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Monotheism evil?

Reader comment on item: Making Culture an Element of Immigration Policy
in response to reader comment: King Olaf v. The Muslim invaders of India

Submitted by Kepha Hor (United States), Dec 30, 2014 at 08:53

True, there is nothing in the New Testament that demands conversion by the sword. In the cases of the forced conversions of the Saxons and the Norse, it was used on rather dangerous peoples. Yet at all turns in Christian history, we see questioning of such methods. A good case in point is the strongly biblicist William Tyndale (early 16th century) arguing that the New Testament offers no indulgence for those killed in holy war. Further, despite a long history of warfare with Islam, Eastern Orthodoxy seems to have never developed a doctrine of plenary indulgence for holy warriors comparable to those given by Popes to Crusaders.

But if we talk of forced conversions, do we not also see the same in modern ideologies? Even enlightenment liberalism had its Rousseau, who spoke of the "General Will" that could compel people to be "free". I suspect there is something deeply rooted in human nature that leads the up-and-coming to try to force the conscience of one's neighbor; and a corresponding defensive reaction. A serious issue with Islam is that it gives this will to power and compulsion a divine sanction in its foundational texts.

Submitting....

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Reader comments (24) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
1Misunderstanding Diversity in Cultural Appropriation - Invasion Versus Immersion [151 words]M ToveyAug 17, 2021 14:30272735
3It's about time [19 words]dhimmi no moreAug 21, 2015 06:53224768
7Pakistanis, Indian Muslims and Bangladeshis and the West [118 words]dhimmi no moreDec 23, 2014 08:50219913
3mayor of Rotterdam Aboutaleb wishes for potential Dutch jihadis to leave [332 words]mythNov 26, 2014 06:33219484
3the Difference..... [125 words]DonevanAug 12, 2014 13:05217105
2Limiting immigration based on cultural groups [52 words]Rena GalutziAug 11, 2014 22:59217092
3Sign of the Times [67 words]Kyle FAug 3, 2014 18:35216498
3Yes, cultures are different, but... [224 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Peter HerzAug 3, 2014 15:47216495
5Agree with Dr. Pipes Muslim refugees should be sent to Saudi Arabia, other Muslim countries only!! [119 words]JaladhiAug 25, 2014 16:56216495
1Belated response to Dr. Pipes's response to me [161 words]Peter HerzDec 24, 2014 23:45216495
Cultural Assimilation Part of Mexican-American War Debate [62 words]DaveAug 1, 2014 17:40216466
10Religion v. culture India and Pakistan [74 words]dhimmi no moreAug 1, 2014 17:02216465
2Good point DNM [63 words]VijayAug 2, 2014 17:53216465
2Hindus and Pakistanis from similar cultures??? [257 words]Michael SAug 3, 2014 10:41216465
A broader view [91 words]Ray PellandAug 6, 2014 12:47216465
3Culture v. Religion again [85 words]dhimmi no moreAug 10, 2014 11:32216465
7Muslim from India and Pakistan do not have the same culture as those of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains!! [174 words]JaladhiAug 25, 2014 16:32216465
An important distinction [139 words]Julius O'MalleyAug 26, 2014 09:06216465
8Pakistanis and the Arabs [343 words]dhimmi no moreAug 28, 2014 07:11216465
to dhimmi no more [79 words]KephaDec 24, 2014 23:50216465
4King Olaf v. The Muslim invaders of India [129 words]dhimmi no moreDec 28, 2014 08:15216465
Monotheism evil? [193 words]Kepha HorDec 30, 2014 08:53216465
1The Spanish invasion of Mesoamerica and South America and Islam [308 words]dhimmi no moreJan 7, 2015 17:09216465
1daily mail: mass migration hurts us all [130 words]mythAug 1, 2014 06:07216454

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