Teen who converted from Islam to Christianity

[Sister_Amy]

This is a fairly old story, I think. Wasn’t it determined that there was no validity to the girl’s claim?

Be careful believing what a runaway teen says. They’re notoriously emotional and will throw their parents under the bus at will–especially if they have other adults who are catering to their emotional tantrums.

I didn’t read the link, because I don’t click on links on forums. Is this an updated article? Is there some new information?

Edited - I just saw that this is a link to CNN (a legit. site) so I clicked on it. IMO, the people who helped the girl runaway are the dangerous ones. They’re playing with her mind to make a religious point. By posting this here, you’re asking for opinions. IMO, these “Christians” are a little touched. What kind of person would allow a minor to runaway from her parents and live with them? Wouldn’t a responsible adult (Christian or not) contact the authorities if they really thought the girl’s life was in danger? This is all about radical Christianity vs radical Islam, and this girl is the innocent pawn being used by the radical Christian side. And all radical Christians think that all of Islam is radical.

If my take on this situation is correct, those “Christians” should be thrown in jail.

I agree.

 

[seraphime2008]

You’re mixing free will with crime and punishment, the two are separate matters. In western society it’s generally accepted that a person has free will to do anything as long as that person does not infringe on the rights of society or other individuals. Free will doesn’t allow a person to assault others, steal, speed ect… Those actions have consequences. Islam takes the concept a step further and recognizes God’s rights, infringing on God’s rights is punishable, this includes drinking alcohol, and eating pork and apostasy.

WHy does God have to be angry that his creatures use the abundance of the earth including the alcohol and pork if it is done in moderation and doens’t harm them?
Why God should be angry if the apostates become a better person ? Why this God couldn’t have given an explanation well what his intention was? Why can’t He see that there were other people who still belief in Him but didn’t recognize Muhammad?

By the way, one of the primary reasons we can not accept the idea that Jesus died on the cross for our sins is because it invalidates the 2nd principle of faith, Adl (Divine Justice). This means that Allah is just, He never wrongs His creatures, he has no cause to wrong others, and doesn’t neglect anything, But in the crusifixion, we see an innocent man made to suffer the consequences of other people’s sins. Please don’t take this as a debate or challenge, I’m just pointing out our point of view.

You got it wrong, this innocent Man was not made to suffer, He takes the cross without force, He is God himself who willingly took the cross so that all human being can see how much He loves them! He took the cross , died and resurrected so we can see the example by the Lord himself that there is guarantee that all the suffer of human being for the truth and for the love of others will not go in vain, and all the people that is weak and wretched will have the power that is given from the Son to save them. That is the language of love, not just strict justice!

 

[VARC]

To be honest I don’t know. I believe one has to accept Islam as their religion first before they are bound by its laws, I don’t know how this relates to a person born into a Muslim family. At her age, I don’t think she is culpable. But I’m not sure so I’ll have to ask about this one.

This answer exemplifies all my reservations about the civility of Islam. The question was :is it right to kill a Saudi Arabian girl for converting to Christianity and your honest answer was “I don’t know”. How can a religion of peace be uncertain as to whether or not a girl can morally be executed because she freely converts to another religion. Islam is barbaric. Many Muslims are good people but that is despite their oppressive religion not because of it.

 

[Jay53]

You’re mixing free will with crime and punishment, the two are separate matters. In western society it’s generally accepted that a person has free will to do anything as long as that person does not infringe on the rights of society or other individuals. Free will doesn’t allow a person to assault others, steal, speed ect… Those actions have consequences. Islam takes the concept a step further and recognizes God’s rights, infringing on God’s rights is punishable, this includes drinking alcohol, and eating pork and apostasy.

Believing in Muhammad (pbuh&hf) is a principle article of faith and it’s not the only article of faith and it’s from these articles that the practices and rituals are derived and It’s important for a Muslim to understand the arguments and evidence for each of them.
Very briefly, the 5 articles of faith are Tawhid (Oneness of God), Adl (Divine Justice), Nubuwwat (Prophethood), Imamah (Leadership), Qyamma (Day of resurrection).

