Convert to Islam, or die.

Originally Posted by Dubble

... You also may have heard of several Al-Quieda members who released a tape with an American-Saudi man who also urged americans to basically "convert or die." Anyways, thier account stated that the kidnappers held guns to the backs of thier heads, ordered them to renounce God (and what I would assume is ties to thier country as well) and basically convert to Islam on the spot or die right there.

To me, an act like that almost seems ghoulishly similar to the Spanish Inquisition or the Crusades by comparison but it also brings up a good question:

If you were in the same high pressure life threatening situation and someone demanded that you convert to Islam (or any other religion for that matter) or die by a bullet to the back of your head and you had no way out, would you renounce God or whatever your beliefs may be just to escape alive? Or would you stand by your convictions and what you believe in - ultimately taking the bullet and/or hoping/praying that you get out of the situation unscathed? The journalists renounced what they believed in to make it out alive, do you think they made the right decision or the wrong one? How do you see it?

Ok i must say i'm very satisfied with the way the discussion went after this intro, which i thought would lead to some sort of shit-flinging contest. Everyone here except Soluzar seems to have a healthy mindset about it.

Let me clear two things up though, as a past muslim (Athiest now) :

1- Islam never stated you can do that, and there is a verse that specifically orders not to ask a person to convert or else, and i mean or else ANYTHING, not just death : It's porhibited to force them by offering any unpleasant alternative, even if that alternative's clipping his toe-nails, if that discomforts the person in question . : So this fanatic is acting out of his ass, against Islam's teaching.

2- Islam states that the prophet Muhammed was asked about being in such a situation (if you're a muslim) and being asked to announce your disbelief in islam in exchange for your life, and he said that if you fear any harm you can say that you don't to save your life, as long as you still believe in it in your heart. Clearly stated "hadeeth" (reports about the prophet's sayings).

Just had to state that to be fair. I'm against the idea of religion in general, but also against misleading actions.

Also, Soluzar is a liar.

One more thing : Although you CAN lie and "convert" to save your life , if it's a situation that can lead to many people following suit (because they thought you took it in by heart) or any other case that would shake the foundations of belief/representation of islam in other people's minds you would be responsible to stand by your beliefs. If something little such as one's life is at stake then it's ok to lie (according to the prophet) but anything causing mass confusion or damage should be handled in another way. You get my point.

Jam it back in, in the dark.