(January 9, 2013 at 6:18 am)pocaracas Wrote:(January 8, 2013 at 7:36 pm)Minimalist Wrote: However, a mere 38 years later the region was "liberated" when Gnaeus Pompey overran the Hasmonean kingdom. One does wonder how deeply a forced religious conversion could have taken root in a such a short period of time, huh?With an average life expectancy of under 50 years and new generation with every ~18 years, it shouldn't be that difficult to do such conversions in short periods.
Keep in mind Judaism is a ritual/taboo religion not a creedal religion. It makes no difference what you believe. It matters only what one does and does not do. Thus "conversion" for men was circumcision only. Member in good standing was following the rituals and taboos. (Note: the circumcised paid the temple tax on pain of death. Thus there was a rational reason for circumcision, taxation.)
So circumcise or die was all that was needed for conversion. Mohamed did not invent convert or die.
