Christianity And Judaism In The Ottoman Empire
Under the Ottoman Empire, Christians and Jews were, in principle, tolerated, but polytheists were not, in accordance with Sharia law. In practice, the degree of tolerance variety by time and place.
Orthodox Christians were the largest non-Muslim group. With the rise of Imperial Russia, they came to have an external advocate.
Roman Catholics benefited from the protection of the western Great Powers.
Forced conversion of those raised by a non-Muslim father is counter to Sharia law, and was not a standard practice. However, anyone whose father was Muslim was usually legally required to be Muslim or face execution for apostasy. Until the empire began to crumble, Ottoman law required the execution of all former Muslims and non-Muslim children of a Muslim father in accordance with the Sharia law on apostasy.
Read more about Christianity And Judaism In The Ottoman Empire: Civil Status, Religion As An Ottoman Institution, Religion and The Legal System, Education, Devşirme, Taxation, Religious Architecture
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