“Religious discrimination and persecution were the main cause of religious change.” Discuss.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that religious discrimination and persecution were the main cause of religious change. The examples chosen may or may not be from a different region and the causes outlined may predate or extend beyond the timeframe but must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. Candidates may discuss discrimination against and persecution of Jews during the Reconquista period in Spain. Although, initially, this led to the conversion of many to Christianity, persecution continued limiting change. Similarly, the persecution of native populations in the Spanish Empire may be argued to have led to religious change. Other appropriate examples may include the spread of Islam in India during the Mughal Empire and the conversion, as well as persecution, of Christians in Shogunate Japan. Other relevant factors may be addressed, such as the spread of literacy and the availability of printed texts as well as wars, which may have brought religious change in their wake. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that religious discrimination and persecution were the main cause of religious change. Few responses were seen with most consisting of general comments on modern-day religious practices.