Because our belief is that God wants to be worshiped on his terms, not ours. The story of Satan is a good example, God commanded him to prostrate to Adam but Satan refused and instead offered to worship more than anyone else. As a result he was cast out of Heaven. Satan wanted to worship God on his own terms and conditions, it doesn’t work that way.
In that case, the laws and punishments for “God’s rights” don’t apply to you since you don’t believe He gave them. These laws apply to Muslims who believe in fundamental articles of faith, and those Muslims who apostatized away from Islam.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?
In that case, the laws and punishments for “God’s rights” don’t apply to you since you don’t believe He gave them. These laws apply to Muslims who believe in fundamental articles of faith, and those Muslims who apostatized away from Islam.
True, but I would feel obligated to defend a sacred human life against such practices, especially since I believe that they are man-made and not from God.
It should be stressed that punishment for apostatizing is only applicable in a country where Islamic Sharia is the law.
Which Muslims are trying to implement all over the world. Is that not the ultimate goal of Islam - to dominate the world and ‘conquer’ it all for Allah?
Islam doesn’t legislate punishment for what is in a person’s heart, this is up to God to judge. In fact, Islam forbids us from suspecting whats in peoples hearts. Penalties are only applied to what is made public or witnessed by others. This doesn’t take anything away from a person’s free will as long as they don’t infringe on society or in the case of Muslims, “God’s rights”.
How long does an apostate have to decide to repent? I’m not sure, a few days I think and this only applies to Males who have converted to Islam and then apostatized. As for the born Muslim male, I don’t believe he gets a second chance, I’ll have to verify this.
God’s Mercy and Forgiveness is available as long as the person is alive. All he has to do is repent with sincerity and he’ll be forgiven, this is another reason why we don’t believe in the blood atonement of Jesus.
Then, by killing an apostate, Muslims are usurping God’s right to bestow His mercy on a person. Who decides that someone who has become a Christian or Jew (I mention them, specifically, only because Muslims consider them People of the Book and, as such, people who worship the One True God) - who decides he/she is not worshiping God and is not eligible for His mercy? Where did God ever put a time limit (i.e. “x” number of days) on His mercy?
When/where did God give humans the right to legislate/judge/punish acts against “God’s rights”? I guess I’m just confused about this whole concept of “God’s rights”, particularly with regard to how we worship God, and God having other humans dole out punishments when one doesn’t do it exactly right. I don’t think I’ve ever encountered this term or concept before. Does anyone have any insight on this in the Old or New Testament? Would there be some sort of correlation or similar concept in Catholicism? (Obviously not killing apostates, but I’m thinking more along the lines of a mortal sin that doesn’t affect another person or society that is punishable in a similar manner by other humans here on earth? Maybe excommunication? Can anyone be “reinstated” so to speak after repentance once they’ve been excommunicated? But again, that wouldn’t end a person’s life and thus administer justice/punishment that belongs to God alone.
Because you erroneously assume that all Muslims are fundamentalists and that this girl’s story is automatically more credible than her parents’ despite you not having any access to any evidence?
I get what you’re saying Jay, you have the right to disagree, and Muslims also have a right to set their laws according to what’s important to them, even though you don’t believe in those laws. I may not agree that diluting the royal bloodline is considered treason, but the Brits feel the purity of this bloodline is one of the most significant parts of British society. I realize I’m comparing apples to oranges here but the purpose is the same. Adhering to the fundamental beliefs of Islam is one of the most significant parts of Muslim society.
That’s certainly one way to look at it, and there are Muslims groups who follow this line of reasoning. Islam asserts itself as a religion superior to all others, and that one day it will overtake the other religions and that it’s followers will inherit the earth, this is a prophecy in the Qur’an but why does everyone conclude Islam must conquer for Allah to realize this prophecy?
According to our belief, these are God’s laws, however I don’t believe that Muslim governments can implement a Just society without being heavy handed. It’s my opinion that compared to what we have today and in the absence of the Imam, a secular government where religious authorities don’t enforce any of the laws is the better type of Government for Muslims to live under.