Posted on 07/18/2008 2:28:34 PM PDT by Free ThinkerNY
Lawmakers in Iran are considering a proposal to make the death penalty automatic for those who leave the Muslim faith.
Abe Ghafari of Iranian Christians International, Inc. (ICI) was at least a little surprised to learn the news. "Before, it was like an option that an Islamic judge could decide to use or not to use -- but now it will become an automatic thing. And from the language of the legislation, it seems like something that cannot be appealed," Ghafari contends.
The death penalty would primarily apply to those who convert to the Christian faith. "There are large numbers of conversions from Islam, maybe even in the tens of thousands every year, and this is causing concern in the Islamic circles in Iran," Ghafari explains.
People who use the Internet to convert people away from the Muslim faith will also be subject to the death penalty. Ghafari was asked if this information shocked him. "Yes, it does a bit because we do know that under Islamic law of Iran, there was always this option of issuing death penalties for any conversions from Islam. So this was already available, but it looks like they just want to escalate persecution – making the death penalty almost automatic for anyone who converts from Islam," Ghafari adds.
While Christians are the primary target, anyone converting to the Bahá'í faith will also face the death penalty. Ghafari sees trouble ahead, and is hopeful Christians everywhere will pray for the underground church in Iran.
Information on legislation provided by ICI about Iranian apostasy and the death penalty is available here.
This would be an interesting comment by Iran’s lawmakers on one of the US Presidential prospective nominees.
...and I hear people ripping Christians in this country for sharing their faith...
It’s akin to the torture issue if you ask me.
Hacking of limbs vs. underwear on the head
The Roach Motel of religions.
What does it say about a religion (sic) that you have to threaten death to keep people from leaving it?
What does it say about the people that believe that crap?
It says that intensive brainwashing from the cradle to the grave workds pretty well.
And Bush now wants to play footsie with the Mullahs, who swear “Death to America”, to get the price of oil down a little.
Pathetic.
I heard you get banned here for thinking that these people should be ‘taken care of’.....
Iranians need to be “taken care of”. That government is evil.
Sounds more like a political party, than a religion.
ROP Ping
Can we now finally have a decision to turn Iran into one, nice big geiger-counting glass factory?
Ping.
What that mean? Piss be upom him?
Yeah! I can dig dat! Especialy afta I drunk a case of Old Mildew!
In the year 2150 the whole world will be Muslim, except the South Pole, there will be a city under a huge tropical climate dome, vast underground hydroponic gardens, all vehicles will run on cold fusion, mankind will be mostly disease free and perfectly able to live over 150, no crime, no hunger, no wars, but most important....
NO MUSLIMS!
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