Abdul Rahman isn't Braveheart...

Abdul Rahman is rightly getting steady and hopefully rising international attention. If you don't know yet, he is an Afghan Christian who is on trial for just that. He used to be a Muslim and converted, which, in case there's any confusion, is punishable by death according to the hadith;

"Narrated Abdullah: Allah's Messenger said, "The blood of a Muslim who confesses that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that I am His Messenger, cannot be shed except in three cases: in Qisas (equality in punishment) for murder, a married person who commits illegal sexual intercourse and the one who reverts from Islam (Apostate) and leaves the Muslims."

Now let's be clear - Mr Rahman is not the first Christian convert to be in this situation. It is a circumstance common to many persecuted brethren around the world day in, day out. I don't say this to diminish his plight, but I think it's important to put some context here.

But I want it made abundantly clear just exactly what the issue is. It's not about democracy, freedom, or *adopts muppet voice* The American Way.
It's about another Christian being persecuted in a place where Islam has the ascendency. It's no different to the persecuted church that doesn't ever get noticed, but is acquainted with the bottom of a boot in Egypt, and Sudan, and all the many places where the 'tolerance' of Islam is quite simply defined as

"Repent or die".

Do not be deceived. When Islam holds the reins, Christians who were born that way may live quietly under the protection racket that is Dhimmitude. But if you read Acts and follow the declaration of Peter and John who said "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard"; be sure that it will mean kangaroo courts, imprisonment and the realities of martyrdom.

Become acquainted with organizations like Voice of the Martyrs, and be ready to let the witness of the church actually do what it should. Tell people about Abdul Rahman and others and pray like crazy. But don't do it under the auspices of 'freedom'. The suffering church does not do so for freedom's sake. It does so for Jesus Christ.