Afghan Man Faces Execution After Converting to Christianity

[HokeyReligions]

I don't have a link - maybe someone else has one - but this was sent to me and I thought it interesting enough to share and maybe converse about - respectfully.....

 

This was part of a prayer request someone submitted to a board I belong to and another poster came in and suggested not to pray to save this man's life, but to pray that God give him the strength to withstand whatever punishment may be given to him here on earth and to keep him strong in his faith and pray for his eternal reward. It has caused some controversy in the religious board as Christians who share a common faith have such differing opinions about this case.

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Afghan Man Faces Execution After Converting to Christianity

By Benjamin Sand

Kabul

18 March 2006

 

 

 

An Afghan man who recently admitted he converted to Christianity faces the death penalty under the country's strict Islamic legal system. The trial is a critical test of Afghanistan's new constitution and democratic government.

 

The case is attracting widespread attention in Afghanistan, where local media are closely monitoring the landmark proceedings.

 

Abdul Rahman, 40, was arrested last month, accused of converting to Christianity.

 

Under Afghanistan's new constitution, minority religious rights are protected but Muslims are still subject to strict Islamic laws.

 

And so, officially, Muslim-born Rahman is charged with rejecting Islam and not for practicing Christianity.

 

Appearing in court earlier this week Rahman insisted he should not be considered an infidel, but admitted he is a Christian.

 

He says he still believes in the almighty Allah, but cannot say for sure who God really is. "I am," he says, "a Christian and I believe in Jesus Christ."

 

Rahman reportedly converted more than 16 years ago after spending time working in Germany.

 

Officials say his family, who remain observant Muslims, turned him over to the authorities.

 

On Thursday the prosecution told the court Rahman has rejected numerous offers to embrace Islam.

 

Prosecuting attorney Abdul Wasi told the judge that the punishment should fit the crime.

 

He says Rahman is a traitor to Islam and is like a cancer inside Afghanistan. Under Islamic law and under the Afghan constitution, he says, the defendant should be executed.

 

The court has ordered a delay in the proceedings to give Rahman time to hire an attorney.

 

Under Afghan law, once a verdict is given, the case can be appealed twice to higher courts.

 

This is the first case in which the defendant has admitted to converting and is refusing to back down, even while facing the death penalty.

[hooghie]

Wow- how disturbing, but it doesn't really surprise me. So long as religion is part of government, people will be persecuted based on their beliefs.

 

Although I was able to google the article and found several links to foreign news sites- I am surprised, however, that U.S. news agencies haven't picked it up. Maybe since we have placed a 'democratic' regime in Afghanistan- we don't want the embarressment of this type of stuff.

[suegail]

Thank you for posting that...I hadn't heard about it. I surely do pray for his release and that God will continue to keep him strong. I would love to think I could be as brave as this man if I were ever faced with something like that...we cant' really understand what other people do go through, can we?

 

I've recently heard that many Christians have been executed in North Korea. It upsets me to know that the people there are so closed off from the world, almost no help of any kind can come in, and I can't imagine what that must feel like. I wish that people like Kim Jong could know what it is to fear God for the terrible crimes against humanity these people have committed. Well, evil will flourish for a time, but not forever...the day will come.

[Admiral Thrawn]

People here have posted about other religions, but now we see the fruits of them first hand in these Muslim countries. What type of doctrine is going to encourage a death-penalty for rejecting a religion? That is in the Koran somewhere I suppose. On the other hand, nobody is forced to retain Christianity, because God works by love, not by death threats. The Prodigal Son parable is an example of God's love. The Father welcomed the son when he returned back to the Father, as part of his own family. If it were a different type of God, then he would have been killed when he asked for his inheretence when his father was alive before going on his wanton pleasure trip.

 

So, now they are relying on death penalties and torture to keep their own religion rather than other non-coersive means. At the end of the day, both mean nothing, because the soul of this person belongs to Christ, and without Christ, there is nothing of any value in this world. That is why he can keep his faith even in the face of death. Faith in Jesus Christ is much more important than death, because death has already been conquered.

