to Fred Schlomka: on religious conversion
Reader comment on item: "Muslim Group Targets Jewish Holidays"
in response to reader comment: religious conversion

Submitted by Anubhav Singh (India), Aug 3, 2006 at 09:48

"..Jews or Muslims have never sent religious people around the world and coerced and slaughtered milions in the name of their G-d and conversion...."

I have strong objections to ur statement above (if it matters to you). Islam has been 'spread' by sword. I can tell you horror stories of Islamic invasion on ancient India for 6 centuries. It is estimated that 80 million Hndus/Buddhists were killed between 10th and 17th century in Afghanistan and ancient India, so that Hinduism and Buddhism is wiped out completely from Afghanistan and Pakistan. Persia was Islamicised withing 16 yrs. HOW?

Your statement is something akin to denying Holocaust. Both the Abrahamic faiths except Judaism have been involved in 'spreading' their faith. And they also perceive 'monotheism' as some sacrosanct, 'superior' concept. Its not funny.

Religion is an integral part of social-customs/culture, as you mentioned. Its different in Europe and America because they 'adopted' their religion. and that is why Jews in Israel are different, as you have observed. Ever noticed the difference in the facial features of Jesus in the churches of Spain to Germany. That to me is Greek version of pagan God not refusing to go away from an average European. Ever seen an Indonesian with an arabic style of beard and reciting Koran in Arabic, thats Arabic religion trying to supersede Indonesian culture. How will they cope with it. I dont know. Right now they see Bin Laden as their hero.

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