Death could await Christian convert

[cappie]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In the days of the Taliban, those promoting Christianity in Afghanistan could be arrested and those converting from Islam could be tortured and publicly executed.

That was supposed to change after U.S.-led forces ousted the oppressive, fundamentalist regime, but the case of 41-year-old Abdul Rahman has many Western nations wondering if Afghanistan is regressing.

Rahman, a father of two, was arrested last week and is now awaiting trial for rejecting Islam. He told local police, whom he approached on an unrelated matter, that he had converted to Christianity. Reports say he was carrying a Bible at the time.

"They want to sentence me to death, and I accept it," Rahman told reporters last week, "but I am not a deserter and not an infidel."

The Afghan constitution, which is based on Sharia, or Islamic law, says that apostates can receive the death penalty. (Watch how Rahman's case could cast doubts on Afghanistan's commitment to democracy -- 1:17)

Afghanistan's population is 80 percent Sunni Muslim and 19 percent Shiite Muslim, according to the CIA. The other 1 percent of the population is classified as "other."
U.S.: Freedom to worship part of democracy

Rahman's case raises thorny issues between Afghanistan and its Western allies, and U.S. officials this week made certain that Afghan Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah, who is in Washington for talks on the U.S.-Afghan strategic partnership, understood their qualms.

"We have underscored also to Foreign Minister Abdullah that we believe that tolerance and freedom of worship are important elements of any democracy," U.S. State Department spokesman Scott McCormack told reporters Tuesday. "We urge the Afghan government to conduct any legal proceedings in a transparent and fair manner."

Abdullah was supposed to talk to reporters Tuesday about talks for the strategic partnership. Instead, Abdullah was bombarded with questions about the Rahman case.

"I know that it is a very sensitive issue and we know the concerns of the American people," Abdullah said, adding that the Afghan Embassy in Washington had received "hundreds of messages" on the issue.

He further said that the Afghan government had nothing to do with the case.

"But I hope that through our constitutional process, there will be a satisfactory result," he said.

Rahman's case illustrates a split over the interpretation of the Afghan constitution, which calls for religious freedom while stating that Muslims who reject Islam can be executed.

Nicholas Burns, undersecretary for political affairs, said he understands the complexities of the case and promised the United States would respect Afghan sovereignty. However, he said, Afghans should be free to choose their own religion, and he believes the nation's constitution supports that.

"We hope the Afghan constitution is going to be upheld," Burns said. "If he has the right of freedom of religion, that ought to be respected."

Rahman's case could force Afghan President Hamid Karzai into the undesirable position of mediating the matter. Karzai has to placate an ever-restless populace in turbulent post-war Afghanistan, but at the same time, he needs Western assistance to stave off the remnants of the Taliban and al Qaeda.
Allies indignant

The U.S. has 23,000 troops in the country; Germany has 2,700. Canada has 2,300 stationed there, and Italy has 1,775, according to Reuters.

All four nations have expressed displeasure over the situation, some even saying that it is intolerable that soldiers of all faiths die to protect a country threatening to kill its own for converting to Christianity.

Former Italian President Francesco Cossiga wrote a letter to Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, urging him to withdraw Italian troops from Afghanistan unless Kabul guarantees Rahman's safety, Reuters reported.

"It is not acceptable that our soldiers should put themselves at risk or even sacrifice their lives for a fundamentalist, illiberal regime," Cossiga wrote.

Rep. Tom Lantos, the ranking Democrat on the House International Relations Committee, wrote a letter to Karzai asking him to intervene and uphold "core democratic principles and fundamental human rights."

"In a country where soldiers from all faiths, including Christianity, are dying in defense of your government, I find it outrageous that Mr. Rahman is being prosecuted and facing the death penalty for converting to Christianity," Lantos wrote

[rkwright]

I read about this on another news website... a sad day indeed.

It comes down to the president having to sign the death sentence, so I'm hoping the US, but more importantly the anti-death penalty of our EU allies in Afghanistan will be able to presuade him other wise.

[Defender_of_the_Faith]

This is truly sad. We must keep this man in our prayers and hope the world comunity takes a more outspoken stance on this.

[toledo_jesus]

we wouldn't want them rioting again...I imagine this fella will die with nary a word from the "world community."

[Cow of Shame]

[quote name='toledo_jesus' date='Mar 22 2006, 09:00 PM']we wouldn't want them rioting again...I imagine this fella will die with nary a word from the "world community."
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[/quote]

Not true.

[quote][b]
Allies indignant[/b]

The U.S. has 23,000 troops in the country; Germany has 2,700. Canada has 2,300 stationed there, and Italy has 1,775, according to Reuters.

All four nations have expressed displeasure over the situation, some even saying that it is intolerable that soldiers of all faiths die to protect a country threatening to kill its own for converting to Christianity.

Former Italian President Francesco Cossiga wrote a letter to Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, urging him to withdraw Italian troops from Afghanistan unless Kabul guarantees Rahman's safety, Reuters reported.

