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Murphy Martin Commentary
March 30, 2006

 "Christians vs Muslims"

The recent controversy surrounding Abdul Rahman, the man who was arrested in Afghanistan for converting to Christianity, sheds new light on the tens of thousands of highly guarded and secretive Christians in Afghanistan. Rahman, 41, made his move to become a Christian 16-years ago.

Conservative Muslims in Afghanistan see Rahman's conversion as an act of treason against Islam, a crime that can carry the death penalty. For Americans and others in countries that have spent money and precious lives to rid Afghanistan of the Taliban, Rahman's trial itself is a betrayal of not just religious values but the values of human rights.

An international outcry and pressure from Afghan leaders led the judge to drop charges against Rahman Wednesday. However, Rahman was reported to be so fearful for his life surrounded by Muslims, he is seeking political asylum outside Afghanistan.


Amidst growing questioning of Christianity elsewhere in the world, the arrest of Rahman is leading some Americans to go public with their concerns about the growing Muslim presence in the United States. More questions are being asked, if not publicly, privately. The question we have heard most often is: Can Muslims be good Americans?

Theologically the Muslim allegiance is to Allah. No other religion is accepted. They don't believe in the Bible, they believe in the Quran. Their allegiance to Islam forbids them to make friends with Christians or Jews. Muslims also submit to spiritual leaders who call for annihilation of among others, America, whom they call the great Satan. Muslims also reject our constitution because it was based on Biblical principles and they believe the Bible is corrupt. Every Muslim government is either dictatorial or autocratic.

These and several other questions about the growing Muslim presence in America beg for the question: Can Muslims and Christians co-exist? Will more Muslims in America turn to Christianity? Can American-born Christians remove the red-flag of concern that was so indelibly implanted by Muslim involvement in the 9/11 attacks? How soon, if ever, can Americans believe that not ALL Muslims are devoted to killing all Americans?

Ibrahim Hooper, of the Council of American Islamic Relations says the Rahman arrest in Afghanistan: "It's not any different from the unfortunate incidents we have seen--beheadings, kidnappings--that have created negative perceptions of Muslims ... obviously we don't think it's a good thing to leave Islam. But that judgment is left to God in the next life, not up to people in this life."

The fact remains, however, that since the 1980s, converts from Islam to other religions including Christianity, have gone to trial in a handful of countries governed by Islamic law. In many cases, those charged were executed.

Jeff King, president of the Christian Advocacy organization International Christian Concern, said:" When we have a hand in forming a country that we've paid for in blood and dollars, then we have a right to speak up. ...If they are going to form a version of Taliban Light, then we need to consider that we are propping these countries up!"

A bigger question may be how long do Americans remain quiet about the growing presence of Muslims? Is it a legitimate national problem? Our Constitution says we have religious freedom in America. Will Christian Americans continue to embrace that freedom, or, will a growing number of Muslims moving here be considered something other than religious freedom?

Expect more public discussion of these matters in the days to come. Americans will determine the outcome and remember we are often more Zealous in our approach to matters that take place WITHIN these United States of America! Damning Christianity is not acceptable to the majority of Americans!

May God continue to richly bless America and all people who choose Christianity as their way of life!
 

Murphy Martin

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