How the Apostasy Debate Played in the Islamic World

Catholic Exchange ^ | April 29, 2006 | Fr. Samir Khalil Samir, S.J.

[NYer]

Father Samir was born in Egypt and lives in Beirut, Lebanon. He is one of the foremost Christian experts on the Islamic world.

[NYer]

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[NYer]

Ping!

[VeritatisSplendor]

Glancing through the comments, one can see that around 50% uphold Rahman’s execution because this is what the Sharia [Muslim law] says. For at least one out of four of these, the essential reason for the death penalty for apostates is: if conversion to another religion is allowed, this would be fitnah (sedition), it would prompt others to follow this path, and thus all would become Christians. To halt this trend, which is not considered “normal,” it is better to kill. The concept of “fitnah” is Koranic (mentioned more than 30 times in the Koran) and it often justifies violence.

All would become Christians? Father Samir's interpretation, or Muslim thought?

Mrs VS

[Paladin2]

Stop Jihad Now!

What if they gave a Jihad and no one came?

Jihad is NOT the answer

etc.

The messages above seem to be missing from the looney left.

[morque2001]

• In the '60s and '70s, there was a wave of socialism and this also failed and ended with the advent of the '90s. In Islamic countries, opposition always tended more toward the right; it upheld that Islam is “always” and by nature socialist. Even these ideologies failed.

Sociallism as such, may have failed, but the underlying philosophy, Collectivism, has only become more resolved. Every move made by suicide bombers and such, are always "For the Greater Good", be that Islam, their tribe, Nation or whatever. Collectivism has always called for the sacrifice of self to others, no matter what the cost, because in a collectivist's eyes, the "group's" survival and well being outweigh the needs and rights of any individual in the system.

[AliVeritas]

Excellent post NYer.

[manwiththehands]

... people no longer know what the true Islam is, they don’t know what to believe in because there are so many interpretations of each faith element.

Well they better start making up their collective one billion minds and start making some tough decisions and deal with it. I would be happy if they would simply stop killing innocent people and blowing things up.

I'm sick to death of Islam. Period.

[RKBA Democrat]

"For at least one out of four of these, the essential reason for the death penalty for apostates is: if conversion to another religion is allowed, this would be fitnah (sedition), it would prompt others to follow this path, and thus all would become Christians."

I too am unclear as to whether this is emphasized by the people making the comments, or whether this emphasis has been added by the author of the article, who comes from a Christian point of view.

In my view, a cult that has to prohibit conversions from it on pain of floggings, persecution, or death is not winning people's hearts and minds (or souls). Hence, a ripe opportunity for evangelization.

You know, things really haven't changed all that much in 2000 years. Substitute "ayatollah" for "Nero", and we're talking pretty much the same kinds of mentality. If we Christians are to emerge triumphant in all this, it will probably be through implementation of strategies similar to those employed by the early Christians.

[DManA]

If we Christians are to emerge triumphant in all this, it will probably be through intervention of the great Triune God.

[Sometimes A River]

One of the Afghani Imans said something to that effect.

If the Apsotate was deported, then many others would follow, so they could go to the West as well.

[agrace]

For at least one out of four of these, the essential reason for the death penalty for apostates is: if conversion to another religion is allowed, this would be fitnah (sedition), it would prompt others to follow this path, and thus all would become Christians.

I bet that the one in four doesn't at all realize what that opinion says about Islam itself.

[VeritatisSplendor]

"One of the Afghani Imans said something to that effect.

If the Apsotate was deported, then many others would follow, so they could go to the West as well."

That's the lure of the world, not Christianity. Maybe for them it's the same thing. Seductions and corruptions of the West = Christianity.

Mrs VS

[layman]

We Arabs say Islamic countries agree about one thing only: that they don’t agree among themselves

There's a slight 'disagreement' going on in Sudan right now.

[RKBA Democrat]

I stand corrected.

[DManA]

I know. I often have to remind myself that He is in charge.

[tessalu]

It was God himself that chose to give man his free will to chose , and Islam tries to take this from any man. How can one not see that this is pure evil? To force a "religion" upon a man?

[Valin]

If WHEN we Christians are to emerge triumphant in all this, it will probably be through intervention of the great Triune God.

[observer5]

"Leaving Islam would be a step backwards into error.”

These guys are certified Nutjobs.

Its basically the civilized, intelligent world against the savage, idiotic world.