Are people born in Muslim countries automatically Muslim by birth?

Answer 1

In most religions in the world, a child is considered a member of the religion of his/her father. When the child reaches Puberty and feels mindful enough, he/she can read on religions and choose either to continue on his/her religion or convert to another religion. THis is only the current belief of the society in which we are living now. Certain groups such as the Amish only allow children to decide to join the group once they become an adult even if they have been born into the group. He/she should be responsible of the consequence of his/her choice in his/her present life and after life when judged in front of God, the Creator, on the day of Judgment. However, in Islam, someone who converts to another religion is subject to the death penalty, no matter when that decision is made.

In Judaism, on the other hand, a child is defined according to the religion of the mother. Thus a child born to a Jewish father and a nonJewish mother is not Jewish (by birth). Judaism is the first example of a recursive algorithm.

That is

A person is Jewish if and only if:

1. His/Her mother is Jewish according to this definition

or

2. He/She has converted to Judaism according to Jewish law.

The original members of the "Jewish Religion" are the exslaves from Egypt who are regarded as having converted en masse at Mount Sinai during the revelation. Ever since then, the above definition has applied.

Judaism also does not recognize conversion to another religion. It is regarded as attempting to violate a solemn oath to G0d and, since G0d would not accept such a violation of an oath, the attempt is invalid.