Changes

==Rules of dhimmitude==

==Rules of dhimmitude==

Historically, dhimmitude has involved a long list of restrictions, with some variance from place to place, in addition to the crippling Jizya tax.  These restrictions typically include being forbidden to erect a church or monastery or to repair any such existing structure, to put a cross on the outside of the building or to ring a bell in it, to display crosses or religious books in markets, to raise their voices in prayer,  being forbidden to testify in legal matters, to ride on saddles, to hang swords on their shoulders, to collect or carry any weapon, to encrypt stamps in Arabic, to sell liquor, to incite anyone against a Muslim, to strike a Muslim, to speak about Islam in a manner Muslims consider offensive, and being forced to board any Muslim who comes one’s way for three days.

Historically, dhimmitude has involved a long list of restrictions, with some variance from place to place, in addition to the crippling Jizya tax.  These restrictions typically include being forbidden to erect a church or monastery or to repair any such existing structure, to put a cross on the outside of the building or to ring a bell in it, to display crosses or religious books in markets, to raise their voices in prayer,  being forbidden to testify in legal matters, to ride on saddles, to hang swords on their shoulders, to collect or carry any weapon, to encrypt stamps in Arabic, to sell liquor, to incite anyone against a Muslim, to strike a Muslim, to speak about Islam in a manner Muslims consider offensive, and being forced to board any Muslim who comes one's way for three days.

Dhimmitude also meant agreeing to “respect” Muslims by giving up one’s seat to them and avoiding imitation of their clothing, sandals, hairstyles, speech, nicknames or title, and bearing insults in silence, thus making opposition to the rules unthinkable.  Dhimmis must also have the front of the hair shaved and wear belts around the waist to make them easily identifiable .  In effect, in many places dhimmitude meant there was no work and no income for dhimmis, at the same time they were being required to pay a tax for their Muslim rulers to “protect” them, that is, to refrain from executing them.

Dhimmitude also meant agreeing to “respect” Muslims by giving up one's seat to them and avoiding imitation of their clothing, sandals, hairstyles, speech, nicknames or title, and bearing insults in silence, thus making opposition to the rules unthinkable.  Dhimmis must also have the front of the hair shaved and wear belts around the waist to make them easily identifiable .  In effect, in many places dhimmitude meant there was no work and no income for dhimmis, at the same time they were being required to pay a tax for their Muslim rulers to “protect” them, that is, to refrain from executing them.

This is the context in which Islamists can say there is freedom of religion or no coercion in Islam.  One is not forced to convert to Islam.  One can choose execution or try to live as a dhimmi.<ref>Onward Christian Soldiers by Robert Spencer, p. 140-144, 196, and Stealth Jihad by Robert Spencer, Regnery Publishing, 2008, p. 70-71.</ref>   

This is the context in which Islamists can say there is freedom of religion or no coercion in Islam.  One is not forced to convert to Islam.  One can choose execution or try to live as a dhimmi.<ref>Onward Christian Soldiers by Robert Spencer, p. 140-144, 196, and Stealth Jihad by Robert Spencer, Regnery Publishing, 2008, p. 70-71.</ref>