Aohell

So... the Taliban's Not in Charge?

Then why is Abdul Rahman about to be sentenced to death for converting to Christianity?

Yes, Islam gets a bad reputation in the press from people who don't understand it, but this sort of thing is a matter of a religion using state-approved violence to support itself.

The trial is in the heart of the cleaned-up part of Afghanistan, the capital city, Kabul. That's where Karzai is supposed to be working his magic at transforming Afghan society. He's supposed to be getting rid of all that Taliban stuff about strict punishments for minor infractions and so on. So why is this trial of religion happening?

Yes, I know Islamic law, Sharia, specifies death as a punishment for converting from Islam.One specific reference is in the Hadith, Volume 4, Book 52, number 250, which contains: "No doubt, I would have killed them, for the Prophet said, 'If somebody (a Muslim) discards his religion, kill him.' "

But just because the religion demands death for converts does not mean the state must allow it to happen. In the US, religious belief is unrestricted. Religious practice, however, cannot cross certain bounds. When the Mormons practiced polygamy, the US Supreme Court said they could believe in it, but not practice it in their decision denying them a First Amendment exemption from laws forbidding polygamy. That church has since gotten along fine without polygamy as a practice within its membership.

Afghanistan could use a little restriction on religious practice right now. So an Islamic court believes Mr. Rahman should die for converting to Christianity. It doesn't mean the state should approve of that religious practice. If it does, then what difference is it from the Taliban? Yes, I know many Taliban just trimmed their beards and changed hats when the Northern Alliance rolled through, but weren't they also supposed to have changed their minds in Mr. Bush's adventure to build democracy there?

... or was that all just a ruse to build a pipeline and bring back the heroin trade under US intelligence services' control?

There's one way to find out. If Mr. Bush intervenes on behalf of Mr. Rahman, then the US really is trying to help out. If not, then it's all a load of hypocrisy.

In the name of God, the Merciful, the Just, let Mr. Rahman live.