the truth. I've never heard of anyone who died for a lie and he knew it was a lie. Nothing has changed in the 20th century. More christians have died in the 20th century than in the first 19 centuries combined. Yet nobody even cares.

Answer 3

Millions of people are forced into religion already. Anyone told as a child that God created the universe is not truly able to make an objective choice on the matter and has therefore, without knowing it, being forced into whatever religion it is that their dictatorial parents have chosen to thrust upon them.

Answer 4

I'd probably pretend to play along. Sounds cowardly, but I'm being honest. I'd play along, but I'd keep my own connection to God privately. I'd be an undercover heretic and I would wait until there was a movement to overthrow the unjust regime. Religion by force- this I can guarantee- has never gotten anyone to heaven.
But it's easy for me because my church is inside me. People who practice outward religion have a tough time with this kind of stuff.

Answer 5

For as long as I can remember I've looked favorably upon the romantic idea of defiance. I would not die for my beliefs as it is among my beliefs that self preservation is of most importance, but neither would I conform to the law. If need be, I would simply practice my religion in secret and put on a false show for those who would pursecute me.

Answer 6

Tough question...wow! Now what would I do?....I would pretend to be a follower of that religion, but go underground with my true "religion" to ensure its survival...if I get caught doing that...then yeah- I wouldn't deny my true beliefs- ... That's exactly what I would do.
Someone here just told people to vote for themselves to gain points when your question is "in Voting"- apparently it's possible....I have too much integrity to do that........So, I can imagine not being able to lie, if I then have to answer direct questions concerning my "religion"....after being caught pretending I mean ( I believe in white lies for good cause).

Answer 7

i would rather die than to turn my back on Gon who loves me more than i could ever imagine. i would rather give up my freedom than give up true life. i would rather be disobeidient to the world than be disobeidient to God. there are countless examples of people choosing God over the forced relion of the area. read the book called Jesus Freaks written by DC Talk and The Voices Of The Martyrs. that book has only a fraction of all the stories of those who were killed and incacerated because they would not follow the crowd. it is an inspiring book that all christians and Jewish peoples should read at least ten times.

Answer 8

wELL THE QUESTION KIND OF TURNS ON ITSELF WHEN YOU GET INTO THE ANSWER; for me anyway.
First off, what religion would you want if it could not offer you an after life?
jAnd what good would it do to die for it if its worth ended when you left this earth.
So any religion worth beleiving in is worth dying for otherwise, why beleive in it?
I am not a religious person, but I do beleive in Christ, God and the Holy Spirit.
Now those three, I would die for, because in losing my life I would be gaining it.

Answer 9

it really makes you wonder at the motivations of the martyrs of all faiths. were they masochists? judaism allows for pretending to convert, if your life is endangered, though there've been jewish martyrs, as well (those at masada come to mind). torture and brainwashing are powerful things, though, especially to those not accustomed to seeing their mark (and by this i mean many first world citizens, of whom i assume much of this board is comprised). i sort of like the idea of gladiatorial combat as martyrdom, but i have weird notions of how i'd like to die... a faith, almost. as an agnostic, though, i could probably live with pretending to be a convert, unless i was feeling especially contentious and suicidal, which i can be.

Answer 10

I would rather die from my non belief in anything as that is who I am, I would not commit disrespect to a religion that I do not believe in.