Giving reasons for conversions - Essay Example

Reasons for Conversions Those who were not Muslim agreed to give up a lot of their freedoms in return for protection and exemption from the militaryservice. Christians and Jews paid a high price to guarantee their protection amongst those who were Muslim, as well as protection from others. Some of the possible reasons for some of the conversions can be found in the pacts themselves. The loss of rights and freedoms, as well as the lack of being able to show others their religion, or convert others, can be seen as an insult to Christians and Jews.

They were not allowed to flaunt their pride and their love for their specific religions, but instead had to do everything behind closed doors and away from the eyes of the Muslims. If Christians and Jews converted to the religion of Islam, they would be able to be more open and obvious about their devotion to that religion. Those that are not Muslim must abide to the rules, or the pact, that was set down. If they were to violate the conditions that were agreed upon, their protection would be forfeited and they would receive the same treatments as enemies.

Some of the rules, agreements, and conditions that were met involve what Muslims can do, but what Christians and Jews are not allowed to do. Christians and Jews are not allowed to have their crosses and books visible while walking on the roads or in the markets of the Muslim people. They are not allowed to publicly perform any act of their religion, such as the ceremony raising of their voices when following their dead or ring the rattles or bells that summons people to their religious services and ceremonies.

It is against the pact for them to convert anybody to their religion, but if one of their own wishes to convert to the Muslim religion, they are not allowed to go against it. Non-Muslims are unable to build churches, convents, and monasteries in the areas of the Muslims, not are they allowed to repair any ruins that are in the areas of the Muslims. They must not bury their dead near the sites of Muslims. It also goes against the pact that Christians and Jews wear clothes similar to the Muslims, or speak in the same way that they do.

Those of the Christian or Jewish religion may convert to the Muslim religion because it makes life a little bit easier, with less rules and laws to follow, and a lesser chance of going against the pact. The people in the opposing religions are given “privileges,” or the chance of safety if they give up their freedoms to an open religion. The Muslim religion offers more freedom in their own religion, but at the cost of less freedom in other religions. Most Christians and Jews comply to these rules to be guaranteed their safety, but others convert themselves for a simpler life.

The pact, the agreements and laws that were decided on, are extensive and intense. They allow very little room for Christians and Jews to express themselves religiously, which partially ruins the purpose of practicing a religion: the chance to give others the same chance at faith and a new life. However, converting to the Muslim religion can indeed be a good thing. It gives the other religions a chance to explore this new religion. This also decreases the number of people who have to heed the laws and rules of the pact.

With so many rules, the chance increases of one of them being broken, which can forfeit the protection of those under the pact.