The other day the originator of the neutral-inclusive Norm was talking to someone about the different religions that were found and can still be found on this planet. In the course of this discussion the originator spoke to 'im about the worldview centering on the TRINP values and implicitly invited the other person to tell 'im something about 'er worldview too. While 'e did, 'e began to look more and more depressed and then told the originator that 'e had been forcibly converted. Rather concerned the originator asked 'im: "How have you been forcibly converted?"

'E answered: "I've been circumcised as a little boy". And the originator said: "That will convert any male, but it did not convert you".

'E continued: "But i have also been forced on every special occasion to utter the name of a god, who was like a demon as well, and to honor him and his guru, who was called a prophet". And the originator said: "That will convert anybody with a mouth, but it did not convert you".

And 'e continued: "But i've been made to pay taxes for their priests and temples". And the originator said: "That will convert anybody that can be locked up in prison for not paying, but it did not convert you".

And then 'e got irritated, almost angry, and asked the originator: "But if this isn't proof enough that they've forcibly converted me, what is?" And the originator replied: "It's proof enough of how they've tried and kept on trying to convert you by force".

The originator saw the confusion in 'er eyes and said these words: "They may cut off your foreskin, if you're a male, or slit the skin that covers your clitoris, if you're a female; they may steal the symbols and instruments of the state; they may threaten to imprison and imprison you. But after all these attempts they've only managed and in spite of all such trials they can only manage to get a piece of your body or, if worse comes to worse, your whole body. It was never you, you as a person, who chose to do any of these odious things, who put your mind to serving their religion. Neither physical or social pressure nor outward appearance convinced you of the truth and relevance of their beliefs, of the rightness and goodness of their practices".

And this the originator of the Norm added: "A convert, my sibling, would never have complained about his or her conversion".

56.NLY-60.NEY