By the way, one of the primary reasons we can not accept the idea that Jesus died on the cross for our sins is because it invalidates the 2nd principle of faith, Adl (Divine Justice). This means that Allah is just, He never wrongs His creatures, he has no cause to wrong others, and doesn’t neglect anything, But in the crusifixion, we see an innocent man made to suffer the consequences of other people’s sins. Please don’t take this as a debate or challenge, I’m just pointing out our point of view.

I would agree with the first part of your response in that man has free will so long as what he does doesn’t infringe on others in society. I suppose my issue is where Islam goes too far in asserting laws and punishments for “God’s rights” that I don’t believe He gave. (I understand that Muslims believe God gave these so that doesn’t really get us anywhere. ) In any event, I fail to see/understand how God would give man such power to judge and punish another human being for what is in their heart and how they worship Him. I still don’t see how that doesn’t take away man’s free will. I’ve always been taught that God wants us to love Him with our whole heart, mind and soul, but that He doesn’t force that on us - He gives us free will to decide whether we do or not. Of course we will have to live *in eternity *with the consequences of our choice, but I don’t understand how God would give another human being the right to judge another person’s choice here on earth.

In the Muslim view, how long does the apostate have to decide to “repent” and turn back to Islam - and if there is a set time frame, does that not then put a limit on God’s mercy? His mercy is only available for “x” amount of days and if you don’t take advantage, God says kill you and you go to hell. I don’t for one minute believe that. Perhaps I don’t understand the Muslim view of God’s mercy and repentance?

 

[abucs]

How many people would leave Islam if it was safe to do so ?

 

[Eucharisted]

How many people would leave Islam if it was safe to do so ?

Well, thousands convert from Islam, so I imagine a lot would.

 

[wwolverine]

Even though Hadi has told the real truth about apostates, I may add that there is no punishment, even a slight punishment for apostates in Islam. Some one here has written that punishment according to Quran is death. That is absolutely wrong. Nobody can show such a verse of the Quran which may suggest death punishment.

But it is true that such is the belief of the ignorant Muslims and has been the belief for a very long time that the apostate is to be killed… That is the height of ignorance of the Mullas. There is no doubt that they prescribe death punishment for apostates, based on some singular (Ahad) Hadith.

Such Hadith is narrated by a single person, only once. It has no credibilty. In any case, no Hadith could over ride the words of the Quran “There is no compulsion in religion.”. Killing an apostate goes against that verse of the Quran.

I would not care if 1000 muslims left Islam and went away to christianity. That is there business. They want to live like a christian. So be it. No harm to any one. Any one can become a Muslim or Budhist or Baha’i or mormon. There is no punishment according to Islam.

But what to do? The muslim religious leaders, specially in the big teaching institutes, are preaching death for those apostates who leave Islam. They do not punish those apostates who come into Islam from catholics. That is another clear double standard and false belief of the Mullas. May Allah help those who cannot help themselves from the tyranny of these faulty bigots.

Hi Planten,

These are only your thoughts or its a concept of Muslims in general that they dont care who leaves islam and joins other faiths? If so why is the wrong concept which is in the minds of non muslims removed? why is no voice heard from educated muslims that there is no such thing written in Quran? Why this silence?

Even in discussions we come to read from few that the suicide bombings or Jihad is all wrong so why no voice regarding this?

Why is the muslim world silent?

 

[Eucharisted]

Hi Planten,

These are only your thoughts or its a concept of Muslims in general that they dont care who leaves islam and joins other faiths? If so why is the wrong concept which is in the minds of non muslims removed? why is no voice heard from educated muslims that there is no such thing written in Quran? Why this silence?

Even in discussions we come to read from few that the suicide bombings or Jihad is all wrong so why no voice regarding this?

Why is the muslim world silent?

Planten is a troll, just ignore his posts. There are some users on here who can testify to his misbehavior.

