Whats wrong with forcing people into a religion (ex:Islam)?

Question

Pope Rats...whatever...made the argument recently that God could never endorse conversion by the sword. How does he know?

What most people dont understand is, that the vast majority of the Islamic world (Islamic countries) considers this "one" of the legitmate forms of spreading Islam. Essentially, under Islam, all means of achieveing the global dominace of Islam are legitmate. However, Jihad can be facilitated by marrying non-muslims and ending non-muslim bloodlines along with many other ways.

Now, when you think about it, how is their methodolgy any worse than what other religions use. Dont you have to apply your own religious/moral view to make such a judgement? See, its a circular problem. Non-Muslims who didnt grow up in an Islamic culture use the moral code they were programmed with as a template to judge Muslims.

Muslims on the other hand grew-up with their template and see nothing at all wrong with enforcing God's law on everyone, after all, he asked them to...right?

Answer 1

May Peace mercy and Blessings of Allah(swt) be on all of you.

Brother you seriously have to reconsider the source you are using . well if you have any lolzzz.i dont know where you find in Qur'an that conversion can take place by force.

Qur'an says in surah Baqarah CH:2 V:256

"there is no Compulsion in religion"

this verse of Quran is sufficient to prove that no one can be forced to accept Islam. but for further proof let us analise the History .

It is a common complaint among some non-Muslims that Islam would not have
millions of adherents all over the world, if it had not been spread by the use of force. The following points will make it clear, that far from being spread by the sword, it was the inherent force of truth, reason and logic that was responsible
for the rapid spread of Islam.

1. Islam means peace.

Islam comes from the root word ‘salaam’, which means peace. It also means submitting one’s will to Allah (swt). Thus Islam is a religion of peace, which is acquired by submitting one’s will to the will of the Supreme Creator, Allah (swt).

2. Sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace.
Each and every human being in this world is not in favour of maintaining peace and harmony. There are many, who would disrupt it for their own vested interests. Sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace. It is precisely for this reason that we have the police who use force against criminals and antisocial elements to maintain peace in the country. Islam promotes peace. At the same time, Islam exhorts it followers to fight where there is oppression. The fight against oppression may, at times, require the use of force. In Islam force can only be used to promote peace and justice.

3. Opinion of historian De Lacy O’Leary.
The best reply to the misconception that Islam was spread by the sword is given by the noted historian De Lacy O’Leary in the book “Islam at the cross road” (Page 8):

“History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myth that historians have ever repeated.”

4. Muslims ruled Spain for 800 years.

Muslims ruled Spain for about 800 years. The Muslims in Spain never used the sword to force the people to convert. Later the Christian Crusaders came to Spain and wiped out the Muslims. There was not a single Muslim in Spain who
could openly give the adhan, that is the call for prayers.

5. 14 million Arabs are Coptic Christians.

Muslims were the lords of Arabia for 1400 years. For a few years the British
ruled, and for a few years the French ruled. Overall, the Muslims ruled Arabia for 1400 years. Yet today, there are 14 million Arabs who are Coptic Christians i.e. Christians since generations. If the Muslims had used the sword there would
not have been a single Arab who would have remained a Christian.

6. More than 80% non-Muslims in India.

The Muslims ruled India for about a thousand years. If they wanted, they had the power of converting each and every non-Muslim of India to Islam. Today more than 80% of the population of India are non-Muslims. All these non-Muslim Indians are bearing witness today that Islam was not spread by the sword.

7. Indonesia and Malaysia.

Indonesia is a country that has the maximum number of Muslims in the world.The majority of people in Malaysia are Muslims. May one ask, “Which Muslim army went to Indonesia and Malaysia?”

8. East Coast of Africa.

Similarly, Islam has spread rapidly on the East Coast of Africa. One may again ask, if Islam was spread by the sword, “Which Muslim army went to the East Coast of Africa?”

9. Thomas Carlyle.

The famous historian, Thomas Carlyle, in his book “Heroes and Hero worship”,refers to this misconception about the spread of Islam: “The sword indeed, but where will you get your sword? Every new opinion, at its starting is precisely in
a minority of one. In one man’s head alone. There it dwells as yet. One man alone of the whole world believes it, there is one man against all men. That he takes a sword and try to propagate with that, will do little for him. You must get
your sword! On the whole, a thing will propagate itself as it can.”

10. No compulsion in religion.

With which sword was Islam spread? Even if Muslims had it they could not use it to spread Islam because the Qur’an says in the following verse:“Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from error”
[Al-Qur’an 2:256]

May Peace Mercy and Blessings of Allah(swt) be on all of you.

Answer 2

It wouldn't be a true conversion. How could it be?

These people who are forced into a religion are not actually believing in the religion. They are doing so to save their lives, their families, everything they hold near and dear. To be threatened with the death of their familiy if they do not 'convert' does not mean that they truly believe.

Which lies the problem with this type of thinking. To save my family - yes I would pay lip service to Islam. I would stand up for my own life - but I wouldn't allow my family, innocents, to pay. Does this mean I would actually believe the faith? No - only that I would be outwardly practicing it and inwardly holding my own belief in God close to my heart.

There can be no fear in love. A servant can fear his master and be obedient but this does not equate into a relationship with the master. Let alone one built on love.

Muslims are told that God wants them to do this, told by a prophet who had no prophecies. In a culture that has backslide since the creation of this religion. And is still plagued with ignorance, oppression, and violence. There is not true freedom.

Does this sound like God's will?

Answer 3

its wrong because its empty.

True, a religion can force its law on the people, but it can never force belief.

if a religion forces everyone to its tenants it simply becomes a legal system and loses any sanctity as a religion.

Answer 4

Before you think of forcing views on someone why not try proving there even is a God!

Rather pointless to follow a religion if you can not prove the God of that religion is real! Kinda like forcing someone to believe in superman. What's the point he isn't real so who cares!

Answer 5

The short answer is that since all religions are a waste of time and money, no one should be forced into any of them. Were there demonstrable truth to a religion, it would make sense to adhere to it, but there isn't.

Answer 6

Actually morpheus, forcing someone to become Muslim is prohibited in Islam:

"There is no compulsion in religion"

The fact that Muslims can force non-muslims to accept the authority of Muslims does not mean that they force them to become Muslim. In other words, it is not "convert or face the sword", it is "convert, accept the authority of the Islamic state, or face the sword". This isnt forcing anyone to become Muslim; however emotional westerners who cant tell the difference between actions cry a river whenever they hear about this idea and fail to differentiate.

Answer 7

Yes, we understand your bloody religion, and your backwards ways, and the craving for violence taught to you. But sword or not I will never subscribe to an ancient, violent false religion.

If God Almighty gives free will to his children...who are the muslims to take it away? It's pathetic and I will be glad when the world finally outgrows the Abrahamic religions.

Freedom will never be wrong. Period.

Answer 8

If you force someone into a faith, that new adherent will not be praying for the right reasons, but more out of fear and submission. It should be an independent, active search for God, not one you are forced into.

Answer 9

Christians force their religions onto their children.

However, I do admit that I would be terrified if there was a Caliph again. The Muslim World united under one ruler would be just scary.

Answer 10

I'm not sure I understand your question........but you can't force someone to be a Christian, you can show them the path to salvation, tell them of God's love, but its a choice they have to make for themselves, so in my opinion, isn't that the same w/other faiths?