This Is Deplorable: Afghan Man to Be Excuted for Converting to Christianity
From Christianitytoday.com:
It doesn't look good for Abdul Rahman. The judge in his case says the 41 year old clearly violated Islamic law by converting to Christianity. "If he doesn't regret his conversion, the punishment will be enforced on him," the judge said. "And the punishment is death."
The Chicago Tribune has changed its headline from "Afghan man faces death for being a Christian" to "Afghan man faces death for abandoning Islam." But both the judge and prosecutor (Rahman doesn't have a defense attorney) have said his crime isn't just conversion.
"It is illegal to be a Christian and it should be punished," the judge was quoted as saying in the Toronto Globe and Mail. Prosecutor Abdul Wasi told The Times of London, "We are Muslims and becoming a Christian is against our laws. He must get the death penalty."
Required Reading:
"Democratic Apostasy: The Martyrdom of Abdul Rahman" (Chuck Colson/BreakPoint)
"Whoever Changes Religion--Kill Him" (The London Times)
What You Can Do:
Contact your representative and senators (Capitol switchboard: 202-224-3121) and President Bush (e-mail president@whitehouse.gov or call 202-456-1111), and urge them to take action to prevent the execution of Afghan Christian Abdul Rahman.
My letter to the President (sent 3/21/2006):
Mr. President,
We MUST NOT allow Afghan authorities to execute Abdul Rahman because of his conversion to Christianity. Even if we have to "liberate" him from his confines. Such an execution would fly in the face of everything that's been accomplished. He should also be allowed to reclaim custody of his children.
Sincerely,
Rick Mansfield
UPDATE: As you probably well, know, Abdul Rahman was released and is now in asylum in Italy. Commentary I've heard says that blogs all around the country put pressure on our governments to pressure the Afghan government to Free Mr. Rahman.