 

[Janet1983]

The following link is to a news article about a female teenage in Ohio who ran away after her father threatened to kill her for converting from Islam to Christianity. If she is returned to her famiy I give her less than two months to live. Why? Because the Koran is very clear about what should happen to her. If her father does not kill her then either another male realative will or another Muslim male in their community. This poor girl is about to suffer the peace and love of Islam.

cnn.com/2009/US/10/14/florida.muslim.convert/index.html

Please remember this young new Christian in your prayers.

This case has been on CBN for a while now… The latest decision was that Rifqua has to return to Ohio where she will be going into temporary foster care.
She will however not leave Florida until all of her paperwork is brought in. Her parents were ordered by the court to bring in her passport and immigration paperwork and have failed to do so until now. Until her immigrant status is confirmed she will remain in Florida giving her a little more time.
I am impressed with her, especially because she is prepared for the worst…
I pray she will not become the next victim of an honor killing and can remain away from her parents. Should her parents regain custody there is a possibility of them taking her back to her native Sri Lanka where she might get killed for being an apostate to Islam.

 

[Janet1983]

Even though Hadi has told the real truth about apostates, I may add that there is no punishment, even a slight punishment for apostates in Islam. Some one here has written that punishment according to Quran is death. That is absolutely wrong. Nobody can show such a verse of the Quran which may suggest death punishment.

But it is true that such is the belief of the ignorant Muslims and has been the belief for a very long time that the apostate is to be killed… That is the height of ignorance of the Mullas. There is no doubt that they prescribe death punishment for apostates, based on some singular (Ahad) Hadith.

Such Hadith is narrated by a single person, only once. It has no credibilty. In any case, no Hadith could over ride the words of the Quran “There is no compulsion in religion.”. Killing an apostate goes against that verse of the Quran.

I would not care if 1000 muslims left Islam and went away to christianity. That is there business. They want to live like a christian. So be it. No harm to any one. Any one can become a Muslim or Budhist or Baha’i or mormon. There is no punishment according to Islam.

But what to do? The muslim religious leaders, specially in the big teaching institutes, are preaching death for those apostates who leave Islam. They do not punish those apostates who come into Islam from catholics. That is another clear double standard and false belief of the Mullas. May Allah help those who cannot help themselves from the tyranny of these faulty bigots.

Did you ever read the Hadith? That is what Sharia law is based upon to a great extend and according to these texts Muhammad had everyone killed who abandoned Islam.
Where else do you think this comes from??
It seems like the information that killing an apostate has not reached the ones that actually do kill them…

Both the Qur’an and the Hadith advocate the execution of apostates:

Qur’an 4:89 - They wish that you should disbelieve, as they have disbelieved, and thus you become all alike. So, do not take friends from among them unless they migrate in the way of Allah. Then, if they turn away, seize them, and kill them wherever you find them, and do not take from among them a friend or helper.

Hadith:
Bukhari 52:260 - Ali burnt some people and this news reached Ibn 'Abbas, who said, “Had I been in his place I would not have burnt them, as the Prophet said, ‘Don’t punish (anybody) with Allah’s Punishment.’ No doubt, I would have killed them, for the Prophet said, ‘If somebody (a Muslim) discards his religion, kill him.’ "
Bukhari 83:37 - Allah’s Apostle never killed anyone except in one of the following three situations: (1) A person who killed somebody unjustly, was killed (in Qisas,) (2) a married person who committed illegal sexual intercourse and (3) a man who fought against Allah and His Apostle and deserted Islam and became an apostate.”
Bukhari 84:57 - I would have killed them according to the statement of Allah’s Apostle, ‘Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him.’
Bukhari 84:58 - Behold: There was a fettered man beside Abu Muisa. Mu’adh asked, “Who is this (man)?” Abu Muisa said, “He was a Jew and became a Muslim and then reverted back to Judaism.” Then Abu Muisa requested Mu’adh to sit down but Mu’adh said, "I will not sit down till he has been killed. This is the judgment of Allah and His Apostle (for such cases) and repeated it thrice. Then Abu Musa ordered that the man be killed, and he was killed. Abu Musa added, “Then we discussed the night prayers and one of us said, ‘I pray and sleep, and I hope that Allah will reward me for my sleep as well as for my prayers.’”
Bukhari 89:271 - A man embraced Islam and then reverted back to Judaism. Mu’adh bin Jabal came and saw the man with Abu Musa. Mu’adh asked, “What is wrong with this (man)?” Abu Musa replied, “He embraced Islam and then reverted back to Judaism.” Mu’adh said, "I will not sit down unless you kill him (as it is) the verdict of Allah and His Apostle
Muslim 16:4152 - 'Abdullah (b. Mas’ud) reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying : It is not permissible to take the life of a Muslim who bears testimony (to the fact that there is no god but Allah, and I am the Messenger of Allah, but in one of the three cases: the married adulterer, a life for life, and the deserter of his Din (Islam), abandoning the community.

