2007-01-15 18:48:26 · 29 answers · asked by atreadia 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think that the choice of religion belongs to each individual. You don't have the right to tell someone else what religion they should choose, and they have no right to tell you what religion you can choose.
Religion is a deeply personal matter, and the choice of religion should be made with deep thought and consideration. You alone are responsible for what you believe.
People may have opinions, and many may disagree with you. It is important to hear people's ideas and reasons, but it is ultimately up to you what you choose. You are responsible for evaluating what you think, but it never hurts to hear other opinions. For example, sometimes cults isolate and brainwash people, so it is important to get a "reality check" from trusted people outside the group.
Also, some people change their religions more than once over their lifetime. Hopefully each of us matures and evolves in our spiritual understanding.
But no one should punish someone else for their religion. We all have the right to choose our own, and no one has the right to coerce us to follow theirs.
How can you be spiritual if you can't be honest with yourself - which is what would have to happen if you couldn't follow your own spiritual path and had to capitulate to someone else's beliefs.
Hope this helps.
2007-01-15 19:06:15 · answer #1 · answered by curious1 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No. That would sort of be like being punished for changing schools. Hopefully the person chancing Church's is doing so for a positive, God pleasing reason and not a self serving, ego trip reason. If the change is for the right reason...yeah, it's OK.
2007-01-16 02:54:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. What they need at that time is support because a decision like that is never taken lightly. But, at least when they are punished their decision is reinforced and they know they were right for leaving in the first place.
2007-01-16 02:53:09 · answer #3 · answered by Rabble Rouser 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Would there be degrees of punishment?
Like one level for a Catholic becoming a Baptist, another level for a Catholic converting to Islam, and a third level for a Catholic renouncing religion and joining our Athieist demographic.
You Zealots are nuts.
2007-01-16 02:55:05 · answer #4 · answered by Jim T 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If someone changed his/her religion in line with islamic teaching he/she can not be punished because there is no force in islamic religion.You are free to become a muslim/muslimah and you are free too to become the unbeliever. by converting islamic religion.
But according to islamic teaching as stated in holy qur'an if an unbeliever or the follower of other religion convert to Islam all his/her wrong doings or sins before he/she become a muslim/muslimah will be forgiven by Allah the only one God.He/she will be sinless like a baby.Oppositely if a muslim/muslimah coverted his/her religion to others he/she will be included in unbeliever or polytheism and his/her sin will be unforgiven by Allah .He/she will be the inhabitant of hell in life after death. and will be burnt eternally with a very hot hell fire.
2007-01-16 03:22:42 · answer #5 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, that is absurd. People should be free to express their spirituality and beliefs as they see fit. If I wanted to worship a carrot, no matter how stupid it seems, that is my right! I shouldn't be punished for worshipping an beta-carotene rich tap root. NO, people should not be punished!
2007-01-16 02:53:29 · answer #6 · answered by churnin 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, if they are in islam.
Qur’an 8:60 “Infidels should not think that they can get away from us. Prepare against them whatever arms and weaponry you can muster so that you may terrorize them.”
Bukhari:V4B52N260 “The Prophet said, ‘If a Muslim discards his religion, kill him!’”
2007-01-16 03:02:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Guess you haven't read the Constitution.....let alone understand World and US History....
Should people be punished for stupidity?
2007-01-16 02:52:43 · answer #8 · answered by mailjunkie123 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Faith that is forced is not faith.
If you are not free to follow your heart, your heart cannot follow "god".
Anyone who forces others to a religion, or threatens punishment, does not have faith at all.
Only fear.
2007-01-16 02:53:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
O' my God! preserve (the grace of) my face with easiness of life and do not disgrace my countenance with destitution, lest I may have to beg a livelihood from those who beg from Thee, try to seek the favour of Thy evil creatures, engage myself in praising those who give to me, and be tempted in abusing those who do not give to me, although behind all these Thou art the master of giving and denying.
. . . Verily Thou over all things, art the All-powerful. (Qur'an, 66:8)
2007-01-16 03:27:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