August 27, 2006
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Changing Faith
The two kidnapped journalist were released from the Gaza Strip today. The two were forced to say on videotape that they had converted to Islam before they were released. (At this rate, Islamic Militants have to kidnap two people a day for the next 3 billion years in order to convert everyone to Islamic beliefs).
Steve Centanni
Olaf Wiig
Would you be willing to say that you converted to Islam on videotape in order to be released from captivity?
Comments (273)
Probably not. I want to die a martyrs death.
In theory, no. I like to make bold statements. At least I’d like to think that I make bold statements.
No.
I think I would like to stick to my beliefs…granted, i’ve never been in a situation like that so I don’t know how I would act.
Some people crack under pressure. John McCain, after severe torture and beatings signed a North Vietnamese propaganda letter saying that he was a war criminal. Everyone has their breaking points.
completely. then i’d welch on it like I did on my baptism.
yeah, but i would take it back once i got out of there.
no
I’d like to think I’d stick to my beliefs, but if that’s all it would take … as Intrepidus said, everyone has a breaking point.
I’d probably take it back.
-Guru on the Hill
sure why not?
I wouldnt follow the religion.
no
I’d hope not. I don’t know if I’d be able to hold up, but if I cracked it’d be because I wasn’t strong enough to stand with my real beliefs.
-Jared
Nope. Screw them.
well if all i had to do was say it, why not? that way i could go home to my family. dying for religion is noble, but you’re still dead. i’d say it, go home, and spend the next week in church thanking god for getting me out of there without having to hurt myself or anyone else.
Yes, for my life. Words aren’t actions.
yea just cause you say it doesnt mean you mean it
This really validates the whole, “Islam is a peaceful religion” thing.
absolutely not! luv ya and god bless
lol
i wouldnt think that you would be denying god if you were a christian if you said you had converted to islam…I mean if it was a way to get out of harm..I think God would understand
no
To me to say I follow Islam means I am saying I do not follow the Lord Jesus Christ. No sir, I would not.
Yes. I understand people wanting to stay true to their faith, but you also have to think of your family, your friends, and your significant other (if you have one). If you refuse to *fake* a conversion and then die, your loved ones will be crushed.
I also think it would be a good idea for someone to fake a converstion, then *join* the terrorists (but pseudo-joining), and then wreak havoc from the inside out! Ass hole terrorists
conversion*** sheesh
perhaps?
I say no now.. but after I am put in a situation where I might possibly be tortured, I’m not sure. I seriously think that most people would claim they’ve converted to be freed.
no way, live by faith, die by faith.
it’s how i roll.
It wouldn’t matter to me if I did or did say I converted so that isn’t a big issue to me…but sense I hate terroists and people like them I woulndn’t say say it on tape….I would rather piss them off then get out unless they were going to kill me
Dan, you’d be surprised what a person would be willing to say and do under torture. I’ve seen torture from both sides of the gun per se, and believe me, what you think you’d do and what you’d truly do are two very different things.
Definitely. If my life was in danger I would do almost anything to save myself!
as many have said before me i’ve never been in tht situation so idk, but i would say i would try to not do tht………
heck yeah! i love my family to much and could give a crap about my word to a bunch of kidnappers forcing their beliefs down my throat.
No…the whole point of being a true Christian is standing up for what you belive no matter what is going to happen if you do.
Of course. The point is to get free. No one is going to believe you anyway under those circumstances.
Hmmm, if you were held captive and your captors said they would set you free if you renounced the name of Jesus Christ, would you do it?????
As for me, NOOOOOO, I would not say I converted to any form of religion to be set free.
Gain the world and lose my life…no thanks…
No! If you believe in something then you must be willing to stick with it and not compromise. I would not sell out.
I think that I’m the most manly man alive and seriously think that superman doesn’t have shit on me…but the thought of not seeing my kids or the thought of someone hurting them….Jesus, I’d do or say ANYTHING to keep that from happening!
…and now the shaking of the tree begins, may God help us and enable His to stand firm!
I heard about that.
I probably wouldn’t. I’m Athiest.
<33 Kimmy
Knowing me I would say something like “They told me to tell you I have converted to Islam”… and leave it at that. They’d never let me go.
Truthfully, it’s hard to say what you would do unless you were put into that situation. I would hope that I would not.
Wouldn’t even consider it an option.
Love.
tiger woods? really? so i guess my husband isnt the only weirdo out there. haha!
no. live by faith die by faith.
…which is fine for me to say because i’ve never had to choose death or faith
Ha. Sure. Because all my friends at home would know it’s a load of BS.
ryc: Yeah, he pulled the burning bush one, too. But it ends with some lizard, for reasons unknown.
