I Converted at Gunpoint - Am I Really a Muslim?

Slate ^ | Thursday, Aug. 31, 2006, at 6:30 PM ET | Daniel Engber

[van_erwin]

The two Fox News staffers who were kidnapped in Gaza earlier this month were forced to convert to Islam at gunpoint, according to news reports. Fox's Steve Centanni said on Wednesday that he didn't know if he was officially a Muslim—"I don't know enough about Islam to know if it was official, or recognized." Well, is he a Muslim, or isn't he?

[1rudeboy]

I think that's a great idea! And afterwards, send the answer to CAIR (as someone else suggested) for a comment.

[infowarrior]

Why should a Christian resolve not to lie to a muzzie to save his life, on pain of death? They'll lie to us in a heartbeat, not just to save themselves but to kill us. I don't think it's a sin to lie to those animals.

Simply because many Christians are of the opinion the you cannot serve G-d with a lie upon your lips...

the infowarrior

[mkjessup]

I thought that Islamic law included divorce where all you have to do is utter, three times, "I Divorce You!" If that's the method that Centanni can divorce himself drom his actions and all is: Okey Dokey!

I'm sure Mrs. Centanni has already laid down the law, and it ain't Islam. ;)

[happymom]

See post #21. I took that from the Ask the Imam site.

[don-o]

mark for later.

[longtermmemmory]

according to islam, yes it is 100% official.

[SlowBoat407]

I don't think he meant he was unsure so much in the spiritual sense as in the legal sense, whether it was recognized by muslims as legally binding.

Well then, for a reporter over there, he's pretty ignorant. Conversion by the sword is what these asshats live for, and it's how most of the world became muslim. For them, damn right it's official. I think he should now step up and tell the story (to use his words). Watch what happens when he recants, and see who sides with and against him.

[1rudeboy]

Interesting. But Mr. Centanni (or should I say Muhammed Centanni?) and his cameraman were not given the opportunity to pay tax.

[Malesherbes]

You have to pay dues.

[Abathar]

"according to islam, yes it is 100% official."

Even if he is taking a bite out of a Uncle Dave's pulled pork sandwich with a beer in his hand?

[happymom]

I imagine that will become a big part of the training these guys get before they go over there from now on. I'm sure up till now they were more concerned with the who's who and local politics rather than Islamic theology.

[longtermmemmory]

The Mediot is applying western standards to a barbarian religion.

According to Islam, Spain't seccession is a illegal act.

Mediots like this is what creates future Nevil Chamberlins.

[kanawa]

Hmmm, the point flew right over your head, I see.

By failing to distinguish between a religion,
that is, a organized system of beliefs based on the supposed desires of a diety
and individuals who have the possible misfortune of being born into that religion,
it is you who are missing the point.

[Wristpin]

"according to islam, yes it is 100% official."

He should be careful about the public waffling. Fatwas have been issued over this type of thing...

[knuthom]

First, people are invited or called to Islam. If they refuse and also refuse to pay the infidel tax, Muslims are supposed to fight them.

That is why the letter that the Iranian president sent Pres. Bush is significant. In the letter, he invites Bush to Islam. If Bush refuses, Iran is free to attack the US.

[happymom]

That is a good point. As I recall, paying the jizya also entailed accepting dhimmitude -- a subservient position in society, where you basically lived or died at the whims of the muslims. It involved wearing distinctive clothes, not being allowed to worship publically (or even privately, if you were seen by a muslim), basically the life of Christians in the Middle East today. Since this is already the status of most non-muslims in muslim countries, I guess the kidnappers felt they could just skip to the final option --- convert or die.

[SampleMan]

I guess the Muslim who tipped off the UK plane bombing plot wasn't a Muslim...

You mean the Pakistani that tipped them off? Possibly he doesn't consider himself a Muslim. Certainly not a "Good Muslim" by his friends standards.

[grobdriver]

Fox's Steve Centanni said on Wednesday that he didn't know if he was officially a Muslim

Steve, if you don't know, then nobody does.

[happymom]

Exactly. In the Mike Wallace interview, Ahmadinejad said “We are all free to choose. But please give him this message, sir: Those who refuse to accept an invitation will not have a good ending or fate.”

[Squawk 8888]

I agree. Even St. Peter denied his Christianity to protect himself so I don't think it's reasonable to expect more of someone else.