 

[nsper7]

The following link is to a news article about a female teenage in Ohio who ran away after her father threatened to kill her for converting from Islam to Christianity. If she is returned to her famiy I give her less than two months to live. Why? Because the Koran is very clear about what should happen to her. If her father does not kill her then either another male realative will or another Muslim male in their community. This poor girl is about to suffer the peace and love of Islam.

cnn.com/2009/US/10/14/florida.muslim.convert/index.html

Please remember this young new Christian in your prayers.

We don’t know all the facts here. Her parents have denied threatening her and the cops cleared them. It sounds like the “denomination” she converted to maybe kind of a wacky one, so was she brainwashed (there are certain Fundamentalist Evangelical groups that brainwash new recruits and there are some that really despise Islam and more than just they disagree with Islam, they DESPITE it, sort of how I feel about Protestantism sometimes, but that’s because Protestantism rebelled against Holy Mother Church, persecutes Catholics and dares to deny that we are the True Church, but that’s a different story and many of the same Fundamentalists that hate Islam also hate Holy Mother Church).

All I’m saying is we don’t know the facts. I just have to find it a little odd a teenage who was born and raised in a Muslim family, suddenly becomes Fundamentalist Protestant and flees across the country to the Fundamentalist’s center in FL. Does anyone else wonder about that? How did a 16-year-old get across the country like that? How did she hear about this group?

I do hope everything goes well for her and her family.

 

[Janet1983]

We don’t know all the facts here. Her parents have denied threatening her and the cops cleared them. It sounds like the “denomination” she converted to maybe kind of a wacky one, so was she brainwashed (there are certain Fundamentalist Evangelical groups that brainwash new recruits and there are some that really despise Islam and more than just they disagree with Islam, they DESPITE it, sort of how I feel about Protestantism sometimes, but that’s because Protestantism rebelled against Holy Mother Church, persecutes Catholics and dares to deny that we are the True Church, but that’s a different story and many of the same Fundamentalists that hate Islam also hate Holy Mother Church).

She became a Christian years before she even got to know the Pastor she fled to in Florida… She had been a Christian for a while and the contact to the pastor by the way was via Facebook…

 

[nsper7]

She became a Christian years before she even got to know the Pastor she fled to in Florida… She had been a Christian for a while…

Well, why is she afraid they’ll kill her now? She’s been a Christian for two years. And what do we know about this Pastor in FL? It just seems odd.

EDIT: And it seems like the good Reverend waited three weeks to contact the child protection services or whatever.

 

[Janet1983]

Well, why is she afraid they’ll kill her now? She’s been a Christian for two years. And what do we know about this Pastor in FL? It just seems odd.

What we know about this Pastor is that she got to know him and his wife via a Christian group on Facebook. Because he cared about her she fled to him when the Bible in her room was discovered.
Her concern is reasonable considering the fact that her father had threatened her before and because she does not have her own immigration paperwork nor passport. It would be easy for her parents to get her out of the country and to Sri Lanka as long as they have her passport.
The fact that the court in Florida ordered the parents to surrender these things does not make going back to Ohio safer for her. There have been honor killings in the US before and she surely wouldn’t be the first victim…
In Texas Sarah Said (17) and Amina Said (18) were riddled with bullets by their father because they had boyfriends.
In Upstate New York Waheed Allah Mohammad tried to kill his 19-year old sister by repeatedly stabbing her (she survived). The reason? She was going to clubs, wearing immodest clothing, and planning to leave her family for a new life in New York City.
In Canada Aqsa Parvez was strangled to death by her father for refusing to wear the hijab.
In Britain 16-year old Heshu Yones whose family had been in the UK to flee from Saddam Hussein was stabbed by her father with a kitchen knife… She had embraced the British culture, dressed up, wore make-up and fell in love.