“Tolerance-yes. Compromise-no”
John R. Cash
and me too
Fuck no, not because of my faith but probably because i hate taking shit from people.
Yeah. It’s not like some god is going to punish me because I lied about my spiritual beliefs.
I’m a Satanist so…we’re supposed to be selfish and do anything to save our ass, as long as it doesn’t hurt others.
Sure. I really doubt that any of these people saying they wouldn’t would stick to that if it happened.
‘This really validates the whole, “Islam is a peaceful religion” thing.’
It isn’t the religion, it’s the people. Case in point: the Crusades happened.
Anyway, I say yes. I think God would rather me live on to try to accomplish great things rather than have me somewhat foolishly try to justify my suicide.
Depends on what I’m being held for — if for journalismness – yeah. But if I am being held in any way because of my beliefs, then no. It’s complicated.
Let me see: Lie and atone for that lie later or don’t lie, stay captured and, perhaps, be killed. I’ll take lie my ass off for 200, Alex.
In one way, I could see why people would say no, because it would be denying God for your own self. It would be better in Heaven anyways, right?
But in another, God should understand. You wanted to keep yourself safe, so that you could live a long life praising Him.
In other words, I have no idea.
No, I would never deny that I believe in God and Jesus Christ in order to get out. I would have to live with that guilt until I die if I ever denied him. And of course, the afterlife would be pretty hot.
I probably would. I’m not a strict follower of my own faith, and words are words, it wouldn’t be as though they baptized me, and it doesn’t truly count if they baptize me and I don’t believe what I’m saying.
I’d want to see my loved ones again, and if I have to say something that’s not true, I’d probably do it.
Yes. Yes I would. Dying for your belief is easy, it’s done everyday. True courage coems from living and suffering for your belief
I’d rather die
No, I’ll bow down to God and only God.
i agree with go granny go that would be like denying Jesus
Well, I was baptised and now I’m an atheist…soo….they can think I actually converted, but as long as I don’t believe the beliefs, does it really count?
Eva.
No.
No. Never.
in a heartbeat… people say things they dont mean all the time. so why not then!?
No. Agree with go granny go. That would be denying that you follow Jesus Christ. I like to think I would be strong enough to stand up to my convictions.
yes..then i would just take it back.
i agree with rockinthepiano. Live by faith, die by faith.
Nope. If your not willing to die for what you believe in, what kind of belief do you have?
That’s sad… and no, I wouldn’t.
No way. At least I hope not. I hope God would give me the strength to live (and die) by my religion. Beside, it doesn’t really matter what I say now becuase I’m not presantly in that situation. You don’t need the ticket untill you get on the bus.
It’s easier said then done..remember that Peter the night Jesus was held captive denied knowing The Lord…all to save himself from death..and the Lord even knew this beforehand. The Lord then forgave him and Peter became one of the greatest preachers…on his first public speech he converted 5,000 gentiles…So we should never say never the only one that can Judge is God.
I would in a heartbeat. How important is the profession of a belief system? If I was christian, and these terrorists wanted me to say I had converted to Islam, I would. I’m sorry, but the way I believe, god will know what’s in my heart, regardless of what my mouth says.
No. I like what ‘go_granny_go’ said. She stole my words.
No, I wouldn’t say it. I think it would be an honor to be able to die for my faith. American Christianity is so full of trivial persecutions-that’s real persecution.
Fuck yes.
Definitely not, “A man is no fool who gives up what he can not keep to gain what he cannot lose” Thats a qoute from nate saint by the way, speared to death by the Waogoni while trying to witness to them.
No, but what difference would it make? There are people who claim to be Christians and people who claim to be patriotic, and people who claim to be any other religion. If you don’t let your statments effect who you are, then what difference does it make what you say.
Well I was practically raised Muslim (my dad is Egyptian) so it’s not a hard stretch for me. But I would like to believe since I don’t believe in god, I would deny it and just make them kill me or something. It depends on what I had waitng for me when I got back home, how bad the tourtured me, etc. But I really don’t know what I would do….
I would say no but I do not know what i would do if I was tortured or starved….I get crabby now as it is when I am hungry!
I might speak the words to be free but it wouldn’t be true in my heart.
First, good topic! Second, I think I would agree to change to Islam. I want to convert from Catholiscm to something better, though Islam would NOT be my first choice.
yeah, i’d like to live y’know
yes, but i wouldnt convert. i’d lie.
yes, but i would definetly be lying
me to
well.. it would depend on what God would want me to do. it would obvious in this situation that whoever is being held captive hasn’t *reall* converted to islam. and someone said up there that there are people who profess to being christian but they really aren’t ( i suppose only God can know for sure). what we say with our mouths doesn’t tell us what’s in our hearts. if God had greater plans for me and wants me to say something so that i can get out alive, then by all means! but hey, if He wanted me to die, then meh, fine, i’ll die. lol.
