Their parents voluntarily gave up those children (they were called the Janissaries). The Ottomans guaranteed them a better life then the squalor of Eastern Europe. The parents were compensated for giving up their child. The parents gave them up so their children would get a better life. Those children were well educated, well fed and taken care of. Many of them became high-level government officials or generals. The Ottoman Empire treated the Janissaries better then the children native to their empire.
To the people of today this seems like slavery and forced conversion to another religion, but you must remember, all actions must be taken in the context of the time they took place. To the children living in the squalor of Eastern Europe this was heaven.
Religious minorities living in Islamic countries are required to pay a small tax. The tax allows members of religious minorities not to serve in the army. All Muslim males are required to serve if called up in wartime. If a non-Muslim male did not want to pay the tax they were required to serve. Muslim males can't opt out.
Slashdot Mirror
Their parents voluntarily gave up those children (they were called the Janissaries). The Ottomans guaranteed them a better life then the squalor of Eastern Europe. The parents were compensated for giving up their child. The parents gave them up so their children would get a better life. Those children were well educated, well fed and taken care of. Many of them became high-level government officials or generals. The Ottoman Empire treated the Janissaries better then the children native to their empire. To the people of today this seems like slavery and forced conversion to another religion, but you must remember, all actions must be taken in the context of the time they took place. To the children living in the squalor of Eastern Europe this was heaven. Religious minorities living in Islamic countries are required to pay a small tax. The tax allows members of religious minorities not to serve in the army. All Muslim males are required to serve if called up in wartime. If a non-Muslim male did not want to pay the tax they were required to serve. Muslim males can't opt out.