Re: There is no compulsion in religion
I think I am in agreement, but I would like to point out that in your example, Aoolyaa is translated incorrectly (based on some wierd context fom similar stories). Linguistically, aooliya means protectors and it has been used even in another verse where it is said, do not take for aoolyaa your fathers if their do not follow the right path. Now obviously it may not be talking about physical protection, but rather that of your way of life. It is you who has to guard it. If provided with proper linguistic meaning, I really should not need any storical context to figure out what this verse is saying.
Actually you do need the historical context about it and then you can derive the proper principles from it. The verse (I don't remember the exact Surah and number) was revealed about Abdullah ibn Ubai ibn Salool (popularly known in our history is the Chief of the hypocrites) who did not want to fight against the Jews because he was not sure whether the muslims would come out victorious, if they did not, then he would be blacklisted with the jews. This is when this verse was revealed telling not to take them as protectors or friends against your own muslim people. I can post more detail later on as I am recalling from memory right now. It had to with another statement of a companion as well who was also allied with jews and distinctly choose to go along with the muslims instead of showing diplomacy and duplicity waiting for the outcome (you know thaali ke baigan).