2006-12-01 03:42:57 · 21 answers · asked by advicemom 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yep, pretty much all the religions that have ever existed (except perhaps for some particular African or Native American or other tribal religions) have at one time or another forced (or "persuaded") others to join them. It makes little sense to say that "you don't have to be a religion in your _heart_ just because others forced you to be," though it's true in a small way: you can carry out the rites of your condemned religion in secret. If you openly carry out the rites of the condemned religion, you'll die. If you do not publicly carry out the rites of the forced religion, you'll die. And so we end up with very few people alive enough to "live" two religions - one true, one forced - at the same time.
As has already been mentioned, religion is a primary cause of all the killing and hatred and strife in the world. I'm convinced that organized religion makes people utterly stupid.
I am a Humanist and believe in some unidentified god or gods, but certainly not a male god (how absurd to assign God a sex and gender; gender is a completely human construct). If everyone would simply identify with their fellow humans, ignore the silly rules and traditions of religion, give of themselves, help and support others, be compassionate and kind (as a Kurt Vonnegut character advised newborn twins most eloquently: "There's only one rule I know of, babies ... God damn it, you've got to be kind."), and treat others as they would like to be treated, the world would be far less hellish.
2006-12-01 04:22:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you can spread a religion by force. You can force some one to say what you want them to say just so they feel they are safe, but that doesn't mean that they actually embrace the religion and thus can not be considered converts or reverts to that religion IMHO.
2006-12-01 03:50:13 · answer #2 · answered by Sui Generis 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
How is Christianity spread by force?
2006-12-01 03:52:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You make a false assumption. True Christianity is not and does not spead by force. It is shared in love by the testimony of true believers who speak of the things God has done in their lives. God takes the truth of His Son, Jesus Christ, and applies it to the hearts of hearers whom God Himself has prepared to receive. Anyone who claims to be a Christian and forces another to "become a Christian" is NOT a true believer. It is not a matter of just trying to live a moral life for even Jesus' enemies were from the religious order. True Christianity is from above and comes down to us by the power and might of God's Holy Spirit. To learn more about Christianity you should read the record God has given of His Son and with an attitude of humble searching seek to know the truth. Those who are truely seeking the truth will find it.
2006-12-01 03:54:00 · answer #4 · answered by weepingprophet15 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Right to my expectation, many are saying Islam out of ignorance of Islam or pure bad faith.
Just give me one single example where Islam has been spread by force or by the sword as the saying goes on.
No Muslim armies have even been to China, Malaysia or Indonesia. So how do you explain the huge population of Muslims in these countries?
2006-12-01 04:07:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
All of the major religions I know of have to some extent. The worst are the JudeoChristian. Read the Old Testament. It is all about God giving conquest in battle to the Jews over their enemies and rival tribes. Islam is also full of violence:
..".fight in the way of Allah with those who fight with you...[2.191] And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from whence they drove you out, and persecution is severer than slaughter, and do not fight with them at the Sacred Mosque until they fight with you in it, but if they do fight you, then slay them; such is the recompense of the unbelievers. " -Koran
Of course you already know about Christianity from your question. Buddhism seems much less violence filled in its history but there have been some violent episodes between rival sects as well.
2006-12-01 03:50:12 · answer #6 · answered by Zen Pirate 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Islam
2006-12-01 03:46:23 · answer #7 · answered by mzJakes 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
What do you mean by force? If you mean wars, crusades, etc, then yes, I believe all religions have participated in this to some extent. If you mean forcefully "recruiting" you to their religion, then I have to say that I beliege Christianity does that more than any other religion. Because, Mormons consider themselves Christians.
2006-12-01 03:45:58 · answer #8 · answered by frenchy 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Tell the people in the countries that will die for their belief in Christianity that they are being forced. Get a grip and ask an intellegent question.
2006-12-01 03:50:43 · answer #9 · answered by me 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Islam
2006-12-01 03:45:11 · answer #10 · answered by Allen L 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