"It is not acceptable that our soldiers should put themselves at risk or even sacrifice their lives for a fundamentalist, illiberal regime," Cossiga wrote.

Rep. Tom Lantos, the ranking Democrat on the House International Relations Committee, wrote a letter to Karzai asking him to intervene and uphold "core democratic principles and fundamental human rights."

"In a country where soldiers from all faiths, including Christianity, are dying in defense of your government, I find it outrageous that Mr. Rahman is being prosecuted and facing the death penalty for converting to Christianity," Lantos wrote.

One German official promised to intervene if necessary. Another, Development Minister Heide Wieczorek-Zeul, said, "We will do everything possible to save the life of Abdul Rahman," according to Reuters.

Canada echoed that sentiment, saying human rights in Afghanistan was a top priority and that "Canada will continue to encourage the Afghan government to adhere to its human rights obligations," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Pamela Greenwell told Reuters.[/quote]

[url="http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/03/22/afghan.christian/index.html?section=cnn_topstories"][u]From HERE[/u][/url]

[toledo_jesus]

[quote name='Cow of Shame' date='Mar 22 2006, 09:19 PM']Not true.
[url="http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/03/22/afghan.christian/index.html?section=cnn_topstories"][u]From HERE[/u][/url]
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sweet.

keep expectations low, that way you are pleasantly surprised with marginally better results.

[Defender_of_the_Faith]

[quote]"In a country where soldiers from all faiths, including Christianity, are dying in defense of your government, I find it outrageous that Mr. Rahman is being prosecuted and facing the death penalty for converting to Christianity," Lantos wrote.[/quote]


My thoughts exactly

[1337 k4th0l1x0r]

This has to be bogus. Everyone knows Islam is a peaceful religion.

[catholicinsd]

Someone call in the Swiss Guards!

[Lil Red]

[quote name='1337 k4th0l1x0r' date='Mar 22 2006, 11:30 PM']This has to be bogus.  Everyone knows Islam is a peaceful religion.
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[/quote]
*snort*

[Didacus]

This matter should be commented upon very carefully and weighed/acted upon with considerable reflection:

[quote]"It is not acceptable that our soldiers should put themselves at risk or even sacrifice their lives for a fundamentalist, illiberal regime," Cossiga wrote.[/quote]
A comment like this one can be used against the Vatican. There are, of course, very distinct differences in the beliefs, their interpretation and their application; in no way am I saying that the two (Vatican and Afghan) deserving similar treatment, but in the eyes of those who submit to the theology of liberation the equation:

Afghan = Vatican

can begin to make sense.


We have every reason to be charitable in our comments towards Afghan's government, and our own security included. although we need to speak out against any injustice that presents itself.

[Lil Red]

yikes!

[Didacus]

[quote name='Lil Red' date='Mar 23 2006, 03:28 PM']yikes!
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[/quote]

If that was intended towards my post, all I can say is;

Take a deep breath, look around - the world is scarier than you think.

[Cow of Shame]

[quote name='Didacus' date='Mar 23 2006, 05:24 PM']A comment like this one can be used against the Vatican.  There are, of course, very distinct differences in the beliefs, their interpretation and their application; in no way am I saying that the two (Vatican and Afghan) deserving similar treatment, but in the eyes of those who submit to the theology of liberation the equation:

Afghan = Vatican

can begin to make sense.

[/quote]

Well, until the Vatican starts killing Catholics that leave the church, I don't think we have to worry.

[Didacus]

[quote name='Cow of Shame' date='Mar 24 2006, 06:24 AM']Well, until the Vatican starts killing Catholics that leave the church, I don't think we have to worry.
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[/quote]

You are mistaken my friend.

What was the call of the dutch editor who printed the offensive pictures of Mohamed? Oh ya "We should not be tolerant with the intolerant". This is a call to conflict; plain and simple.

The liberals see the Vatican as being intolerant in many ways because they do not tolerant beautiful things like contraception, abortion and *gack* whatever else these imbeciles define as a 'human-right'.



Of course there is a world of difference, but oppressors, let them be liberals or muslims, do not need 'reason' to carry out their work and if analogies can be instinctively drawn, though not logically, we could find ourselves being incriminated for all sorts of things.



Do you think the Islamic people who support this decision think themselves to be wrong? Do you think they consider the execution an evil act? They probably see it no different than a serial killer being put to the chair in Texas. This does not excuse the injustice and the assault on liberty - just part of an explanation.


I've said it before and I'll say it again - I would much rather have a faithful muslim/islamist as my neighbor than a liberal; even in this case. At least you know where the mulsim stands, at least he will tell you to your face what he stands for, while a liberal will seek the same ends if not worse but be fully hipocritical about it. I would be easier to die quickly for my faith than have my faith and that of my children face corruption on a daily basis.





back to you cow...