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That was forced (guns to their heads) and while I hope I would not do that, I cannot say what I would do with a gun to my head. Having said that, once I was freed I don't think I would find that sort of people to be hospitable or in any way admirable...

I understand and agree, none of us can be sure how we will react at any given moment and under the stress that Centani and Wiig were experiencing.

Having said that, I would very much LIKE to think that if I were told to read a statement announcing my conversion to Islam, that I would first demand that a LIVE audience of media be provided, with lots of witnesses, and if I could convince them that I was about to utter a scathing denunciation of all things Western and infidel (and get that live audience), I would wait until the cameras were rolling, and then say in a clear loud voice:

"I do not know what everyone believes, nor do I know what god everyone chooses to place their faith in. I DO know that Jesus Christ is the King of kings, and Lord of lords, He IS Almighty God manifested in human form, He sits at the right hand side of God the Father, and He will soon return to judge the quick and the dead, and I will not renounce or deny His Name."

Of course I might fail in summoning up the courage to do that (and they might start sawing my head off before I could finish), even the disciple Peter denied Christ three times and I doubt that I have a fraction of his faith, and He knew Jesus personally.

I am certain I would not have the strength to do all that, nor do I believe that my God demands that of me. That's just me.
Under those circumstances, I would say whatever I am ordered to say. In my universe, there is no disgrace in that; it was quite common, in a slightly different context, with captured pilots in Korea and Viet Nam.

The mindless commitment you describe is more befitting the world's current serious affliction, the Religion of Death...