I've been wondering for awhile now, and I'd like to see specific answers (either passages from the Bible) or logical arguments. Please, don't reply 'just because they are' and don't say that's it's simply a matter of understanding God/Christian faith.
If you're not sure of what I mean by mean question, I'm refering the forced conversions and genocide of Native Americans in the 16th, 17th and early 18th centuries, along with a majority of Christian/Catholic movements around the world.
2007-06-16 12:52:04 · 13 answers · asked by Integri 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I have read a great deal of world History as it pertains to Christianity. I think the forced conversions may have been the WORST SINGLE mistake the Catholic Church made throughout the years. The Bible clearly teaches the conversions has to be a personal decision made by the individual. Throughout History, however, it has been convert or die or pay hugh taxes. The Inquisition was a terrible tragedy also. I do have a different view on the Crusades and Holy Wars against the Muslims. Muhammed and his followers are the one that brought about the blood shed and violence on the land. The Islamic Caliphate (Empire) swept across the land with a feirce vengance and it didn't have mercy on anybody. The Muslims screamed "Convert or die" and then added "Convert, die, or pay extreme taxes" for not being Muslim. Well I am glad the Catholics finally took a stand against this. If it hadn't been for the Crusades the entire world may be Muslim and Christianity may be an extinct belief.
2007-06-16 13:02:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Word and Will of God may NOT be imposed upon anyone... That would be against The Word and Will of God... The offences against The Word and Will of God, that you cite, were carried out by the roman catholic cult... not by True Christians... and it was for monitary and political gain and worldly power...if you look honestly at the history of such actions against The Word and Will of God you will see that they all failed.... God will not allow such actions to go unpunished... since the founding of Potestnatism there have also been such actions by protestant missionaries... none of them have been successful either... those mission efforts which succeed are those which do not impose... but rather serve and support those to whom The Salation Message is offered... and which server and support even when The Message is rejected.. all ,manner of humanitarian aid is offered by God's True People around the world.
2007-06-16 13:04:59 · answer #2 · answered by idahomike2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no justification whatsoever in forcing someone to become a Christian. Because God knows that a forced conversion is not a true conversion. So I cannot justify what happened in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries.
2007-06-16 12:58:37 · answer #3 · answered by Searcher 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Dear integri,
They aren't justified by the Bible. And people who use the Bible to justify it have really missed the central message of the Bible.
The Bible is quite clear that not only does God love man. But he wants man to love Him back. God will not force man to love him-- does he have the power to (yes...) but he won't. This is why man has the choice to love God or to reject God's love.
There have been many things done in the name of Christianity that are not of Christ. I.E.: The holocaust, Crusades, they are tragic events lead by men who showed that they did not understand the Bible and if anything possibly used it as a scapegoat for their crazy plans.
They aren't justified.
The Bible teaches that people believe with their hearts and that God knows our hearts. Why would God justify forcing people to believe in Him when he knows that anyone forced wouldn't truly believe???
Hope that helps. Kindly,
Nickster
2007-06-16 13:15:23 · answer #4 · answered by Nickster 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Also, how are religious crusades by Any religion or forced conversion justified by God? The answer-neither and none. The Bible says test everything in light of scripture.
2007-06-16 13:15:17 · answer #5 · answered by Bruce7 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take it from me a youthful Christian guy (22 y/o) who additionally mentors different men, there is often temptation there, the be attentive to-how that no intercourse in the previous marriage, needs to be a private conviction from observing the Bibke, expressed to the guy your relationship, observed via setting up barriers and hedges to confirm your fulfillment in purity. meanwhile all this prayer for God to purify your heart as basically He can do. LDS has many subject concerns, you do no longer choose an agency like that, you opt for a stable community church who follows the Bible and then pursue a female for a relationship/courtship with any luck for marriage. there is to many subject concerns to point with LDS yet we as Christians follow Jesus Christ first and develop into aside of His physique the church. faith is a cutting-edge from God, unbelief is a option to reject it.
2016-10-09 08:42:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible doesn't justify such things. People doing those things are not following the Bible.
2007-06-16 13:10:02 · answer #7 · answered by Steve Amato 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To my knowledge, there is no such thing as forced conversions....and the crusades were merely an attempt by a ruler to make people believe what he believed to be true...ie. follow my agenda or else.
A person can not be forced to believe. A person can however be forced to practice a religion that they do not believe in. In my opinion, that is not only wrong, it is without value to God.
2007-06-16 12:56:27 · answer #8 · answered by Poohcat1 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
They are not justified by the Bible.
Who says they were?
Christians TRY to live up to the teachings of Jesus.
We all fail at times.
2007-06-16 13:00:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
those people only knew bible from it's outside cover and just because they did it does not mean it is right. forced conversion are not said in the bible and it is also not right to do such things.
2007-06-16 12:56:29 · answer #10 · answered by da 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