They did what they had to do to survive... but them converting to Islam under the barrel of a gun is kind of dissappointing. The Bible teaches us stand up to the false prophets and Gods... even under duress of death. It does not teach us to sacrifice our beliefs so that we may live another day, or lie about our convictions to stave off the blade. We have many wonderful examples in the Bible about this sort of thing.
God bless them and their families
The words they were forced to say aren't important... it's what's in their heart that matters. I don't see that they sacrificed their beliefs at all, since they didn't really convert to Islam. I don't hardly think Centanni and Wiig are going to suddenly start carrying Korans and planning suicide bombings.
Similarly, moral people are against killing others, but there is a moral justification for killing in defense and in war. This is war and they were defending themselves, with words instead of bullets.
Are you insane? So these two men should leave their families FATHERLESS? Is that what a GOOD CHRISTIAN would do?
Dear Cinnamon,
For heaven's sake (literally) they didn't CONVERT. Wasn't that rather obvious, even before their rescue? Are you kidding? They said what they had to in order to survive. And, were you privvy to their potential inner communications with God before or during their parroted words? I thought not. But even so, you feel they are not "good" Christians? Well guess what, most Christians are NOT, certainly not all the time -- most definitely including me -- and it doesn't take a gun to my head to bring out disappointing actions in me, sadly.
Perhaps your sins are truly far less in number and in human perception of "badness" than mine and theirs are. But as I recall, most of those "wonderful examples" you refer to that are in the Bible, also out and out screwed up royally in addition to their best moments. Did they disappoint you too? Don't you see that we are all disappointments in that way, Cinnamon? I do not at all mean to be rude to you -- I just find it so hurtful that you would take this unbelievable moment of their lives to say judgmental things about these men, that I am defending them.
If they are indeed Christians to begin with (personally, I am factually unaware of that, either way, but IF they are -- ) we are all going to the same place anyway, and thankfully, our God won't be comparing our past sins on earth to one in other the way "we" sometimes do -- especially not judging the worst moments of one's life as necessarily conclusive and definitive.
I know we are all so relieved and thankful they have been released -- AMEN!