Quote:
Originally Posted by glo  I wonder whether the replies given are rather cagey ... and very quickly pointing towards Bible verses in the OT which also call for the death penalty. The death penalty for apostates is a topic which doesn't sit well with most people in the 21st century ...
I do not know of any instances when Christians or Jews who left their religion were killed (although that, of course, doesn't mean it doesn't happen)
However, there seem to be many accounts of Muslim apostates being killed around (unless those are all fabricated lies). Can I perhaps add to Caroline's question by asking, on what grounds Muslim apostates are still killed today?
Does this just happen in Muslim countries?
If Britain became a Muslim country, would it happen here too?
And how do you (the reader of this sentence) personally feel about the death penalty for apostates? Do you think it is right? Justified?
If it happened to your brother/mother/best friend, would you support it?
I hope you don't mind. Those who know me better, know how I love to ask questions! 
Peace |
peace
I don't recall hearing about any apostates being prosecuted since the case of the man in afghanistan who was pardoned or something?
The issue of apostasy is just not as simplistic as some people make out. For a certainty there were apostates at the time of the Prophet and he did not order their execution. And the qur'an speaks of punishments of apostates in terms of the next life only. It is not simply a question of choosing a different way of life other than Islam, it is when people who were practising Muslims become enemies of Islam. That would certainly call for punishment, and Allah knows best.
Also, in order for anyone to apostate from Islam they have to have been true believing and practising Muslims in the first place. So many Muslims are just brought up culturally Muslim, even if they have the outward signs of Islam like hijab and praying 5 times, it doesn't touch their hearts at all. so if they become Christians can they really be said to be apostates? After all, what Muslim parent takes their child to one side at an appropriate time and gives them the choice as to whether they want to be Muslims or not? and if they do, warn them that they might face execution if they change their minds in the future?
People change religion all the time. A Christian may decide to take the shahada, and then later on change his/her mind and go back to Christianity. does that deserve the death penalty? I don't believe so. If that was the case, then it should be made clear at the point of taking the shahada. and I for one think I might well have turned round and run if I had been told that.
We all know that faith has its ups and downs. And the words and actions of other people can have a big effect on our own faith. As a new Muslim I remember being absolutely devastated at times by the things I read, saw and heard from Muslims. As a matter of fact, the first 2 years as a Muslim were terribly hard for me because of that. It took time before I was able to ignore Muslims and concentrate on the qur'an and the sunnah.
sorry for the rambling, I have no idea if I answered even one of your questions!
peace