 

[nsper7]

What we know about this Pastor is that she got to know him and his wife via a Christian group on Facebook. Because he cared about her she fled to him when the Bible in her room was discovered.
Her concern is reasonable considering the fact that her father had threatened her before and because she does not have her own immigration paperwork nor passport. It would be easy for her parents to get her out of the country and to Sri Lanka as long as they have her passport.
The fact that the court in Florida ordered the parents to surrender these things does not make going back to Ohio safer for her. There have been honor killings in the US before and she surely wouldn’t be the first victim…
In Texas Sarah Said (17) and Amina Said (18) were riddled with bullets by their father because they had boyfriends.
In Upstate New York Waheed Allah Mohammad tried to kill his 19-year old sister by repeatedly stabbing her (she survived). The reason? She was going to clubs, wearing immodest clothing, and planning to leave her family for a new life in New York City.
In Canada Aqsa Parvez was strangled to death by her father for refusing to wear the hijab.
In Britain 16-year old Heshu Yones whose family had been in the UK to flee from Saddam Hussein was stabbed by her father with a kitchen knife… She had embraced the British culture, dressed up, wore make-up and fell in love.

I’m not denying there maybe cause for concern, I’m just saying this reads too much like an attempt to rally Evangelical Fundamentalists against Islam. Why did the person in Ohio (at some House of Prayer) send the girl to FL instead of contacting the authorities? Why did the pastor in FL wait three weeks before contacting the authorities?

And technically, we have her claims that her father threatened her before. Obviously, action must be taken to protect the girl’s life, but could this also be being overblown as an attempt by Evangelical Fundamentalists (who are no friends of the Catholic Church I might add) to smear Islam? I know in my town (Gainesville, FL), some “church” put up a billboard saying “Islam is of the Devil”. It seems like if Fundamentalists aren’t trashing Holy Mother Church, then they’re trashing Islam.

 

[Janet1983]

I’m not denying there maybe cause for concern, I’m just saying this reads too much like an attempt to rally Evangelical Fundamentalists against Islam. Why did the person in Ohio (at some House of Prayer) send the girl to FL instead of contacting the authorities? Why did the pastor in FL wait three weeks before contacting the authorities?

And technically, we have her claims that her father threatened her before. Obviously, action must be taken to protect the girl’s life, but could this also be being overblown as an attempt by Evangelical Fundamentalists (who are no friends of the Catholic Church I might add) to smear Islam? I know in my town (Gainesville, FL), some “church” put up a billboard saying “Islam is of the Devil”. It seems like if Fundamentalists aren’t trashing Holy Mother Church, then they’re trashing Islam.

I agree with your local church concerning Islam… I couldn’t say why the church in Ohio did not contact the authorities if they had knowledge about everything. I also don’t know what took the Pastor in Florida so long…
All I know is that her father threatened her and she hitchhiked to the bus station and fled to Florida. I also know that one of her pastors from Ohio (Jamal Jivanjee, who is a former Muslim himself) urged his church to support Rifqua financially by donating to the Fathima Rifqa Bary Trust…

 

[Janet1983]

I just found out something: on July 21 Rifqua was on the bus to Florida and on July 29 the Pastor actually called the authorities asking them what would happen in a case like hers and gave his contact information (they claim he didn’t, but they agree with the Pastor that he refused to disclose Rifqua’s name). He was told that she would most likely be taken back home. On the 31st she was on TV, still missing. 6 days later the pastor took the initiative again and talked to the authorities about Rifqua and told them her story… After a series of phone calls on their part they came to interview her… She was put in their custody and after a home study at the Pastor’s house she was allowed to stay there. The hearing from the morning of Aug 10 was postponed until the afternoon. Between those times the Pastor’s attorney told him to call TV. They did a six minute interview with her and that is how she came to be on the news and on youtube.
I guess that is how the 3 weeks come together…
I have been following her case since Mid-August…
I got a feeling as to why the Pastor stalled a little… I would think it logical for him to do so… She turned 17 on Aug 10… I guess it’s more likely for a 17-year old to not be send home immediately than for a 16-year old…

 

[kalt]

I agree.

