Peter F. Hamilton Quotes
You cannot impose ideologies on people who do not embrace it wholeheartedly.
Peter F. Hamilton, English Science Fiction Writer, The Neutronium Alchemist
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
This quotation is important because it emphasizes an aspect of freedom of religion that is not usually discussed—the freedom to LEAVE a religion. As an Islamic reformer born in Iran, this notion is extremely important. Under Sharia—Islamic Law—capital punishment is required for anyone who converts from Islam to any other religion. This has been made a part of the civil law of many Islamic nations from Afghanistan to Saudi Arabia as well as Iran where Sharia IS the civil law. There is no other religion in the world which makes conversion away from the religion a capital crime requiring execution. Executing people who leave a religion is a major violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus
Jews were forced to convert to Catholicism under penalty of death. While the archbishop did not approve, he did not describe the murders in moral terms or used his great religious power to stop the practice.
Despite his recognition of this point, he too became an advocate of murdering religious opponents.
This Sura of the Koran warns the faithful that the non-Muslims of the world have as a major objective the Conversion of Muslims. While this was and has been the case in times past starting even before the Crusades, many Christians felt it as an obligation to either convert the Muslims or to kill them. In modern times there have been Christian missionaries who have had an objective of converting Muslims, but no Christian government has had that as a policy for a long time now. But most Muslims are told this is so today and the Koran warned of this. The result is that many Muslims—particularly those who have not had much contact with other religions—believe that because of this, they will be forever fighting heretics like Christians. For this reason, Islam’s future is under attack.
Spinoza’s ideas were considered so radical and dangerous that he was the only man in history who was excommunicated by the Catholics, the Jews and the Muslims.
Peter F. Hamilton is a British author. He is best known for writing space opera. As of the publication of his 10th novel in 2004, his works had sold over 2 million copies worldwide.