Everyone can and will break………I wouldn’t want to deny the truth about Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour…..But then if I did break, he would know what was truly in my heart.
no
I would like to say I wouldn’t, but I really don’t know.
No.
Yes! I would lie or even change to be release.
No. My great-grandfather was in that position in a jail in the Middle East almost 100 years ago. He was beaten every day because he would not renounce Christ. Eventually he and my great-uncle escaped and came to the U.S.
Ummmmmm! I read your message, but you haven’t done so yet. Hurry! It is still there……you only got the 2nd one…there was one before it!!!!!! Save me!
Any day of the week. Except for Monday.
Um.
Yes.
I’m sure the world would understand my wanting to live. No big deal. Just comply with what they ask, and go on with life.
Yeah, and than I’d send a video tape saying JUST JOKING BURN IN HELL.
nope
I’d really rather die. Really.
Then Jesus will kick ‘em all to Hell.
no.
I would rather die a marytr death because then, I wouldnt deny God, therefore if I died, I would be living tomorrow in a better place.
You betcha.
The media over there is going to let the people see only what they want them to see. Once released, the truth can be told here – the ENTIRE truth – so why not?
Save thy neck to come back and let everyone know what’s going on.
Hell yes. And those who say they wouldn’t are lying. I am sure all of you “no” people would be willing to give up your life and your loved ones just to NOT say some words, which is all they are, words. For petes sake everyone knew they did it under duress, so what did it accomplish? Nothing. It is a BELIEF. What comes out of your mouth does not necessarilly mimic what is in your soul.
Yes, because actions speak louder than words, and just saying that you’ve converted doesn’t mean that you’re “sinning” (if there really is such a thing). Then I wouldn’t practice it afterwards.
psh…yeah.
I’d change religions once I was released though.
haha…suckas!
pshh no
Ultimately, yes.
Of course. The militants would have to be naive to think that saying you’ve converted means you have. They let me go, I go on to tell the world that these people are idiots. Then again, I have no other religion to stay true to, so I guess it doesn’t affect me like it might a devout Christian, who might feel like lying to escape is still wrong somehow.
yeah, of course, lol
yeah, i would. just because i say it doesn’t make it true. i’m a unicorn. nope, still not a unicorn. see?
I agree with what “bellasblues” said
yeah, but im not very religious anyway so i wouldn’t feel like im betraying anyone… thats like the colombine thing, when the girl said yes she believed in god… would you have said it?
it depends… If I just had to say I did, then I was relesed, maybe. but If I had to burn the cross or something like that, no.
I would have no problem with it..I mean if I grew up with religion in my life (which I didn’t) I still wouldn’t care. Who wouldn’t want to be converted into Islam? If you’ve got the chance..haha.
Absolutely I would.
That sounds cowardly.
But I’m not religious in the first place, so I really wouldn’t be betraying any particular religion. I’m athiest.
I like how love_death_beauty put it. XD
I don’t know.
As a wise man once said, “A dead hero is really just dead.”
If Galileo can deny his discoveries, why can’t I deny my beliefs?
Also, I certainly don’t look down on those two journalists who made the smart decision (to live) and I hope no one else thinks less of them. It’s pretty easy to say you’d die for your faith when you’re sitting comfortably behind your computer sipping coffee or whatnot, but if you were on the other side of the world, away from your family, friends, and whoever else, you might say differently.
-Nick
Never negotiate with a terrorist. It only encourages them.
I probably wouldn’t get the chance to recant on TV. They’d have cut off my head long before they got the video camera set up. I’m too stubborn and argumentative. But if someone else wanted to say the magic words, I don’t think I’d fault them.
Absolutely not. Jesus said in the Bible, “if you deny Me before man, I will deny you before the Father.” Although that sounds harsh, God promises an amazing reward to martyrs for their sacrafice.
sure… doesn’t mean that you are. i guess just play the game.
I’d like to think that I’d just go crazy ninja and beat the living shit out of those bastards.
might say it but not sure if I could mean it under those conditions…
Anyone who says, “Oh, I sure as hell wouldn’t do that” is thinking too big of themselves. Of course there are people who really would refuse to say it no matter what the consequences, but unless you’re in the situation yourself, you don’t really have a clue. People are capable of doing things they never thought were possible of them under enormous amounts of pressure.
