My friend, we are in agreement on the precedent, we are in agreement on the impact to the world with the Islamic fundamentalist being emboldened in their own minds by this. It is more dangerours. <> My only point is that I will not condemn these men based on a coerced confession, testimonial, or statement. Such statements are not true reflections of the soul and I will let God judge them in that regard. That is all.
I believe in such situations a person must be in tune with and listen to the Spirit of God and then act accroding to His will. I know exactly what my inclination would be...to take the sword as opposed to ever deny my faith verbally.
On the other hand, if God had a purpose for me and desired that I should live through such an experience and convicted me in my heart to give into such abject verbal coersion while maintianing my true faith in my heart...and if I knew that was God's will in the matter...then I would be foolish to either fight against it or go against His will in the matter. That matter of the heart and what His will is is something that He will Judge.
Understand your sentiment Jeff.
My first reaction to the news this morning, aside from joy at them being freed, was not to judge them for the forced confession.
It was dismay. I truly hope that you are correct and that I am wrong.
I am not saying that I would have been strong enough in their situation to not do what they did (I pray that I would be) but the admonition from Scripture not to deny Christ is what came to my mind immediately. It would in that situation also.
'Pod.