Forcing Religion By the Sword

by Robert Rosskopf

The Catholic church gained political power in 570 AD, and started using force to discourage those that would spread any other religion. Many people would end up being put to death under the charge of heresy, their property confiscated and divided up between church and state. This year is special for another reason; the prophet Mohammed was born in 570 AD. As the founder of Islam, he was also responsible for the use of force to spread Islam. This, of course, led to the so called Holy Wars.

As a Mormon, I wonder at the rationale behind such behavior. There is an urban legend that has been promulgated through the internet, that religion is responsible for the deaths of more people than everything else put together. This hardly seems likely with the many millions of people who have been put to death in China and in Russia as a result of the spread of Communism. Never the less, as a Christian I feel somewhat offended at the accusation. I have found comfort in a revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith:

" 34 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?
35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—
36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.
38 Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God.
39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.
40 Hence many are called, but few are chosen.
41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—
43 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;"
(Doctrine and Covenants 121)

Many reformationists pointed to the year 570 AD as the year the apostasy started. Based on the preceding revelation, they may well be right. Any vestige of priesthood authority would have vanished at the use of force. In contrast, Jesus stopped Peter as he cut off a soldier's ear with his sword, and subsequently healed the soldier.

Jesus taught the Jews against seeking special privilege among men.

" 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted."
(Matthew 23)

" 7 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,
8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;
9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.
10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.
11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."
(Luke 14)

Jesus commanded his apostles to not exercise authority like the kings of the gentiles, but to
minister to the people, and serve them.

" 42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
(Mark 10)

As an American, and citizen of the United States of America, I take pride in our nation's stance to protect freedom of religion. Like the murderer who is justly sent to the gallows, I believe that anyone or any nation which spreads religion by force deserves to be judged by the same standard, and stopped from their pursuit - by force if necessary. They unwittingly do the work of the Devil, who constantly seeks to subjugate men.

"For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another."
3 Nephi 15:29