Converted Christian Fears Death by Muslim Parents.

[Wilgrove]

The family is originally from Sri Lanka and emigrated in 2000 to seek medical help for Rifqa, who had lost sight in her right eye when she fell and struck a toy airplane on a couch at home.

You know, I'm doubting the girl's story. If the parents moved to Ohio from Sri Lanka to get their daughter some eye surgery, then what is the likely hood that they'll engage in honor killing?

[Cybach]

Isn't it interesting, though, that most of the people here are ready to jump on the anti-Muslim bandwagon. A few Muslims have practiced "honor killings" (to great amounts of publicity) so it must follow that all Muslims practice "honor killings." And even the anti-religious folk around here have distinctly Christian bias (it's a horrible religion, but it's our horrible religion, as opposed to Islam, which is also a horrible religion, but it's their horrible religion). They'd rather believe what could be a hysterical, attention-craving teenager and what appears to be a Christian cult than what could be a caring, loving Muslim family who are distraught and unhappy about their daughter's seeming betrayal - not of their religion but of them.

It's very subtle racism, yet, but it's more due to the fact - as you said - that every time there is an honour killing, every media outlet instantly jumps onto it and tries to throw a blanket over the whole of Islam.

Please explain this one to me. Considering that of the 1,1 billion followers of Islam. I'd venture to guess that more than half are Caucasians. Or how does this deal with the blue eyed and blond haired Moslems from the Caucasus itself? Or the pale skinned and often fair haired muslims from Albania/Bosnia who are also fairly commonly known to possess green/blue eyes?

This is of course ignoring the technical impossibility of being able to be racist against a religion, or the followers of a religion. Since Islam is not an ethnically restricted religion, but has followers from all races in it's ranks.

[Maurepas]

If we'd just quit with religion in general, this sort of thing wouldnt be a problem...Its not like fictional concepts care all that much...

[Wilgrove]

If we'd just quit with religion in general, this sort of thing wouldnt be a problem...Its not like fictional concepts care all that much...

Yea because it's not like we have other ways of separating ourselves or to try to make ourselves feel superior to another.

I hear this argument all the time. "If it wasn't for religion...blah blah blah." Does anyone actually believe this? Honestly, even if you got rid of Religion, people would just find something else and we'd be back to square one.

This argument phails.

[Maurepas]

If we'd just quit with religion in general, this sort of thing wouldnt be a problem...Its not like fictional concepts care all that much...

Yea because it's not like we have other ways of separating ourselves or to try to make ourselves feel superior to another.

I hear this argument all the time. "If it wasn't for religion...blah blah blah." Does anyone actually believe this? Honestly, even if you got rid of Religion, people would just find something else and we'd be back to square one.

This argument phails.

Oh, Im not saying we'd stop killing eachother, human nature and all that...

But, I dare say there'd be a reduction, especially in "Honor Killings" and the like...

[Wilgrove]

If we'd just quit with religion in general, this sort of thing wouldnt be a problem...Its not like fictional concepts care all that much...

Yea because it's not like we have other ways of separating ourselves or to try to make ourselves feel superior to another.

I hear this argument all the time. "If it wasn't for religion...blah blah blah." Does anyone actually believe this? Honestly, even if you got rid of Religion, people would just find something else and we'd be back to square one.

This argument phails.

Oh, Im not saying we'd stop killing eachother, human nature and all that...

But, I dare say there'd be a reduction, especially in "Honor Killings" and the like...

*looks at Protesters at Town Hall meeting calling for Obama's death because of what some fatass loudmouth said on a raido show.*

Riiiiggghhhhttt.....

If you take away religion, they'll just substitute Honor Killings with something else. Like other poster has said, it's more cultural than religious anyways.

[Maurepas]

*looks at Protesters at Town Hall meeting calling for Obama's death because of what some fatass loudmouth said on a raido show.*

Riiiiggghhhhttt.....

If you take away religion, they'll just substitute Honor Killings with something else. Like other poster has said, it's more cultural than religious anyways.

True, doesnt mean that this couldnt be avoided if they just set aside such idiocies anyway,

[Wilgrove]

*looks at Protesters at Town Hall meeting calling for Obama's death because of what some fatass loudmouth said on a raido show.*

Riiiiggghhhhttt.....

If you take away religion, they'll just substitute Honor Killings with something else. Like other poster has said, it's more cultural than religious anyways.

True, doesnt mean that this couldnt be avoided if they just set aside such idiocies anyway,

You have waayyy too much faith in humanity.

[Parthenon]

Religion of peace.

[Maurepas]

*looks at Protesters at Town Hall meeting calling for Obama's death because of what some fatass loudmouth said on a raido show.*

Riiiiggghhhhttt.....

If you take away religion, they'll just substitute Honor Killings with something else. Like other poster has said, it's more cultural than religious anyways.

True, doesnt mean that this couldnt be avoided if they just set aside such idiocies anyway,

You have waayyy too much faith in humanity.

Probably, really Im sittin here like "Why would that girl go through so much trouble for a guy who may not have even existed 2000 years ago?"

[Gauthier]

Religion of peace.

And after 5 pages, our first official Ebil Mozlemz Rant for this thread.

[Gravlen]

Religion of peace.

And after 5 pages, our first official Ebil Mozlemz Rant for this thread.

Sure he's not just pointing out that she converted to Christianity?

[Gravlen]

Obviously if someone claims they have been threatened with death it requires a full investigation regardless of religion or reason. In this case the first priority must be to ensure the girl's safety and we really are in no position to draw any conclusions from the small amount of information we have.

I completely agree.