Apparently teenagers of all faiths are alike.
Someone else on the thread said that the father had threatened the girl before. There’s no proof that he threatened her this time - what is the proof that he threatened her earlier?

The same person, I think, mentioned that the parents were holding the girl’s passport. Well, yeah. Wouldn’t you hold your child’s passport if she were a runaway risk? It seems that people are using the actions of a responsible, aware parent to prove that he’s a tyrant.

I’m sure this girl’s parents are more strict than she would like. Find a teen of good parents who wouldn’t make the same complaint.

Do we know enough to make a judgement about this case? IMO, people are jumping all over this man because he is Muslim. If he were Christian and the teen had converted to Islam, there would be as many posts claiming that the “Islamists” had brainwashed the kid and were trying to turn her into a terrorist.

I don’t know everything about this case, but I do know that I would never allow a runaway teen to live in my house without contacting the police. No responsible adult would harbor a runaway. And certainly no responsible adult would listen to these accusations (the crowd in OH), believe the girl, and do nothing about it.

There’s something not right about this story.

 

[nsper7]

Apparently teenagers of all faiths are alike.
Someone else on the thread said that the father had threatened the girl before. There’s no proof that he threatened her this time - what is the proof that he threatened her earlier?

The same person, I think, mentioned that the parents were holding the girl’s passport. Well, yeah. Wouldn’t you hold your child’s passport if she were a runaway risk? It seems that people are using the actions of a responsible, aware parent to prove that he’s a tyrant.

I’m sure this girl’s parents are more strict than she would like. Find a teen of good parents who wouldn’t make the same complaint.

Do we know enough to make a judgement about this case? IMO, people are jumping all over this man because he is Muslim. If he were Christian and the teen had converted to Islam, there would be as many posts claiming that the “Islamists” had brainwashed the kid and were trying to turn her into a terrorist.

I don’t know everything about this case, but I do know that I would never allow a runaway teen to live in my house without contacting the police. No responsible adult would harbor a runaway. And certainly no responsible adult would listen to these accusations (the crowd in OH), believe the girl, and do nothing about it.

There’s something not right about this story.

Yeah, I agree. To be perfectly honest, these days, I don’t trust Fundamentalist Evangelicals as far as I can throw them…and being out of shape these days, that ain’t far.

Having seen the hatred Fundamentalists harbor for the Catholic Church (i.e. they call us the “Whore of Babylon”, they deny the holiness of our Saints and Mother Mary, they insult our hierarchy) and then for Islam, I would not be totally surprised if this is a plot to make Islam look bad. Now, I could be wrong, but there are several inconsistencies here and Fundamentalists have been caught brainwashing people before. I mean, just look at the name of Rev. Lorenz’s “church”: Global Revolution Church.

Maybe my Anti-Protestantism bias is showing through, but I would hope if the situation were a Muslim who converted to Catholicism, that the Catholic Church would handle it a little better, going to the authorities promptly, not running things under the table (i.e. traveling under an assumed name, hiding someone from the authorities, etc.).

 

[famdigy]

This answer exemplifies all my reservations about the civility of Islam. The question was :is it right to kill a Saudi Arabian girl for converting to Christianity and your honest answer was “I don’t know”. How can a religion of peace be uncertain as to whether or not a girl can morally be executed because she freely converts to another religion. Islam is barbaric. Many Muslims are good people but that is despite their oppressive religion not because of it.

you spoke prematurely on this one, the question was “what is the sharia ruling on apostasy of a young girl who was born Muslim” I said I don’t know what the ruling is, but have since found it. scroll up for the answer.