Sure. Because religion means nothing to me, it wouldn’t be a problem. Asking me to cross another moral might, though. For instance, I would not kill a loved one in return for my freedom.
no, thou shlat not lie
ALL THESE PEOPLE ARE FULL OF SHIT, THEY KNOW THEY WOULD’VE DONE THE SAME IF THEY WERE IN THE JOURNALIST’S SITUATIONS.
I’d kiss Allah’s ass if it meant keeping my head on my shoulders.
I am don’t consider myself Christian so I would be uttering empty and meaningless words to save my life. Seriously, martyrdom is stupid if it changes nothing and nobody in the world gives a shit.
p.s. I agree with NikBv
Yep.
I hope not.
yes..in order to live..i would.
but..i definitly wouldnt mean it. but..if i had to do something ridiculous, well..i still am not sure because i have never been in that situation.
I’ll die before I do.
Nope, I’m Catholic, and if offered the chance to die a martyr, I’m not complaining.
The ability to stand up under such pressures and not “convert” could only be granted by Jesus Christ. Therefore, I cannot give someone credit who resists since it is not on their own efforts that they resisted. But I also cannot point my finger at someone who gives in, since but for the grace of God I would give in as well. I hope He gives me the grace to stand firm should He ever entrust me with such a severe trial as martyrdom.
As much as we’d all like to say we wouldn’t, we can’t know that until we’re in the situation. I would like to no, but I really don’t know I guess.
Yes, because I don’t have a religion in the first place. But anyway, being a martyr is…such a waste, I think.
I would then come home and get babtised again and go to church.
xX-Nicole-Xx
*to say no
i think most people would say “no”, but in that situation, i’m sure they would because of fear and hopes of seeing their loved ones. it’s understandable to succumb to that kind of pressure though. i wouldn’t blame them. though, the variable in this question is: what if there were two people (one who was very faithful to their religion and one who really wasn’t [or didn't have a religion]) were captured and made to make that statement. i guess it just depends on the circumstances and the type of person captured, but i really hope that this doesn’t happen again. what are they really trying to prove? i don’t think they should force anybody under their religion at gunpoint :[ strange..mm?
No.
“There is no god but Allah and Mohammad is his prophet.”
I don’t know, maybe, probably. It seems ridiculous for someone to force others into their religion, isn’t that defeating the purpose?
I am a muslim myself and I think that’s just horrible. It says no where that we have to FORCE people into a religion, because doesnt that negate the whole spirituality of a religion to begin with?
I would.
Could I not just say I had converted to Islam but in the back of my mind know how I really felt?.. I don’t know, maybe that’s just as bad as really converting to Islam in God’s eyes… but I know that I would never truely convert to Islam, no matter what… and under that sort of pressure, I might say I was, if I knew it wouldn’t matter to God… but if it did…then I guess they’d have to kill me, because I would never give in to that kind of crap.
well im weird since im my rents are one muslim one catholic soo its not a big diff if i said yes but id say no
just because i feel if i had said yes to them then they feel doing what they are is right
that they’re accomplishing what they want
and i think there is no better way to die then fighting for what u believe in
that shows a huge lack of faith…
as much as i’d like to say that my faith is stronger than that, they can’t be judged, because they went through it and none of us did.
god will not test you beyond what you can endure
but we can do nothing w/out him who gives us strength
maybe they werent christians to begin w/?
Not gonna happen.
No. My faith means enough to me to die for.
I don’t know. I think there’s definately two different ways to look at it.
The first is, of course, that words are simply words, and don’t always translate over into actions. They could force me on a prayer mat, and make me recite some Islamic prayer, but what I pray in my heart is definately not going to be directed toward Allah.
However there is also the problem that some people have with actually saying it, because in essence, saying it means you’re denying Christ (or whoever you believe in), and turning your back on Him. If you’re going to say anything to get yourself out of that situation, then maybe you’re not completely sincere.
I don’t know if I’d say it or not. I’d like to think I wouldn’t, but as it’s been said earlier, everyone has a breaking point. Though I also have the faith to believe that if I was forced to confess I’d converted, God would both understand and forgive me.
sure. God is god afterall.
uh yeah. both religions believe in the same god, so it wouldn’t make much of a difference, would it?
no. its just like columbine. would you say you believed in god if someone had a gun ot your head??
no… i’d never be able to live with myself knowing i had denied my faith… i think i’d rather die with the faith than live with the guilt…
I dunno. I want to say that i would say no. But. I guess u can’t really know unless u actually go through something as horrible as that.
Hi dan! Are you going to watch the EMMYS?
Well, just because you say that you’ve converted doesn’t mean you actually have. You have to mean the words, not just say them. Somehow, I think I would do more good in this world given a chance to live, than die because I didn’t ‘convert’ for them. It doesn’t make me a coward, it just means I have limits like every other human.
