Imagine a politician going around town with a bunch of henchmen cornering people and forcing them to vote for him or her. While such politicians might at first believe they have a large following, they’d soon find that their efforts have only falsely inflated their influence. Such methods would neither help a politician’s cause, nor would it help the people. Rather, it would only stain the cause with fear and deterrence.

ISIS is currently trying this method, as it has been going around Iraq raising hell. Recently, ISIS forces captured 1,500 Iraqi soldiers, and forced them to convert to Islam at gunpoint.

As a practicing Muslim, I have yet to come across an example in history where the Prophet Muhammad used force to preach Islam. His examples show that he fought only to win the hearts of people.

Until ISIS changes its methodologies, its forces will continue to slander against Islam with their actions.

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