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September 06, 2010
The faith of his fathers
Edward N. Luttwak, "President Apostate?" May 12, 2008. While in the United States, this counts as a strictly academic question. I will be interesting to see what advantages and disadvantages the President may encounter in his future diplomatic efforts.
As the son of the Muslim father, Senator Obama was born a Muslim under Muslim law as it is universally understood. It makes no difference that, as Senator Obama has written, his father said he renounced his religion. Likewise, under Muslim law based on the Koran his mother’s Christian background is irrelevant.
Of course, as most Americans understand it, Senator Obama is not a Muslim. He chose to become a Christian, and indeed has written convincingly to explain how he arrived at his choice and how important his Christian faith is to him.
His conversion, however, was a crime in Muslim eyes; it is “irtidad” or “ridda,” usually translated from the Arabic as “apostasy,” but with connotations of rebellion and treason. Indeed, it is the worst of all crimes that a Muslim can commit, worse than murder (which the victim’s family may choose to forgive).
Of course, as most Americans understand it, Senator Obama is not a Muslim. He chose to become a Christian, and indeed has written convincingly to explain how he arrived at his choice and how important his Christian faith is to him.
His conversion, however, was a crime in Muslim eyes; it is “irtidad” or “ridda,” usually translated from the Arabic as “apostasy,” but with connotations of rebellion and treason. Indeed, it is the worst of all crimes that a Muslim can commit, worse than murder (which the victim’s family may choose to forgive).
Posted by Ghost of a flea at September 6, 2010 09:08 AM
Comments
Juan Cole. That's a name I haven't heard in ages.
Posted by: rick mcginnis ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.ghostofaflea.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at September 6, 2010 12:11 PM
They put him back on the shelf when a Democrat is in office.
Posted by: Ghost of a flea at September 6, 2010 12:17 PM
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