Of course I would. Just because you say something, doesn’t make it true. (That goes both ways, by the way.)
I’d say I worshipped pig sh*t if it saved my life. I don’t care.
Oh, HELL yeah!
i know u probably won’t read this but i wanted to know if u wanted to be my affiliate?( an affiliate is like a partner) i’ve sorta started the whole quetion per day thing but mine’s not as popular. it’s not that i want the popularity i can give something too. my questions may not always be religious but i can come up with good questions. plz!!!!! asking,
Jess
wtf of course i would.
It’s the Crubicle question. I’d say yes. In a logical sense, I get out alive only for that small sacrifice. In a religious sense, I think God knows life is a precious gift and doesn’t want us to throw it away on these trivial things that barbaric violence-obsessed militants put us through.
-David
Everyone here is saying no, but I sincerely doubt that they would actually follow through with it, granted that there’s a big chance they might be beheaded. I imagine at least one of those Fox journalists followed some religion closely and felt the question of whether to become a martyr or not.
But martyrdom is overrated. Immensely overrated. God might want us to believe in Him but God also doesn’t want us committing suicide at every opportunity we get
-David
The Muslim people believe in the same God anyway, and they believe Jesus existed, they just add an extra prophet to their list, it’s not like people are admitting to Satanism here
-David
I’ll say whatever the hell they want me to say so I can go home. They can’t force you to mean it.
uh yeah. both religions believe in the same god, so it wouldn’t make much of a difference, would it?
Posted 8/27/2006 at 6:06 PM by aliciarrrr
Go do your homework, dear.
Well yeah … I wanna be free & go back home.
They dont gotta know that I was lying the whole time >P
I would like to say that I wouldn’t, but like others have said, I haven’t been put in that position so I honestly don’t know what my reaction would be.
uh yeah. both religions believe in the same god, so it wouldn’t make much of a difference, would it? Posted 8/27/2006 at 6:06 PM by aliciarrrr
Go do your homework, dear.
Posted 8/27/2006 at 6:31 PM by Cheyenne17124
i understand the difference of the religions. i have a really good friend who is Muslim, and i’ve asked her loads of questions about the religion. my point was, it’s the same God, so why would he get mad?
Bring on the persecution of being a christian and refusing to convert ^.^
Hell, I would do more than say I converted to Islam, I would listen to some prosletizing, ask some questions, then spit something so thoughtful out they might ask me to preach for them to the poor misguided heathen brethren. Hope to get released, maybe, maybe not then get the hell out and decide later what to do.
You do exactly what you have to do to LIVE. Whether or not you want to squeeze any knowledge of anything from a rotten situation in many cases out of your control is up to you.
I bet they learned something about Islam. I hope they don’t hate it now, after the terror and gratitude wears off, rage and hate usually sink in. Not always though. What a wretched experience to have to go through. I bet the cornflakes in a base mess hall will be the best processed cereal they ever had.
I hope they sleep well as soon as possible.
absolutely. thats a no-brainer for me.
I believe that in a moment like that God gives those who believe in Him to stand for him. So no i would not. Plus they would have to kill me before they videotape me, I’m a fighter.
Nope, never! I would never deny my faith in Jesus.
yes. nobody ever said “crosses don’t count”
completely. then i’d welch on it like I did on my baptism.
Posted 8/27/2006 at 2:48 PM by RaVnR
If a loaded gun was aimed at your head? Or even just the mere threat of having to eat their food for the rest of your capitve days? Everyone that said, “no” would be singing a different tune.
Jesus said: “He who denies me before men, I will deny before my father.” I hope and pray that if asked to renounce my faith, I’d stand tall and face whatever punishment may follow.
Nah, I guess I’d have to die for my faith.
I know this is sort of wrong to say but… Olaf Wiig is the funniest name I’ve ever heard aside from Spud Melvin.
no
no, my faith is one thing i’ll never give up. i’d die a martyr’s death
They’d probably just have to kill me.
“At this rate, Islamic Militants have to kidnap two people a day for the next 3 billion years in order to convert everyone to Islamic beliefs”
i duno if u counted the ppl going to be born in the next w/e years, but i think u made a mistake in ur calculations and point-making.
and perhaps the militants r just proving how godless the west really is (assuming the journalists take it back)
yeh i would say it but words are just words: hollow. All that matters is what you believe inside.
Absolutely not. They’ll have to torture me to death before I deny Christ.
If it’s a matter of survival, yes.
no clue
I am sad to say that I would deny the Lord I believe in to free myself.
But God would know that they are just words and what really matters is what I truly believe.