 

I am glad this man is setting an example, and showing that he will maintain his faith even in the face of torture and death, because that is a faith that means something, and you dont have something to live for until you have something to die for.

[blind_otter]

I'm also not really surprised. It's sad and disturbing.

 

This is a consequence of mixing government with religion.

[Admiral Thrawn]

It is true, that when people receive Jesus Christ, in many cases, face immediate reprocussions for their decisions.

 

I have a ex-Hindu friend whose family was persecuted by their own village and ostrascised because they received Jesus Christ.

 

You already knows what happens in Muslim countries to people who choose to receive Jesus Christ.

 

Even Buddist, or people of other religions who receive Christ face persecution.

 

While the Western world may be tolerant of other religions, and have a Christian foundation when the nations were made, the fact is, in other countries or places, are quite intolerable when it comes to Christianity.

 

People take their liberties for granted in the Western world and think that Christian moral values and world-views may be backwards or oppressive when they fail to consider non-Christian countries that are Atheist, Muslim or some other religion, and how life is under their reguimes.

[blind_otter]

 

Even Buddist, or people of other religions who receive Christ face persecution.

 

 

I'd like to see some evidence of this, as I am Buddhist and according to my religious teachings, we accept everyone's individual path towards truth. As far as I know and among my studies I've never heard of one incident of relgious persecution from a Buddhist community.

 

Please provide evidence to the contrary if you statement is true, I am interested. (By evidence I mean, references that I can check independent on you)

[Admiral Thrawn]

I'd like to see some evidence of this, as I am Buddhist and according to my religious teachings, we accept everyone's individual path towards truth. As far as I know and among my studies I've never heard of one incident of relgious persecution from a Buddhist community.

 

Please provide evidence to the contrary if you statement is true, I am interested. (By evidence I mean, references that I can check independent on you)

 

The nature of my contention is rather focused on countries that officially or predominantly have non-Christian religions are either backwards, oppressive, impoverished, and where most of the citizens would love to live out in the West Christian founded countries.

 

Buddist countries, as far as I am aware, include Indonesia, which has sold its daughters on sex tourisms, Asian countries, which have had oppressive Marxist reguimes (althought the governments may be officially Atheist), and I would relay those as examples that people in those jurisidictions that receive Christ, and take a stand for social justice issues where people are being oppressed, are subject to government persecution.

[blind_otter]

Buddist countries, as far as I am aware, include Indonesia, which has sold its daughters on sex tourisms, Asian countries, which have had oppressive Marxist reguimes (althought the governments may be officially Atheist), and I would relay those as examples that people in those jurisidictions that receive Christ, and take a stand for social justice issues where people are being oppressed, are subject to government persecution.

 

Indonesia is predominantly muslim.

 

Communist regimes universally outlaw the practicing of any religion, as it is considered "the opiate of the masses" - there is no government sactioned religion.

 

Your "evidence" is not what I asked -- I wanted credible sources that I could check independently, you cannot provide them because your assertion is baseless and personal opinion.

[alphamale]

Indonesia is predominantly muslim.

and I believe it is the largest muslim nation, population-wise.

[alphamale]

I have a ex-Hindu friend whose family was persecuted by their own village and ostrascised because they received Jesus Christ.

 

You already knows what happens in Muslim countries to people who choose to receive Jesus Christ.

Yes, and Christians weren't too tolerant when Cat Stevens converted to Islam. He's still made fun of to this day.

 

No religion I know of is happy when one of their own leaves the fold

[hooghie]

On the other hand, nobody is forced to retain Christianity, because God works by love, not by death threats. The Prodigal Son parable is an example of God's love. The Father welcomed the son when he returned back to the Father, as part of his own family. If it were a different type of God, then he would have been killed when he asked for his inheretence when his father was alive before going on his wanton pleasure trip.

 

 

Can you clarify what the Spanish inquisition was about then?

[Admiral Thrawn]

Yes, and Christians weren't too tolerant when Cat Stevens converted to Islam. He's still made fun of to this day.

