10th March 2009
“In Malaysia, people who try to desert Islam can face compulsory "re-education". Under the far harsher regime of Afghanistan, death for apostasy is still on the statute book, despite the country's American-backed "liberation" from the tyranny of the Taliban. The Western world realised this when Abdul Rahman, an Afghan who had lived in Germany, was sentenced to die after police found him with a Bible. After pressure from Western governments, he was allowed to go to Italy. What especially startled Westerners was the fact that Afghanistan's parliament, a product of the democracy for which NATO soldiers are dying, tried to bar Mr Rahman's exit, and that street protests called for his execution.”
March 10th, 2009 at 11:38
I cannot help thinking that some severe punishment for possessing a bible would be a forward step in the UK. It is a nasty little book of lies that does far more harm than good.
March 10th, 2009 at 12:58
Quote – “I have said before that the worst that can happen to us is that we become the people we despise.”
March 10th, 2009 at 15:05
I think that I would rather be alive and despise myself, than dead and self-righteous about it.
March 10th, 2009 at 15:23
Of course Heretic, but why should anyone anywhere have to make a decision like that in todays world?
I never, and it’s just plain wrong, want to compromise my principles/values because another thinks it better that I be silenced.
Freedom of speech is such an amazingly powerful right that needs to be disseminated throughout the planet.
Proper and needed education won’t work until it is.
March 10th, 2009 at 15:25
Wow, threat of death for possession of a book, and today.
So many problems, so few people who bother to “please engage brain.”
Book banning/burning of any kind will not be the answer.
An acquaintance of mine, immediately became a friend after I read a quote he wrote pertaining to book banning. His final line (and I quote it often) stated: “The only reason to fear idea’s is ones own intellectual inability to counter so-called bad idea’s with better ones.” Ricky Barnes-keep writing brother.
Education is the key.
March 10th, 2009 at 16:44
What’s surprising about this little story is that anyone is surprised. The Koran is a book that has insulated itself against modernization – it is all literally true and no part of it may be said to be obsolete or can be updated. That’s why it’s so tough to find a Muslim “moderate”. Remember the deafening cries of rage from the moderate Islamic community after 9-11, Madrid, London? Neither do I.
March 10th, 2009 at 18:11
@Please engage brain,
After further review, my comment which included your name was meant to compliment. 🙂
March 10th, 2009 at 22:42
Well said, Engage Brain. It is a nasty little book, though.