The story of Abdul Rahman, on trial for his life in Afghanistan, is disturbing to anyone who loves the freedoms we enjoy here in the United States. Saturday’s story from Voice of America explains that Rahman is on trial not for becoming a Christian, but for being a “traitor to Islam.” The prosecutor in the case, Abdul Wasi, is seeking a punishment that he says would fit the crime. “Under Islamic law and under the Afghan constitution, he says, the defendant should be executed.”

There are three considerations at play in this case — Societal, Political, and Religious. The three are both intertwined and conflicting.

Looking at the societal aspect I am talking about society as a whole, The Brotherhood of Man if you will. The possibility that Rahman could be executed for his conversion is an abomination to the large portion of the world which believes in religious freedom. True religious freedom, including the right to worship in the way you choose or to not worship at all.

There appears to be a stunned silence from most of the world, a disbelief that someone could loose their life because of the religion they practice. We get rightly outraged at the atrocities committed by radical Islamists, but this event is taking place in court under the umbrella of the laws of a so-called moderate government.

The reaction of much of the world reminds me of own feelings when the shuttle exploded or when the terrorists crashed into the World Trade Center — a conflicting feeling of something so wrong that even the evidence right in front of me could not totally erase the thought that I must be missing something; That something so horrible could not possibly be happening. I believe that a large portion of the world sees this the same way; Something that can’t really be happening in our society.

While the societal aspect is pretty clear cut, the political aspects are more conflicted. On the one hand is the fact that the Afghanistan government is legitimate and has every right to determine their own laws. Our own intervention helped to create the power they now wield.

The United States and all other nations would be offended if Afghanistan attempted to dictate how we should run our affairs. However this does not, and should not, preclude those who see this as an outrageous injustice to speak out against it.

President Bush and Secretary Rice have both made statements saying they are troubled by the implications of this case. Some would argue that being troubled is far to mild, but for the time being I am willing to accept the possibility that additional pressure is being applied behind the scenes. Pressure that puts forward a strong argument against execution and in favor of religious liberty while not undermining the sovereignty of their government.

Finally there is the religious component. Two things strike me in this regard.

First it points out the stark contrast between radical Islam and Christianity. I realize that the Christian religion has it’s own history of atrocities carried out under it’s banner. Not to be glossed over, they are not germane to the current argument.

A highly simplified version of the differences in the two religions can be seen in the way they think about conversion. As a Christian, I see my role in converting others as two pronged. One, to live in such a way as to accurately represent my faith and in doing so to attract others. Secondly, I should be unashamed of my faith and willing to gladly tell others what I believe.

Islam, and the radical elements that control much of it today, follows a violent agenda that seeks to impose their religion on others. All others. The brutality that takes place in the name of Islam is the visible, public face of it’s intolerance. However, the actions of a legitimate government and their court system is, in some ways, scarier than a direct physical assault.

More important than all of this is the life of Abdul Rahman. Via Michelle Malkin come several ideas on how to help.

Write the embassy of Afghanistan:

Ambassador Said T. Jawad
Embassy of Afghanistan
2341 Wyoming Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008
info@embassyofafghanistan.org

Contact the State Department:

U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520

Main Switchboard:
202-647-4000

She also point to a rally being organized for Friday 3/24.

Cam Edwards of OnTap e-mailed me yesterday with an excellent idea–a rally for Abdul Rahman outside the Afghan embassy in Washington, D.C. Thanks to the D.C. Freepers, a permit has been submitted to the D.C. police.

[...]

Please join us if you can (and if you can’t, why not organize an event/prayer service/etc. in your own neighborhood?):

Friday March 24
Noon to 1pm
Outside the Afghan Embassy
2341 Wyoming Ave NW.
Washington DC

Our prayers are with Abdul Rahman as this case moves slowly forward. And with those in power who have the ability to make a positive statement about religious freedom and true tolerance.

Linked with the Picnic at basil’s blog and TMH’s Bacon Bits Bacon Break — Under The Radar.