Monday, April 17, 2006

Bad Faith

It seems like the Muslims are feeling a bit insecure about their faiths ability to legitimately hold the devotion of it's, uh, faithful (Thank you to Mustafa Kamel for forwarding this link to us.)


Debate on apostasy and political Islam
by Samir Khalil Samir


I read nearly 400 comments posted on the al-Arabiya website, based in Dubai, and the Arab site of the BBC, where hundreds of interventions were posted.

Glancing through the comments, one can see that around 50% uphold Rahman’s execution because this is what the Sharia says. For at least one out of four of these, the essential reason for the death penalty for apostates is:

if conversion to another religion is allowed, this would be fitnah (sedition), it would prompt others to follow this path, and thus all would become Christians.

To halt this trend, which is not considered “normal”, it is better to kill.


There's more to the article, including one Muslim woman who really understands why freedom of choice is important to a faith. (Go read it.) However, I think the passage above highlights very clearly why we have the trouble with Islam we do.

It's because Muslims have trouble with their own faith.

No man is more dangerous than he who can't live with himself.

6 comments:

Jason Pappas said...

I’d like to conclude that but I think it is more of an amusing anecdote.

As an aside and speaking of amusing anecdotes, let me tell you about a conversation I had with a New York City cab driver. This fellow was very adamant that gay marriage should not be legal. He said: who’s going to get married and create the children for the continuation of the human race. (It’s not the first time I heard this argument.) The fellow was implying that if it were legal to marry a man, we guys would opt out for that choice. Now, my wife is under the impression that I married her because I love here. I’m not sure whether he was more insulting to me or my wife. But I let it go. Some guys may visit our site for the hunk of the day but I suspect the babe of the day will remain the popular hit for guys.

Still, Muslims believed that over centuries, if you all only “entry” to Islam, as other religions allow “exit,” it can spread until everyone is a Muslim. In practice, however, Islam has often prevented conversion to slow the loss of a lucrative practice that keeps the coffers of the Islamic state flowing: Dhimmitude. Too many conversions only increase the need for Muslims have had to import slaves and conquer new lands.

Today, I think there is a cultural pull that worries devout Muslims: the pull of Western prosperity and freedom. I don’t think it is religion so much as being corrupted by Western secularism. What do others think?

Pastorius said...

Jason,
I like the story of the cab driver. I've always wondered about that argument myself. People who say gays choose the lifestyle always confuse me. Why would someone choose to be gay? Why would someone choose the ostracization?

And, of course, the ultimate question is, could they choose to go gay, to be attracted to men? Can they imagine looking at a man and saying, "I gotta get me some of that"?

I don't get it.

Anyway, I don't think the point of this article is merely an amusing anecdote. The writer says 25% of the people proposed this idea.

Anonymous said...

Whether they stay by fear, belief, indoctrination, .... when the only answer to non-belief is killing, well, that's a religion you don't want taking over your country. They WANT to take over the world, don't kid yourself that they don't for one second. The tolerance of their beliefs will be our undoing here in the USA. Just read "Age of Tolerance"

Can I send you some new outfits for your viewers? How about a maid's outfit???

American Crusader said...

I for one enjoy the infidel babe of the week as most red-blooded males probably do. I don't support gay marriage but I have no problem with civil unions. Clearly marriage is meant for heterosexual relationships.

The fact that apostates are given the death sentence shows how bankrupt Islamic thought truly is. Why are they so scared that anyone on their own free will might prefer Christianity over Islam?

Anonymous said...

American Crusader said
"I for one enjoy the infidel babe of the week as most red-blooded males probably do"

Well I certainly don't. All the girls you've shown so far are much too old.

- Prophet Mohammed (pbum)

Pastorius said...

Sorry about that, Prophet Mohammed, but we like women with actual breasts and hips, and all the thingamajiggers.