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Mar. 23, 2006 Abdul Rahman, an Afghan who converted to Christianity 16 years ago, is possibly facing execution for the crime of apostasy. An outdated concept in most places of the world, apostasy carries a punishment in most muslim countries. Some people are absolutely shocked that this would happen in the post Taliban afghanistan. Why? We didn't go to war for the small groups of non muslims in Afghanistan. (the country is 99% muslim) We went to war to remove a terrorist sponsoring regime and remove the bloodthirsty terrorists that were using the country as a base of operations. We accomplished that mission. Afghanistan is free of the Taliban, and Al-Qaida no longer has run of the place. But it would have been very naive of us to think that one of the most conservative muslim countries in the world would become a Jeffersonian democracy with all the attitudes about religious freedom that come with it. In the muslim world religious freedom(or more aptly said, tolerance) is a gift from the Muslim majority. A gift that can be taken away. Non muslims may worship insofar as they don't try to become equals with muslims. For example christians can worship, but they can't try to convert muslims. Other restrictions are usually in place,such as muslims having more legal rights, and depending on the country vary in severity. Western religious freedom grew out of exhaustion from the religious wars. The state threw up its hands and said "we give up, worship how you want." Mr. Rahman commited no crime. He should be free to choose any religion that he wants. Sadly, because of the totalitarian nature of Islam it doesn't work that way in their countries. It's like a religious Breznhev doctrine. "once a muslim, always a musliim" Communism had to force countries to remain communist, because otherwise they would leave in a hurry. Islam must force a person to remain a muslim, because when you inspect the religion you see that it's nonsense. When muslims are in a free country many of them convert, and many muslim countries have secret Christian congregations. They are secret because of the penalties of being a christian. As democracy matures in Afghanistan perhaps more religious freedom will be granted as the power of the muslim religious leaders wane, at least that is what the optimist in me says. No, the Rahman case shouldn't surprise us, and it shouldn't deter us from overthrowing muslim tyrannies. That doesn't mean that it shouldn't sadden us. ------------ About the author: Craig Chamberlain has written more than 100 articles for Useless-Knowledge.com. Email: craig_chamberlain@hotmail.com Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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