Cults and Sects: March 2006 Archives

In a case I brought up this weekend, Abdul Rahman was arrested in Afghanistan for converting from Islam to Christianity. However, it was announced yesterday that Mr. Rahman will be released from prison, probably today. I haven't seen a full explanation of why he was released, but I did read earlier that Afghani authorities were suggesting he was "mentally ill" and not fit to stand trial. Perhaps this was the reason. In that same article is a powerful quote:

I am serene. I have full awareness of what I have chosen. If I must die, I will die. Somebody, a long time ago, did it for all of us. - - Abdul Rahman

Now the problem is with Muslim clerics who have called for his murder even if he is released (and probably will so in stronger terms now). What astonishes me is the lack of Muslim clerics calling for moderate Muslims to leave him alone and/or help him escape. If a crazy Christian sect called for a man's murder, we would see dozens of Christian leaders on television explaining why that person was wrong. Where are these moderate leaders?

Let's continue praying for Mr. Rahman's safety as he leaves the country. This publicity could give him a special place to speak directly to Muslims about Christianity and provide a door that most Christians don't have.

God bless,
Jay

Sorry for the sarcasm, but when I read stories like Abdul Rahman it makes me wonder how blind you have to be to miss the incompatibility between the Muslim faith and any other religious belief.

In short, Mr. Rahman, a citizen of Afghanistan, converted from Islam to Christianity, so he was arrested. The courts are deciding whether he should receive the death penalty for leaving Islam. However at least four clerics have publicly stated that Rahman should die even if the courts let him go. Mr. Rahman has rejected any conversion back to Islam in exchange for his life.

This is a clear picture of the state of Christianity and Islam today. If a Christian converts to Islam in a Christian country, he is free to do so. However, Muslims converting to Christianity in Muslim countries are given the death penalty almost immediately. At this point the historical Crusades start making more sense - remember they were a defensive action against Muslim agression no matter what you may have been told.

Much prayer is needed - both for Mr. Rahman and for our world.

One interesting note: Can you imagine the witness of this man who has chosen death over conversion back to Islam? Martyr's blood is the seed of conversion and provides a powerful example for non-believers. He has already said he received numerous requests for Christian Bibles from other Muslims. The publicity of his action underlines the strength of his belief.

God bless,
Jay