It is a fact that I hardly lie, and on a matter as important as my religion, I would not lie.
yes, but i wouldn’t actually convert to it.
It’s for my life. So yes. And anyone who says otherwise is a big fat liar. When you’re about to get killed, you do anything to save yourself.
Probably.
Because in my heart I would know my faith and beliefs hadn’t changed.
Just because other people saw that I claimed to have converted doesn’t mean that my heart was changed.
But I would feel horrible about not dying for my faith.
Maybe I would, maybe I wouldn’t.
On the flipside of Lionsgrrr1: Allah could kiss my ass before I’d deny Christ.
i don’t think i could let myself…
I’d never know unless it happened..But I’d like to think not. But, itsn’t that what all of us would like to think? Who knows what someone might do under pressure..
Yes, if it meant I’d leave alive. You didn’t really convert, so what’s the harm in just saying you did?
Btw: I read some peoples comments, and you aren’t denying Christ by saying you converted. Islam consists of worshipping God too. God is the same no matter what religion, or what he’s called in that religion.
No. I would fervently hope I would die for my faith in the Christian God and not forsake Him before the barbarians of the Islamic/Muslim faith. If I could not profess my life for Christ then what good am I in beleiving in Him? I would rather the barbarians of the Islamic/Muslim faith send me to my God and Savior then for me to deny that He is the true God. I would not want to live with the knowledge that I failed God and was not a witness for Him in my darkest day.
Perhaps these two journalist do not have a particular faith? Perhaps they did not believe in any God at all when that “converted” to the Islamic faith.
I could say no now easily, but if I were scared I’d probably buckle.
hell yea, if i wanted to live
well it depends on if I wanted to convert people into terrorism and blow some people up or not. If so, then no. I wouldn’t.
I think its funny that 90% of the people who said no, would probably break in under one week of being captive and say anything. Its easy to be strong when youre not actually being tortured or threatened.
I’d say ANYTHING.
Kill me before i deny my King
Of course, that’s an easy answer now… i pray that i could stay strong. After all, what better death is there?
fuck Islam. I’ll take a bullet in the head before saying anything like that, on tape or not.
The “I have converted over to Islamic” deal is nothing new. During Islamic rule in Spain, many christians and jews “converted” over to the Islamic religion to avoid paying taxes and persecution. Yet they still practiced their religion behind the muslim’s backs. Is it considered wrong to pretend to “convert” to another religion to live another day? As the old saying ” run away today and live to fight another day” (or something along those lines). So…is it wrong? cowardly? self-righteous Would dying that moment really change their thoughts and mindsets on christians or westerners?
I would like to think that when that time comes, I can stand up for what I believe.
Sure. I have no problem lying.
Consider it my greatest performance!
And if any American patriot radical bigots give me shit when I get back here I’d smack them in the head and say “HAVE YOU NEVER HEARD OF FICTION?”
Besides, it’s none of their damn business if I’m Islamic or not… I work with an Islamic guy and he is cool as hell..
nope…I rather live with Jesus Christ our Lord, God, and Savior then to be seperated from Him forever.
Absolutely positively NOT.
I would like to believe that no circumstance would cause me to denounce my God.
Nope.
Sure- religion means nothing to me anyway- so it is all a bunch of words in the end.
I am “anything you want me to be”…
I have never been put in that position to have to make that decision but I don’t think I would.
I could say that I am the wizard of oz…doesn’t make it so. If they practiced that religion that’s a whole different kettle of fish.
NO, NO, NO!!!!
No.
HELL YES!
interesting question. REmember all the christian martyrs? Most of them were martyred (ie., killed) because they refused to lie and say they were something they weren’t. Whether that was saying they thought the Roman emperor was God, or whether they thought the Pope was infallible, or any of the other reasons people have been martyred.
RElativism is so ingrained into us now that it almost seems stupid not to save your self when just speaking words would free you.
I do not believe I would be a martyr. But at least it’s an ideal to aspire to.
Never. I would rather die than bow to the false-god “allah.”
Wouldn’t do it if I didn’t mean it, and interesting as the history of Islam is I don’t have any thoughts of converting to it in my lifetime. The captors should realize this type of ‘evanglism’ is only going to further villifying the image of Islam to the world.
Btw: I read some peoples comments, and you aren’t denying Christ by saying you converted. Islam consists of worshipping God too. God is the same no matter what religion, or what he’s called in that religion.
That is not true. To convert to Islam, you must recite a “prayer” to the false-god “allah,” which reads in part “I acknowledge that there is one god, allah (the most merciful), and he has no son.” To convert to Islam, one must directly deny Christ.
Hell yeh!
