If you were given the choice, between torture and death, or converting to a religion you didn't believe in, and didn't follow, what would you do?
Think along the lines of the Salam Witch Trials, (which btw, not one practicing witch was killed, they were all innocent woman).
Would you denounce your faith, in order to save your life, and the lives of your family?
2007-03-23 06:25:41 · 23 answers · asked by Lupa 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I would just like to add a post script, and point out that many did convert and were still burned at the stake, or hung. So, with that track record to go with, what would your answer be?
2007-03-23 07:05:26 · update #1
I can honestly say that I am not sure what I would do. My faith is a very big part of me, and my family, it isn't something that I do, it is who I am, and to deny that, would be to deny myself. Also if they are offering you pain if you do not convert, do you not think that they will do it anyway? Those who resort to violence to convert people to their faith, will undoubtably use violence for any other reason.
Faith and belief is not there to be used and followed when it is easy, you do not know your measure of faith until you have had it challenged. I have endured being spat on, been stoned (rocks thrown at me) been shunned, physically attacked, and have not wavered, I don't know what I would do if it meant the pain and suffering of my children, I would probably do what needed to be done to keep them safe then get away as soon as I could, but for myself, I can no more deny my faith then can I deny I am a mother, or a wife, or a human, it is not part of me, it is me.
2007-03-23 07:14:39 · update #2
I loved that almost every one said that they wouldn't. Well first I would have to say that I am not sure if I would or not. I mean after all Peter denied even knowing Jesus. I would hope that I wouldn't. But I'm just not sure. When we are faced with certain situations you some times act differently then what you would want to. I was watching TV with that Bill guy on. He was breaking into homes and cars and even trying to act like he was taking some kids. Only a few people said anything to him. My point being that I bet if you had asked all the people that didn't say anything if they would. Most of them would have said "Yes I would help" But the sad fact is that most wouldn't. And that wasn't something as serious as life.
2007-03-23 06:41:44 · answer #1 · answered by mrs.mom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would fake it. i would denounce my faith to save my family. i wouldn't mean it in my heart, but i would do it in an instant. many have done the same thing in the past. christianity used violence to convert the pagans and non believers.
unfortunately, nothing those poor women (and men) of the witch trials did would have changed their fate.
what about you, where do you stand on this?
edit: i can't believe all these people who are saying its ok to bare a bit of brief pain to spend eternity in heaven! losing the lives of your families is considered only a BIT painful! oh my goodness! i'm thinking of calling children's services on all of you! to think you would let your children die instead of denouncing your faith?!?!
wow, this is really difficult for me to believe. i am so very sorry for all of you who walk that path
edit: after reading some of these answers, i am beginning to believe that christianity is some sort of wierd cult
2007-03-23 06:33:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's not a proof of faith..that is just being stubborn and refusing to give them the satisfaction of getting words out of you.
I would say whatever they wanted and just keep believing my way because all I would have lost was the air it took to speak the lies they wanted.
Life is a gift and I will not go gently into that good night. I will claw, kick, bite, scream to hold onto it and just about anyone in between me and life will be broken.
2007-03-23 06:35:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. The whole purpose of the Christian faith is to have something that overcomes the thing that overcome us, the last being death. If you choose temporary life over death and over your faith, you have failed the test. If you doubt when challenged, then you do not have the faith to begin with.
2007-03-23 06:35:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No I would not.
Once you have a conviction of Christ in your heart it is undeniable. You know where you are going when you die and where your family is going if they remain faithful.
You will have to bear a btiny bit of pain but then it is done and the people who did it stand as a witness of your faith.
2007-03-23 06:30:52 · answer #5 · answered by SEAN M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That isnt a matter of faith- it's a matter of pride. You can say something to save those you love, but believe something else. I would openly convert, but my Family and I would hold our beliefs privately
2007-03-23 06:30:09 · answer #6 · answered by Goddess Nikki 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To save the lives of my children I would suffer any indignity or torture. As for myself, If it were me alone and no one I loved would suffer, I would take as many of the torturers out as I could on my way down, defending my ability to live as I chose.
2007-03-23 06:30:58 · answer #7 · answered by Sara 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My own life, well I will testify only concerning the Truth and I am willing to give up my life and not my Faith.
For my family's life and torture, this is more of a gray area in my life.
2007-03-23 06:30:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would choose death to denying CHRIST. Death would be a blessing and a release from this life into the presence of my GOD.
2007-03-23 09:11:12 · answer #9 · answered by Nancy B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How do you prove that someone denounces his faith? You can say you don't believe in God but still live a christian life.
You can also say you believe in God and live a satanic life.
Words are nothing.
2007-03-23 06:32:23 · answer #10 · answered by gnostic 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