Your Three Choices:

Consider the following:

No less a figure than the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdel Aziz al-Sheikh, issued a statement on the official Saudi news service, defending Muslims' divine right to resort to violence: "The spread of Islam has gone through several phases, secret and then public, in Mecca and Medina. God then authorised the faithful to defend themselves and to fight against those fighting them, which amounts to a right legitimised by God. This ... is quite reasonable, and God will not hate it."

Saudi Arabia's most senior cleric also explained that war was never Islam's ancient founder, the prophet Mohammed's, first choice: "He gave three options: either accept Islam, or surrender and pay tax, and they will be allowed to remain in their land, observing their religion under the protection of Muslims." Thus, according to the Grand Mufti, the third option of violence against non-Muslims was only a last resort, if they refused to convert or surrender peacefully to the armies of Islam. (source)

And these three choices are only offered if you are a Christian or a Jew. Polytheists and others not of the Book have two choices: Convert or die.

If the time comes, which choice would be yours?

Modern examples should make you think: In Saudi, if you choose to be a Christian, you are not allowed any public worship, and getting Bibles in, is as hard as finding hen's teeth. In Pakistan, you are constantly at threat of being accused of doing things like desecrating a Koran which can be used (and often is) for dragging you into court, causing a riot, or having your church firebombed. The Copts in Egypt are often victims of riot caused because of some perceived wrong done to Islam. Being under Islamic protection, even if they don't make you pay the tax any more, is a hard path.

There is not a lot of tolerance for toleration in a lot of these places.

HT to Jihad Watch