Yeah….probably. God knows what’s in your heart.
hell yeah! i might be lying but at least im going free!
I hope not.
Yes
If you have no other faith then you would be a fool to die for nothing. As for me I would die.
Yes.
You would know in your heart what you believe in, no matter what you say. A life is much more valuable.
People lie all the time. They lie about little things, they lie about big things, but lieing is lieing, so I don’t see the difference here. Especially since it is your life on the hand.
And besides, if there is a god, wouldn’t that god understand why you lied? wouldn’t that god know in your heart you still believe in them?
Although don’t those kidnappers realize that making someone say they’ve converted to islam really doesn’t mean anything. No one can make someone BELIEVE in what they want. That is up to the person.
Of course I would. People who say no have romantic visions in their heads of them standing by their beliefs and defeating the terrorists, but I think they underestimate the survival instinct. As for me, being tied to no particular religion, it would be easy. Plus, just because you say it on tape to save your life doesn’t mean it’s true.
“If you renounce Me before men, then I will reject you before GOD” – Jesus
Even if you are a buddhist, then i am sure that they have a statement like that somewhere also.
i want to think no.. but in this case.. i think i would. cause i don’t wanna be tortured everyday or w/e. but it wouldn’t matter if i did say so cause i know i would be lying anyways XD I JUST WANT TO LIVE! I DON’T CARE HOW!!
Good question………………………………nope.
No, I can’t. I fully believe it would be a lie for me to follow any other religion that Christianity. I believe the Quaran is a holy book, and there are true things in it, and that the Islamic people worship the same God that we do. However, the Quaran is open to interpentation,like the Bible is(thought they say it is “unchanged”, if you look in the history of the Quaran it was “revised” more than once in the past. Even Mohammad some times contridicted himself.)
hell yeah…….if anyone say otherwise then they are lying.
I’d probably say anything to be freed.
No. No matter what is my breaking point. I’ll just pass my breaking point.
Yes. Just saying you converted doesn’t make it true, if you don’t believe it in your heart. It might help you live another day, though.
And after reading some of these other responses, I’m a little afraid of your Jesus. He’d condemn you for saving your own life? Nice guy.
I would NEVER denounce my faith in Jesus… period. But if I had to say that I believe in Islam to survive, I would do it… only to be released and make it my mission to share the good news of Jesus Christ! I would owe Him that much for protecting me! Just because I say it doesn’t mean I believe it… and God knows my heart… that’s all that matters.
No because I believe that its better to die and go to heaven because you did for your faith then have the guilt for the rest of your life that you said those things against your faith just to be selfish and save your life. My friend grew up in and one night these people came to his village in search of his father b/c he was a preacher. They offered him one last chance to say that he believed in islam. He proudly said no I am but a true christian and was shot instantly before his son’s eyes. My friend ran like he was trained to due in case of this situation and heard another shot thinking they killed his mother too. After that he was a lost boy until he came to the usa and became a preacher. He is still haunted by the death of his father but proud he did not stand down.
*megan*
it could happen to anyone anyone could crack under pressure and say anything. 2+2=5
No way. “If you deny me before man, I will deny you before my father in heaven.” Nothing at all is worth Jesus denying me before God in heaven. Dying in God is better than living with the knowledge that you sold out.
Nope.
the world is insane…. but we already knew that
lol
…ppl have problems….but we knew that too
Yes but I am atheist….
saying you did, doesnt mean you actually did
so yes
but im an agnostic. it doesnt even matter
no…i would stand up for my faith and die for it.
never
absolutely
In a heartbeat. Who am I kidding? I’d not be brave enough to do otherwise.
Depends on how high the stress level was…I honestly can’t tell you right now how I would respond.
No.
[ariana]
(I think you mean 2 people a day for 3 billion days.) That’s only 821,000 years, really. Far more reasonable…
No….But right now that`s easy for me to say, I`m safe at this point in time.
I`d like to think I would tell them to kiss my ass.
nope
Eventually I would say it. Say it too quickly and they will think your faith is fake, you have to bleed for change a little… hopefully metaphorically speaking. But eventually, I would whole heartedly do and say what I had to to convince them that I was converted and let me free. I can always make a later statement about the futility of forcing beliefs and how that only makes people feel more strongly about what is being taken away from them. After all, as a future psychologist, I could use the horrible experience as an oppertunity to educate others about the psychology of belief systems, etc. and probably have exactly the opposite effect that my captors intended. How futile and tragic… trying to bribe and force others into the “one true faith” is never an effective strategy.
Of course I don’t know all the details. Anyway, I would consider the deal part of their own foolishness and having nothing to do with my honor and loyalty to my own beliefs.