 

No religion I know of is happy when one of their own leaves the fold

 

Who is Cat Stevens?

[Admiral Thrawn]

Can you clarify what the Spanish inquisition was about then?

 

Certainly. The Roman Catholic church is not a true Christian church, and were burning Bible-believing born-again Christians to a stake, who really received Jesus Christ. So, that was one of the worst persecutions inflicted against people who have received Jesus Christ.

 

To receive Jesus Christ by faith and say you are saved goes against the whole teachings of the Roman Catholic church. You would deny the sacraments, purgatory, confessing to a priest, and virtually their whole system, because you have already made it by faith.

 

Roman Catholics, who only know their religion, pray to Mary and saints and believe that God could turn into a wafer, will to reject people who have received Jesus Christ.

 

I hope that has clarified things. Most Latin American countries were Catholics, and you see how they were. When Europe was Catholic, it certainly had some nasty dictatorships, such as the dictator in Spain. Or, if you look at Hitler or Mossolini, who would probably be friends with the Catholic church in some way or another.

 

When I refer to Christianity, I'm referring to Protestant Christianity first of all, and secondly, to the true born-again church where people have actually received Jesus Christ, and will stand up for their faith regardless of whatever circumstances may coerse them to give it up.

[Admiral Thrawn]

and I believe it is the largest muslim nation, population-wise.

 

Ok, Indonesia is Muslim.

 

Buddist countries got Communist reguimes, but Protestant Christian ones did not, so what does that say?

[hooghie]

Certainly. The Roman Catholic church is not a true Christian church, and were burning Bible-believing born-again Christians to a stake, who really received Jesus Christ. So, that was one of the worst persecutions inflicted against people who have received Jesus Christ.

 

To receive Jesus Christ by faith and say you are saved goes against the whole teachings of the Roman Catholic church. You would deny the sacraments, purgatory, confessing to a priest, and virtually their whole system, because you have already made it by faith.

 

Roman Catholics, who only know their religion, pray to Mary and saints and believe that God could turn into a wafer, will to reject people who have received Jesus Christ.

 

I hope that has clarified things. Most Latin American countries were Catholics, and you see how they were. When Europe was Catholic, it certainly had some nasty dictatorships, such as the dictator in Spain. Or, if you look at Hitler or Mossolini, who would probably be friends with the Catholic church in some way or another.

 

When I refer to Christianity, I'm referring to Protestant Christianity first of all, and secondly, to the true born-again church where people have actually received Jesus Christ, and will stand up for their faith regardless of whatever circumstances may coerse them to give it up.

 

There are many who would argue that the way this interpretation of Islam (to execute someone who converts) is not 'true' Islam as Islam is about peace. This is the problem with all religious people- they think their religion is so superior.

 

The ONLY problem with Afghanistan is that religion is mixed with the government/rule of law. If ANY religion were to be mixed with the gov- there would be severe problems- even your 'true' Christianity.

[alphamale]

The ONLY problem with Afghanistan is that religion is mixed with the government/rule of law.

Unfortunately a basic tenet of Islam is to meld religion and government and everything else under the Sun. It does not work so well in practice.

[alphamale]

Who is Cat Stevens?

what?! you must be like 20 yrs old. he was a famous singer from the 1970s.

[blind_otter]

Ok, Indonesia is Muslim.

 

Buddist countries got Communist reguimes, but Protestant Christian ones did not, so what does that say?

 

Um.

 

Is Cuba Buddhist?

 

Did I not get that memo?

 

Also, I thought that all religions were persecuted in Communist regimes. Correct me if I'm wrong, I did a paper about religious persecution in communist regimes in college, so I should let that professor know about your research.

 

snort.

[Admiral Thrawn]

There are many who would argue that the way this interpretation of Islam (to execute someone who converts) is not 'true' Islam as Islam is about peace. This is the problem with all religious people- they think their religion is so superior.

 

No, Islam is about war. You have the doctrine of jihad, and what deserves to happen to infidels. The Korean has references in it that encourages war against infidels, so the idea that is is a religion of peace is not an interpretation of true Islam.

