Renouncing One’s Faith

There’s a lot of (understandable) anger in the world around forced religious conversion.

It’s a problem that’s been happening to different people from different religions around the world at different points in history.

Sometimes it is caused by a religion that thinks it is the only possible Truth and must get everyone else to practice it no matter the cost. Sometimes it is caused by political powers trying to maintain control of the populace.

Whenever it happens, we hear stories of people who refused to bow down. People who would rather die than renounce their faith. We admire martyrs. Many of us like to think that we would be that strong to stick to our faith no matter what.

One imagines being really heroic and, even with a sword to the throat, declaring one’s undying love for the Gods we have chosen.

But the truth of the matter is, I wouldn’t be that martyr.

I personally think that surviving is the more important thing. If someone used force to get me to convert to Christianity or Islam, I’d say sure. I’d go along with it.

I’d also bide my time, knowing that oppression can someday end and Hinduism could flourish in my life once more.

Hinduism is something that is in my heart and my soul. I know no one and nothing can actually change that. Someone could force me to claim allegiance to another faith, to other Gods, but they would be nothing but forced words. In my mind, I’d still be praying to my Gods.

I could pray to the Christian God and see Shiva in my mind. I could bow to Allah because Brahma can see my thoughts and know that my sincerity is towards Him. The Gods understand circumstance.

Better to stay alive and reaffirm my love of Hinduism as soon as I was back to a place where I was free to do so.

I’m no hero.

I don’t know if that’s a bad thing or a good thing, but just being realistic I am fairly certain that I wouldn’t take a stand if someone were going to kill me for it. At least not on the issue of what name I call God by. There are issues I’d take risk for, but that’s not one of them.

No matter what anyone else does, Hinduism is a part of me and it cannot be taken away.

What do you think? Is it noble to die rather than renounce one’s faith?