Abrahamic religion

Abrahamic religions is a term used in the study of comparative religion to describe those religions deriving from a common ancient Semitic tradition and traced by their adherents to Abraham, a patriarch whose life is narrated in the Hebrew Bible, and who is also important in the New Testament, and the Qur'an. This forms a large group of related, largely monotheistic religions, generally held to include Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and comprises about half of the world's religious adherents.

Evangelism

Christianity encourages proselytism — convincing others to convert to the religion; many Christian organizations send missionaries to non-Christian communities throughout the world. Forced conversions to Catholicism have been documented at various points throughout history. The most prominently cited allegations are the conversions of the pagans under Constantine; of Muslims, Jews and Eastern Orthodox during the Crusades; of Jews and Muslims during the Spanish Inquisition; and of the Aztecs by Hernando Cortes. Forced conversions are condemned as sinful by Christian churches; major denominations such as the Roman Catholic Church officially state that forced conversions pollute the Christian religion and offend human dignity, so that past or present offenses are regarded as a scandal.

Related Topics:
Proselytism - Missionaries - Hernando Cortes - Roman Catholic Church

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http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651207_dignitatis-humanae_en.html

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Despite accusations and some documented incidents of forced conversions, Islam does not permit forcing someone or repeatedly trying to convince them to convert. Islam does not have missionaries comparable to Christianity, though it does encourage its followers to learn about other religions and to teach others about Islam; one converts to Islam on their own free will. Certain Muslim countries outlaw religious conversions away from Islam. The Qur'an has a chapter (Sura) dealing with non believers (called "Al-Kafiroon")(Q 109). In the chapter there is also an often quoted verse (ayat) which reads, "There is no compulsion in religion, the path of guidance stands out clear from error" and . This means that no one is to be compelled into Islam and that the righteous path is distinct from the rest. According to this verse, converts to Islam are ones that see this path.

Related Topics:
Islam - Missionaries

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While Judaism accepts converts, it does not encourage them, and has no missionaries as such.

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