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Challenging Islam’s laws

1:00am Thursday, 11th March 2010  

In April 2009 ten Muslim men from Palembang in South Sumatra, Indonesia were imprisoned for killing a Christian teacher and planning other attacks. A study group opposed to the conversion of Muslims to Christianity had fallen under the influence of radical Islam and decided to use violence to pursue its cause. Those who shared the Gospel with Muslims were their first targets.
For many Muslims, apostasy is a worse sin than murder, and it is usually the converts themselves who are most vulnerable to reprisals. All schools of Islamic law specify the death sentence for an adult male Muslim who chooses to leave Islam. Most also demand the same penalty for female apostates.
Only a few countries today have the death penalty for leaving Islam written into their legal systems. But it is normal for converts from Islam to face persecution and violence. And as happened in Indonesia, Christians who invite Muslims to faith in Christ may also be attacked.
In Muslim-majority countries apostates may be arrested on a pretext, or may lose their spouse and children, or their property and inheritance. Those who commit the violence often escape punishment.
I will be speaking in various churches in Australia in April and May, and will address this subject as well as introduce the work of Barnabas Fund. Details of these meetings are advertised in this Eternity on page 9 and on this page. We will be delighted to see you there.