Did Islam really spread by The Sword ? (reject, followers, missionaries)

[The Shield of Islam]

Originally Posted by SOMITW

The muslim religion did convert by the sword.

This is not true, Can you tell me how Islam spread in Indonesia please ?

However, that is not a key aspect of the flaws in the religion. Mohhammed had a flaw, he could not read or write. He only spoke to people and they copied down what he said.

This is also not true, prophet Muhammad could not read or write but he was inspired by God, he did not speak out of his mind, he was inspired by God.

Now, when the men brouht all the different interpretations of his words to the highers, they were simply combined to make a good sounding book. The muslims also made a change in their religion, this is about the direction the pray in, now why in the world would a religion change,...God is the same today as He was yesterday.

Again, you are very mistaken, the direction of our prayer was Jerusalem because Mecca at that time was still in the hands of the Pagans who killed and tortured so many early muslims, when Mecca was liberated, the direction was restored back to Mecca.

[LCMS Sprecher]

Is Indonesia the only example of Islam not spreading by the sword? If so, it is only one out of dozens. I would also raise the point that Buddhism and Hinduism did not spread by the sword either so it is not to say that the only way any non-Christian relgion can gain followers is by the sword. I would also note that fact that Christian missionaries in some of the Islamic countries are not allowed to operate except under secrecy. I understand that this is not a debate forum, so I will refrain from further comment until it enters the debate forum.

[The Shield of Islam]

Originally Posted by LCMS Sprecher

Is Indonesia the only example of Islam not spreading by the sword? If so, it is only one out of dozens.

Indonesia is the largest muslim nation in the world ( 200 million muslim ) and it is not the only example of how Islam spread peacefuly, you have Malaysia, you have western china, you have Spain, and southern Italy.

I would also raise the point that Buddhism and Hinduism did not spread by the sword either so it is not to say that the only way any non-Christian relgion can gain followers is by the sword.

I dont know about the history of Buddhism or Hinduism, so I cant comment on this.

I would also note that fact that Christian missionaries in some of the Islamic countries are not allowed to operate except under secrecy.

If christian missionaries are not allowd in some muslim countries, muslims themselves are not allowed to practice their faith freely in MANY western christian nations.

I understand that this is not a debate forum, so I will refrain from further comment until it enters the debate forum.

Check your private message for personal suggestion.

[anders]

It is fully established that Islam did not spread to Indonesia by the sword. So let's now look at the countries ranking 2-4 in number of Muslims.

Even if we admit that the political sword made way for Islam into present Pakistan and India, there remains to be explained how it stayed there after the fall of the Mughal empire.

Islam came entirely peacefully to Bangla Desh, number 3 on the list, with more than 100 million Muslims.

I am not very surprised by the fact that some missionaries in some countries have to operate secretly. In Sweden, it was only in 1860 that it became possible to leave the church of Sweden, BUT then only if you entered another state recognised religious community. Finally, in 1951! full religious freedom including freedom from religion was allowed.