Are religions that use military power instead of moral authority and persuasion

[Zioneer]

Are religions that use military power instead of moral authority and persuasion to convert us, worthy of us?

I was reading of my Gnostic Christian history, --- which grew itself without violence and with moral authority, --- and noted that both Christianity and Islam have both grown themselves through military conquest as compared to moral authority gained by persuasion.

We have had to suffer many Holy Wars, Inquisitions and jihads instead of those religions winning us over by good deeds and a better moral code.

Both Islam and Christianity say they respect Jesus and he said that we would recognize his people by their good deed, not war, so I think that Jesus would condemn both Christianity and especially Islam, given that they are both homophobic and misogynous religions who refuse to grant gays and women full equality. Christianity is slowly moving to equality while Islam is not.

Further, most religious laws have been bested by secular humanist laws, thanks to equality provisions and have already rejected the laws of those immoral Gods and their religions.

Given that violence instead of a better moral code has been used to grow Christianity and Islam, should moral people reject both Islam and Christianity as unfit to convert us to their religions?

Regards
DL

http://bigthink.com/videos/jelani-cobb-on-military-vs-moral-power-2

Let's be honest, if the various strands of Gnostic Christianity had gotten popular enough to be associated with imperial or monarchical power, they would have been enamored of military force just as any other faith.

[Zioneer]

Also, if I recall correctly, Gnostic groups like the Paulicans did conquer territory outside of their "homelands". I don't know if they force-converted anyone, but some Gnostics were not adverse to military force.

[Zioneer]

Are religions that use military power instead of moral authority and persuasion to convert us, worthy of us?

I was reading of my Gnostic Christian history, --- which grew itself without violence and with moral authority, --- and noted that both Christianity and Islam have both grown themselves through military conquest as compared to moral authority gained by persuasion.

We have had to suffer many Holy Wars, Inquisitions and jihads instead of those religions winning us over by good deeds and a better moral code.

Both Islam and Christianity say they respect Jesus and he said that we would recognize his people by their good deed, not war, so I think that Jesus would condemn both Christianity and especially Islam, given that they are both homophobic and misogynous religions who refuse to grant gays and women full equality. Christianity is slowly moving to equality while Islam is not.

Further, most religious laws have been bested by secular humanist laws, thanks to equality provisions and have already rejected the laws of those immoral Gods and their religions.

Given that violence instead of a better moral code has been used to grow Christianity and Islam, should moral people reject both Islam and Christianity as unfit to convert us to their religions?

Regards
DL

http://bigthink.com/videos/jelani-cobb-on-military-vs-moral-power-2

Let's be honest, if the various strands of Gnostic Christianity had gotten popular enough to be associated with imperial or monarchical power, they would have been enamored of military force just as any other faith.

So that excuses all the murders that Christianity and Islam are responsible for and makes them good religions. Ok.

BTW, Gnostic mystery schools where quite popular and widespread. That is why it took centuries for Christianity to reduce us to what we are today.

We are presently growing while Christianity is shrinking.

Regards
DL

It doesn't excuse the murders, no, but it does mean that your Gnosticism isn't pure and innocent like you claim.

[Zioneer]

Also, if I recall correctly, Gnostic groups like the Paulicans did conquer territory outside of their "homelands". I don't know if they force-converted anyone, but some Gnostics were not adverse to military force.

We certainly did take over territory but I have yet to read an account of our using force to do so.

Please show where and when we were adverse to using military force other than when defending ourselves against Christians.

Regards
DL

Gladly! I hate to use the Wikipedia article, but...

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"devastated many cities" sounds like using force to take over, doesn't it?