 

People who make cartoons of Mohammed, or who write books against Islam, are under death-threat. However, when people take the name of the Christian God in vain, and even in movies, then nothing happens. Officially, in the Christian faith, the only real war is spiritual and it is not a flesh and blood conflict.

 

The ONLY problem with Afghanistan is that religion is mixed with the government/rule of law. If ANY religion were to be mixed with the gov- there would be severe problems- even your 'true' Christianity.

 

What you are saying is correct to an extent, but still does not diminish the arguement or proposition that Western democratic countries had a Protestant Christian foundation, and that all countries with a Protestant Christian foundation appear to be propsering and have democratic governments.

[blind_otter]

 

What you are saying is correct to an extent, but still does not diminish the arguement or proposition that Western democratic countries had a Protestant Christian foundation, and that all countries with a Protestant Christian foundation appear to be propsering and have democratic governments.

 

Wheeeee! I wish I lived in your world, it seems nicer.

 

what about the two most devestating wars of the 20th century, WWI and WWII?

[amaysngrace]

Roman Catholics, who only know their religion, pray to Mary and saints and believe that God could turn into a wafer, will to reject people who have received Jesus Christ.

 

I hope that has clarified things.

 

When I refer to Christianity, I'm referring to Protestant Christianity first of all, and secondly, to the true born-again church where people have actually received Jesus Christ, and will stand up for their faith regardless of whatever circumstances may coerse them to give it up.

 

okay...i'm RC and you are sadly mistaken about what this church is all about. i have received religion my entire life, and know i am a child of God.

 

you make mention of bad leaders and their religion...may i ask you...what faith is george w. bush?

 

i believe only those who are "born-again" and have "found" Christ, are those who, at some point in their lives, lost him.

[Admiral Thrawn]

Um.

 

Is Cuba Buddhist?

 

Did I not get that memo?

 

Also, I thought that all religions were persecuted in Communist regimes. Correct me if I'm wrong, I did a paper about religious persecution in communist regimes in college, so I should let that professor know about your research.

 

snort.

 

Right, but the fact is, the Buddist ideals or god of the land did not protect the people of the land from these dictators and suffering they have endured - we are talking about official national gods or religions.

 

Cuba may not have been Buddist, but it certainly was not the same Protestant Christianity founding faith like America now, was it?

[blind_otter]

Right, but the fact is, the Buddist ideals or god of the land did not protect the people of the land from these dictators and suffering they have endured - we are talking about official national gods or religions.

 

Cuba may not have been Buddist, but it certainly was not the same Protestant Christianity founding faith like America now, was it?

 

Oh, great and wonderful America with their horrific Civil War, the way we held on to slavery long after it had been proven economically unviable as a labor source, land of double speak and yellow journalism?

 

The kingdom of Asoka, which existed in central India, before Christ, had an 8000 year span of peace, the longest any kingdon or country has been without war in written history.

 

I have no idea exactly what you're getting at, as your arguments this far lack credibility.

[Admiral Thrawn]

okay...i'm RC and you are sadly mistaken about what this church is all about. i have received religion my entire life, and know i am a child of God.

 

you make mention of bad leaders and their religion...may i ask you...what faith is george w. bush?

 

It doesn't matter what church George W. Bush belongs to, what his heart is towards God is his own problem, and you only know him by his fruits. If you are familiar with Isaiah 1, and the book of James, you will realise that God is not pleased with religion where sinful or wicked actions are being carried out.

What matters to God is that the heart is right, and the underdog is being protected.

 

In terms of the Spanish Inquisition, as based on the Council of Trent, any one who doesn't believe the Catholic church is a heretic that is accursed, and everyone who is accursed should die. Isn't it that simple. Read your own church documents before you start defending it.

 

i believe only those who are "born-again" and have "found" Christ, are those who, at some point in their lives, lost him.

 

You are entitled to your own beliefs. Each individual is an individual, and I can not make judgements or generalisations about people. Again, only God can see the heart, and is qualified to judge people on a case by case.