Is it hard to be a Christian?
Do you think it's hard to be a follower of Christ? If not, think again. Here's an excerpt from the Chicago Tribune on March 21, 2006.KABUL, Afghanistan -- Abdul Rahman told his family he was a Christian. He told the neighbors, bringing shame upon his home. But then he told the police, and he could no longer be ignored.
Now, in a major test of Afghanistan's fledgling court system, Rahman, 42, faces the death penalty for abandoning Islam for Christianity. Prosecutors say he should die. So do his family, his jailers, even the judge. Rahman has no lawyer. Jail officials refused to let anyone see Rahman on Monday, despite permission granted by the country's justice minister.
"We will cut him into little pieces," said Hosnia Wafayosofi, who works at the jail, as she made a cutting motion with her hands. "There's no need to see him."
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Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
Romans 8:38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[m] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Please take time out and pray for Abdul Rahman and other brothers and sisters who are persecuted for their faith.
posted by Mercy Now @ 6:26 PM
5 Comments:
It's really horrible... I still can't believe that any country could be so prejudiced against religion!
Michael,
What a surprise that you are asking honest questions:o)
There are states that exercise freedom of religion. The two that I know for sure are Turkey and Morroco. I'd probably put the UAE in this category as well. It's not illegal to be a Christian and you can have churches there. That being said, the freedom of religion besides Muslim is still very restricted, e.g. it's illegal to proselytize or evangelize. There are, of course, the radicals and then there are the regular Muslims if you will.
Like here in the states, a lot are Muslims by name only and do not really practice it. There are those that are peaceful practioners as well. The problem is the radicals are fighting for power and trying to setup an Islamic state. I would think that Jordan is right behind Morroco and Turkey, then Pakistan and Saudi, to Iran, Syria, etc.
The reason some are more anti religious freedom is b/c of the amount of power the radicals have. Pakistan can easily tip into an Islamic state. Turkey went from Islamic law to a secular constitution back in the 1920s when the king then wanted a secular state. Morroco's prince wants to have good relations with the West so he has loosen the laws in his country. This is prob the same with Jordan. Iran is heading to a more radical position since its new president was elected.
Michael,
To answer your 2nd and the last question, just like anything, there are degrees. You have the avg Muslims here who would disagree with US policies abroad but would not resort to violence, mainly b/c they'll go to jail, then the radicals like those on 9/11. The thing that I'm not so clear is how Muslims view the Koran's teaching on jihad. If one believes it, then it basically means the destruction of all non Muslims, atleast that's my understanding.
Last, while we (the mainstream US) do not view Iraq and Afgn as religious but aggressive self defense, the people in Muslim countries view it differently. It's a sense of pride and the fact that we've been backing Israel against the Palestinians for so long does not help.
When we invaded Iraq the second time, moderate Muslims in secular states felt embarrased b/c it was a defeat for Muslims b/c the overwhelming thing in common is Muslim. It's kinda like if a Muslim nation invaded Britain b/c we would align ourselves very close to the Brits.
It is obvious to all muslims around the world that one day, that Abdulrahman will find his way back to the truth, I just hope and pray to god no one could harm him because it is plain to us Muslims and it is in our religion that once you chose Islam you can.
Personally as a muslim living in Saudi Arabia, I been Muslim all my life and I cant reject this what so ever.
It could be very stupid once you've seen the light and truth to turn around and say (yeah i know all of that, goodbye!!!!).
Truth says that not only Abdulrahman felt lost, we had a very famous, popular and knowledgeable egyptian who was on TV for years and he one time said after many years of research that he didnt believe in God anymore!! he just simply rejected the whole idea Jews, Christians and Muslims been fighting for for hundred of years!
He faced death, and torture but stood for what he believed in, they let him go hoping he will wake up from his madness but they always knew how easy it was to find him.
Now tell me people, why did he chose Islam to believe in God again once again, why not Christianity?
I just pray they wont kill him or anything, it is just a matter of time to become a Muslim again or its some kind of a new media play to add to the archive.
how sad if it was a media joke or money because someone is facing death whereever he goes because of it, (stupid).
Anonymous,
Thanks for your comments. I think the big deal about this is that people should not be killed for their belief. You can believe in whatever, I mean we have people here in the U.S. that believes in Mother Earth, then there are people in India that believe in reincarnation. Whether it's true or not is another story.
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