A couple questions:
1) Was it then wrong to force the polytheistic Arabs to stop worshiping multiple Gods in Mecca? If not then why?
The word FORCE. All I know Muhammad preached, .... long story then... culminated in war, and it happened that time with it's contextual war situation. Maybe it was some kind of 'one of defence is offensive' tactics.
Had it happened today, I mean forcing to diminishing all the statues, I would say it would be wrong (in the way purely Islamic way, but below, let's see when it is ruled under such government who are to regulate a 'social system'). Maybe today, it is better to just relocate them.
2) Do you think it is moral behavior to force non-Muslims to pay a tax for not being Muslim?
This is contextual to land, government regulation.
Muslim Gov't A would not draw tax to Mr. non-muslim B at Mr. B's country land.
See, tax has nothing to do with Islam, but in practice where the social members was dominantly muslim, they have to regulate. Unfortunately, there is discrimination as the product of social system regulation.
3) Is it OK for a Muslim to make the moral choice (for themselves) to stop being Muslim and convert to Hinduism or convert to Atheism?
It is called murtad (apostate). Once he is determined, though many would try to stop, neverthelee, no body can.
4) Do you think that Jews should be able to build Synagogues and Hindus be able to build Polytheistic Temple in Saudi Arabia (for their personal beleif obviously) Lets suppose a Muslim owned some land in Mecca or Medina and they converted to another religious beleif and wanted to build a Temple to their personal new God.
Had I the law maker there: Government would set rules where to build them (allowed under some regulations). This should be considering everyone's interest. You should surely know , nothing can satisfy everybody, always there be pros and cons. The planolog should consider the social system.
5) Should Christians be able to preach their Religious and seek converts in Muslim coutnries? (again this is a personal choice).
Same above. If you talk about "country", hence government, my personal opinion, be me a law maker, there should be a regulation - time, place, how, etc - on applying that wish. You know, law is supposed to prevent uncontrolled conflicts.
Just a point of matter, most Japanese are not very religous. But this shouldn't be mistaken that the Shinto Religion is a minority of Japanese. Shinto perform many traditional ceremonies like Marriage and Buddhist perform traditional ceremonies like funeral. There are many many many Shinto Shrines in Japan that are patroned by many Japanese. They are every where in Japan. That aside I didn't understand your answer. While you said each to their own, and I understand this, do you personally consider Japanese culture (based on Shintoism and Buddhism) equal to Islamic culture?
Just trying to clear up a few things,
Michael
I don't know. I 'm not acknowledged by that. But I guess I can say yes, in approximation, should be more or less. As long as some "religion" has their complete set of way of life (as I think Shinto does), they should be equal more or less. I would be saying that would also came from the same source (the Creator), in different time, different place.
PS: What did you think of Adstar's response?
He can live his self-righteousness.
I am taught not to be a hater or accuser.
Maybe he never been taught that God / Creator sent messengers to all human kind, all time, all places.
I was taught that, that's why I believe Gautama, Confusius, Zarathustra, whoever spread the message of Shinto, not excluding Jesus of course, brought messages of how to live the life in regard to creator, were messengers of God.
