Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

The White Hindu

Home
Hindu
Renouncing One’s Faith

Renouncing One’s Faith

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 10:32 pm by Ambaa Choate

Renouncing One’s Faith 2015-03-13T22:32:20-04:00 Ambaa Choate

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

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?

Previous Post

March 26, 2014

Hindu Stories You Should Know

Next Post

March 28, 2014 Coloring Book Reccomendation

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Book Club Hindu Holiday How Am I Being a Hindu This Week? Inside the Life Meet a God Meet a Guru Movie Club Philosophy Corner Resources Scripture Uncategorized Wild Card

Select a Month February 2020 September 2019 May 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

"A cheerful heart is good medicine" is found in what book?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Matthew Proverbs Genesis Psalms