Religious imperialism

Religious imperialism is a policy intended to spread religious beliefs to people, territories or nations through the use of warfare, oppression, and other means. Historically, religious imperialism has been very closely linked with imperialism, nationalism and colonialism. It is often difficult to distinguish religious imperialism from these broader movements.

Alleged instances of religious imperialism include:

* The spread of Hinduism in the Vedic period.
* The spread of Buddhism under Emperor Ashoka.
* The spread of Islam during the era of Arab expansion.
* The use of variable taxation to encourage religious conversion.
* The European Crusades during the Middle Ages.
* The use of the Spanish Inquisition to consolidate control over the Iberian Peninsula after the Reconquista.
* The suppression of Christianity in Japan during the 17th century.
* Japanese Shinto imperialism in the Meiji, , and eras
* Wahhabi-influenced terrorist groups like al-Qaeda in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Religious imperialism can be contrasted with separation of church and state and religious freedom.

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