Something slightly puzzles me a little though, the girl and the media refer to 'honor killing'. I have usually heard that phrase used in situations where a woman rejects an arranged marriage, dresses in a way her family finds immodest or (more rarely) commits adultery. I have never heard an apostasy killing referred to as an honor killing. Does anyone know if the same phrase is usually used to cover everything?

The term "honour killing" is a vague one. It covers a lot of things, and apostasy might be considered one of them.

Also though I have heard of a few honor killings in the USA for the rejection of marriage , immodesty etc. I had believed that this was a cultural rather than purely religious thing. I don't recall hearing of an apostate killing in the US, does anyone know if one has ever occurred?

The reasons behind so-called honour killings may vary. It could be based on religious ideas, but also societal or cultural perceptions. Indeed, one could argue that what's commonly referred to as "crimes of passion" or "Family tragedies" in the US could be fitted under the wide definition of honour killing.

Apostate killings in the US is something I haven't herad of, but then again, I haven't heard it happening in Sri Lanka either. I don't know if honour killings in Sri Lanka is a problem, or if they don't happen there. My google searches have turned up no information.

[Gravlen]

Obviously if someone claims they have been threatened with death it requires a full investigation regardless of religion or reason. In this case the first priority must be to ensure the girl's safety and we really are in no position to draw any conclusions from the small amount of information we have.
Something slightly puzzles me a little though, the girl and the media refer to 'honor killing'. I have usually heard that phrase used in situations where a woman rejects an arranged marriage, dresses in a way her family finds immodest or (more rarely) commits adultery. I have never heard an apostasy killing referred to as an honor killing. Does anyone know if the same phrase is usually used to cover everything?
Also though I have heard of a few honor killings in the USA for the rejection of marriage , immodesty etc. I had believed that this was a cultural rather than purely religious thing. I don't recall hearing of an apostate killing in the US, does anyone know if one has ever occurred?

My favorite is the TV executive from Buffalo, NY who made a Muslim TV network. The purpose of the network was to broaden the minds of people by exposing them to the greater world of Islam and decrease the number of negative portrayals of Muslims. Then his wife had an affair. So he beheaded her.

So your favourite example is a sad case that's most likely not an example of honour killings? Well, unless you count all fatal spousal abuse cases in the US as honour killings...

Remember that the guy was not particularly devout, had been divorced twice before, and may have suffered from psychiatric problems.

[Gauthier]

So your favourite example is a sad case that's most likely not an example of honour killings? Well, unless you count all fatal spousal abuse cases in the US as honour killings...

Remember that the guy was not particularly devout, had been divorced twice before, and may have suffered from psychiatric problems.

But of course he was a proclaimed Muslim and thus another valid example of the ebils of Islam and its practitioners.

[Krypton-Zod]

This is why I hate religion. Christianity (though mostly in the past) and islam (continueing to this day) are both extremely intolerant, supremacist and murderous.

I find no redeeming qualities in those 'religions'.

[UnhealthyTruthseeker]

This is why I hate religion. Christianity (though mostly in the past) and islam (continueing to this day) are both extremely intolerant, supremacist and murderous.

I find no redeeming qualities in those 'religions'.

They let us smugly make fun of others as being stupid for believing in them.

[Maurepas]

This is why I hate religion. Christianity (though mostly in the past) and islam (continueing to this day) are both extremely intolerant, supremacist and murderous.

I find no redeeming qualities in those 'religions'.

They let us smugly make fun of others as being stupid for believing in them.

I do,

[Anarchic-Marxist]

<snip>
Apperantly the girl's family has gone many generations without even knowing of Jesus.

WUT????? If they where Muslim they know of Jesus.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_in_Islam

[Krypton-Zod]

This is why I hate religion. Christianity (though mostly in the past) and islam (continueing to this day) are both extremely intolerant, supremacist and murderous.

I find no redeeming qualities in those 'religions'.

They let us smugly make fun of others as being stupid for believing in them.

Well, why not?

[Classical Liberal]

Idiots, I see them, walking around like regular people, and some don't even know they're idiots

[UnhealthyTruthseeker]

:palm: Idiots, I see them, walking around like regular people, and some don't even know they're idiots

Who are you referring to?

[Autotelic]

Both sides to need to be investigated. The #1 priority should be both the physical AND mental well-being of the child. She has the right to convert, the state has the right to protect her from death, and the parents have the right to protect her from any brainwashing. Since the family knew she had a Bible and has proselytized at her school, I believe that if they were to be radical enough to engage in an honor killing, they would have done so way before now.

When I first heard of this story, of course I was happy the girl was away from her parents and a possible fate of death. Upon further review, I just want to make sure ALL bases are covered and that the absolute truth from all sides is reveled. I don't want to be quick to judge the parents; only God knows what is in all our hearts. It is going to take time to sort everything out. I wouldn't just give the girl back to her parents, don't get me wrong; but both caution and objectivity is needed in this case.

[Gravlen]

“When my dad found out [about her conversion to Christianity], phone calls from the Muslim community started coming in with e-mails that confronted me.

“You guys don’t understand,” Rifqa said. “Islam is very different than you guys think. They have to kill me. My blood is now halal, which means that because I am now a Christian, I’m from a Muslim background, it’s an honor.

[Gauthier]

“When my dad found out [about her conversion to Christianity], phone calls from the Muslim community started coming in with e-mails that confronted me.

“You guys don’t understand,” Rifqa said. “Islam is very different than you guys think. They have to kill me. My blood is now halal, which means that because I am now a Christian, I’m from a Muslim background, it’s an honor.

The EMRs should be spiking up on this thread now.