Seljuk Converts to Judaism

Keenir

Banned
I actually agree with you. In OTL the reason for the Seljuks to conquer the Ghaznavids, Buyids, and whatever other dynasties that I have forgotten was that the Abbasid caliph in Baghdad felt threatened by the rival Fatimids, and sought protection from a stronger Muslim group than the fractious Buyids. The Caliph invited Toghrul-Beg and the Seljuks to conquer Persia and provide aid against the Fatimids. So if Seljuk converts to Judaism, it follows that his family would eventually be converted as well. There is no chance that the Caliph of Baghdad would seek protection from Turkish Jews (if he wanted that he could just call the Khazars down from the Caucasus). So there would be no Seljuk Empire. Another interesting idea is if Seljuk becomes a black sheep in his (Muslim or shamanistic) family, exiled at the Khazar court while his sons and grandsons forge their own empire, perhaps known as the Mikailids or the Toghrulids ITTL.

Why not? If the Caliph calls upon the Jewish Seljuks (with an army likely still largely Muslim), then he doesn't have to worry about being deposed by the Seljuks.

(the Khazars' base of power was farther north; and when they moved out of that area....well, we all know how their conquest of Jerusalem went)

I think everyone's lost sight of the real reason why this won't happen. While converting to Judaism might help you rise in the Khazar ranks, it does nothing for you if you intend to conquer the muslim states. I'm not here to offend the religious when I say this, so bear with me:

six words: People Of The Book. (that and the Abode Of The Covenant)


How are they all in the same boat? What does Judaism offer to gentiles exactly?

the same thing Christianity offers to non-Christians.
(or Atenism offers to non-Atenists)
 

Nikephoros

Banned
six words: People Of The Book. (that and the Abode Of The Covenant)

I fail to see your point. Non-Muslims were still, in theory, required to pay a tax that Muslims didn't. That's a pretty good incentive in those times to convert.
 

Hashasheen

Banned
I fail to see your point. Non-Muslims were still, in theory, required to pay a tax that Muslims didn't. That's a pretty good incentive in those times to convert.
They also didn't have to serve in a military that often conscripted. That's pretty good incentive not to convert.
 

Nikephoros

Banned
They also didn't have to serve in a military that often conscripted. That's pretty good incentive not to convert.

Meh, I still say the positive incentives outweigh the negative ones. Conscription in those days would only snag a minority of Muslims. But the other benefits make more sense. Of course, it isn't necessarily in the governments interests to have everyone convert. Because then you are forced to do a head tax on Muslims, because your revenue dries up. Either that or, like the Umayyads, you face a revolution by your new converts.
 
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