No, I don’t think I would. My faith is pretty strong. But one never knows where the breaking point is. I think this group that kidnaped these guys was under intense preasure to release them but had to save face. This mock conversion served that purpose for them.
Absolutely not… could die knowing that I did the right thing and I could die as an example.
God bless you,
Mindi
i dunno i wloud take it back
Ok I would not say that I had converted to Isalm. Because yes it would be denying Jesus Christ. I hate to tell you but the Bible does say that you should have no other God’s before thee. As a Christian I would rather die and martyers death and have my friends and family realize that I was not afriad to stand for what I believe. So I don’t want to rain on any one else’s ideas but if you did have a significant other he/she would understand why you did not deny your faith. Also your family members would understand also. They raised you that way I am assuming if not then it might be God’s way of getting their attention and letting them know that they need to come to him.
o yeah!! i would say it but that does change my acutal beliefs i’ll just take it bak as soon as i get out of their!!
Ok I would not say that I had converted to Isalm. Because yes it would be denying Jesus Christ. I hate to tell you but the Bible does say that you should have no other God’s before thee. As a Christian I would rather die and martyers death and have my friends and family realize that I was not afriad to stand for what I believe. So I don’t want to rain on any one else’s ideas but if you did have a significant other he/she would understand why you did not deny your faith. Also your family members would understand also. They raised you that way I am assuming if not then it might be God’s way of getting their attention and letting them know that they need to come to him.
im completely with TH1SL1F3 an i think Tinleg is full of crap
hmm lets see…..NOT!!!!!!!!!!! no question..no waiting..no pauses……..hmm that is a no brainer…should I gain the whole world but loose my life with God in Heaven…DUH!!!
To deny my Jesus for freedom?
No.
Not a chance.
I believe I would be unable to.
Now, Nathan’s Paraphrased Version of the Bible, “And no forces, earthly or spiritual, can pluck you from His hand”
Good, thought provoking post though.
In the perfect world I would make statements regarding my own beliefs, which stem from just about every religion, and convince them that I was not worth killing. Much more entertaining to watch me ramble!
However, in a real life situation where if anything can go wrong it will, I would say; yes, I have converted to Islam, I have accepted it as my religion.
Why? There are many parts of many religions I agree with, so to deny would mean I do not accept their faith, period. And, in essence, sound like an ignorant prick. To accept, I accept. I accept that at that moment in time they are taking irrational measures because they have interpreted their meaning in life the way they have. I accept the good parts of Islam, I embrace them, I accept it. The part of every religion that strives to reach a higher level… And I accept the bad parts too, as I do with everything I come across.
Yes. Live by faith, die by faith. But, which faith? All, one, or none? Do we accept all those around us and hope to improve ourselves? Or do we accept only one religion and keep our eyes closed and ignorant of another’s? Do we accept no religion and only see what we want to see; to see any with a religion, a faith, one single belief, as someone who can not fend for themselves?
I take bits and pieces from every religion and faith I come across that I like. I have molded those thoughts, opinions, and theories of life, God, Buddha, Allah into my own little system. But I have not forgotten each religion as a whole, as it’s own self. No. To do that would be like divorcing your spouse because he or she did not agree with you on everything. Where is the challenge?
Anyway, that’s just my two cents. I think I got a tad off topic, but my point got across I hope.
-
Q.E.
I just couldn’t imagine the situation. Would fear succeed??
I just couldn’t imagine denying Jesus>
But Peter did.
and he was a disciple.
Tough question.
good question.
If saying it would spare my life….sure, I don’t have to mean it.
Sure would! All I’d be doing is telling them what they want to hear, people do that all day long.
Probably. People say I need to be more religious anyway.
And… I WANT TO LIVE. Just like eaglefox said, it’s just telling people what they want to here.
Probably yes. I know that that’s a horrible thing to say, and it’s like giving in to terrorists. However, I don’t think it’s worth dying for. God would know that I still believe in Him and people would probably know that I would just be saying it to be released. I figure that’s the only reason why those journalists said that. I would be disappointed in myself, but at least I’d be alive. I can do a lot of things in my life to help other people, and I would apologize to God. I would try to pray a lot more if that happened.
Oh, I’d say it. But I can’t help thinking how much of a joke I’d see it as for doing it. I really doubt the gods are going to be worried for saying something. Now, when I save a life by running into a fire or stopping a suicide or even saving the world, now THAT’S what’s important. Language is one thing, actions are another.
’nuff said…
Never. Jesus Himself will come down and grab me before I deny Him.
[It's one of my life verses: "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the Gospel of the Grace of GOD."--Acts 20:24]
No. I would rather die.
Yes!