Is death for blasphemy something we want?

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marco
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Is death for blasphemy something we want?

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Post by marco »

I have just read the awful story of a simple Christian woman, Asia Bibi. who was picking berries in her Pakistani village along with a group of Muslim women. Asked to fetch water, she did and found a cup which she used to extract some water from the vessel to take a drink herself. The Muslim women told her it was wrong for her as a Christian to drink from the same vessel as they drank from and when they attacked her beliefs she defended herself saying Jesus had died for humanity but what had Muhammad done? Blasphemy, of course and she was sentenced to be hanged. Appeals were in vain. She's been in prison for years and a huge reward was offered by a cleric to anyone who would kill her. Two people who defended her have been murdered. Demonstrators have demanded she be hanged or beheaded. Her prison life is a nightmare, and she is in constant danger of being killed if not legally then by the inmates.


Is it ever right to kill people for blasphemy?
Since the majority agree with this sentence, is the fault to be found in Islam itself?

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Re: Is death for blasphemy something we want?

Post #2

Post by Muslim2016 »

[Replying to post 1 by marco]

No fault in Islam. The fault is with the Pakistani Legislation for allowing people to hide behind blasphemy laws to settle scores. similar things happen in India, where Hindus can claim a Muslim killed a missing cow for beef. Mob mentality sets in and people have been known to be killed.

Education and tolerance is what's needed.

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Re: Is death for blasphemy something we want?

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Post by Talishi »

Muslim2016 wrote: No fault in Islam. The fault is with the Pakistani Legislation for allowing people to hide behind blasphemy laws to settle scores. similar things happen in India, where Hindus can claim a Muslim killed a missing cow for beef. Mob mentality sets in and people have been known to be killed.
That's why I find Arthur C. Clarke's novel 3001: The Final Odyssey so hopeful. Astronaut Frank Poole, lost in 2001, is resurrected a thousand years later, is shown many wonders, sometimes says, "God that's amazing" and his hosts wince like he just uttered the n-word or something.
Thank you for playing Debating Christianity & Religion!

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Re: Is death for blasphemy something we want?

Post #4

Post by Wootah »

[Replying to post 2 by Muslim2016]

You cant find any Koranic verses that might be causing that problem?
Proverbs 18:17 The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.

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marco
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Re: Is death for blasphemy something we want?

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Muslim2016 wrote: [Replying to post 1 by marco]

No fault in Islam. The fault is with the Pakistani Legislation for allowing people to hide behind blasphemy laws to settle scores. similar things happen in India, where Hindus can claim a Muslim killed a missing cow for beef. Mob mentality sets in and people have been known to be killed.

Education and tolerance is what's needed.
That's a good answer. However, a Muslim cleric offered a huge amount of money for the woman to be killed. He is presumably respected in his clerical office. The motivation behind the complaint is not important; the fact that BLASPHEMY is punishable by death is highly relevant and worrying. Education and tolerance are splendid - but removing harsh punishments for religious offences is also necessary.

You did not express an opinion on whether blasphemy should be punished.

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Re: Is death for blasphemy something we want?

Post #6

Post by Muslim2016 »

[Replying to post 4 by Wootah]

No, nor is there anything in the Hadiths. There's an article here dealing with the issue in Pakistan:

http://www.islamicity.org/4274/is-blasp ... -in-islam/

Peace

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Re: Is death for blasphemy something we want?

Post #7

Post by Muslim2016 »

[Replying to post 5 by marco]

You are spot on, it's all about abuse of power and influence.

Peace

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Re: Is death for blasphemy something we want?

Post #8

Post by marco »

Muslim2016 wrote: [Replying to post 5 by marco]

You are spot on, it's all about abuse of power and influence.

Peace
And peace to you. You show a most enlightened approach, one that I cannot disagree with. Sadly, vast numbers who share your faith see things differently and their interpretation of the Koran is less peace-loving. Take the verse from the Surah of The Cow:
191. And kill them wherever you find them .....

Yes, I know it says much more, but there are many verses in the Koran that SEEM to encourage violence. This is true of the Bible, also.

My position is to place people first; show people kindness and if God wishes to play any part, he has the vast power to do so, although he seems not to get involved, even when an interpretation is required or people need his help. Basically, good people express fine sentiments and sometimes they are at odds with the very book one should rely on for good counsel. Apostates from Islam, as once was the case with Christianity, walk in danger of the lives in many countries. It is small consolation to these brave people that their oppressors have taken an invalid interpretation of the Koran; it would seem that for many, this interpretation is a correct one.

I am happy that blasphemy is no longer given a death sentence in Christian lands but I would also prefer that, in Muslim countries, blasphemy carried no penalties. The opinion expressed in your example would not go down well in Saudi Arabia, Iran or even Egypt. But it is a good opinion.

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