Update III
CaNN has an excellent compilation of articles and blogs following Abdul’s plight. Go read it. (shoo!)

Update II
Afghan Christian Still in Danger

The Dawn Patrol

Dawn makes a good point. It’s so good, in fact, there’s nothing for me to say. Here’s an excerpt, then go read the rest.

A few weeks ago, the Virginia Law Web site published an interview with New York Law School Professor Michael Perlin on this very subject: “Human Rights Abuses in Mental Institutions Common Worldwide, Perlin Says.” Here are some highlights from that article which, although they were written before the Rahman case, are eerily relevant today:

[...]

Placing dissidents in psychiatric hospitals rather than prisons served three points: it avoided the already limited procedural safeguards of a criminal trial, stigmatized people to subordinate them, and confined dissenters indefinitely. By 1989 conditions had begun to improve in the Soviet Union, according to Perlin, but tools of coercive psychiatry still were used in what some call the “criminalization of dissent.” And this practice was not limited to Russia; the expression of political opinions was perceived as delusional throughout the Soviet block.

Update: Literally as I write this post, I have to make an update. It seems the pressure on the Afghan government to release Rahman has become unbearable. To save face, and as an excuse to release the guy, they’re claiming that Abdul Rahman just might be crazy.

“We think he could be mad. He is not a normal person. He doesn’t talk like a normal person,” he told The Associated Press.

Well, I suppose Abdul might just sound crazy to a group of people who threaten to rip to pieces anyone who follows Christ. After all, the guy was quoted as saying “I believe in Jesus”. That’s scary stuff.

Hat Tip to the Big Pharoah, who writes “If that what will take to release the guy then yes, the guy is crazy, he’s nuts, now release the poor soul.”

By the way, if you’re interested in reading what Muslims are saying about Rahman, take a gander at this post.

The Fate of an Afghan Christian: Abdul Rahman

Most likely you’ve already heard or read about Abdul Rahman, a Muslim man who decided to become a Christ follower while working in Germany. “I believe in the Holy Spirit. I believe in Christ. And I am a Christian”, says Rahman.

For standing with Jesus, and not renouncing Him publicly, the new government of Afghanistan has sentenced this 41 year old father of two to death. Reports Michelle Malkin,

“The Tribune reported that prosecutor Abdul Wasi demanded Rahman’s repentance and called him a traitor: “He is known as a microbe in society, and he should be cut off and removed from the rest of Muslim society and should be killed.” The country’s attorney general says Rahman should be hung. The judge handling the case, who has been photographed wielding Rahman’s Bible as evidence against him, threatens: “If he doesn’t regret his conversion, the punishment will be enforced on him. And the punishment is death.”‘

While the Afghan government might be thirsting for his blood, Jesus offers Abdul a blessing.

“God bleses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were also persecuted in this same way.” (*)

And again, Later on, Jesus offers some comfort to his followers who are trying to teach to the people, but instead of finding “open-mindedness” and “tolerance”, they experience persecution and hatred. Here’s what he had to say:

“When the world hates you, remember it hated me before it hated you. The world would love you if you belonged to it, but you don’t. I chose you to come out of the world, and so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? `A servant is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you! The people of the world will hate you because you belong to me, for they don’t know God who sent me. They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. Anyone who hates me hates my Father, too. If I hadn’t done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be counted guilty. But as it is, they saw all that I did and yet hated both of us–me and my Father. This has fulfilled what the Scriptures said: `They hated me without cause.’” (*)

In the mean time, Dawn Eden is very disappointed in our prez for not taking a stand on behalf of Abdul. She points out that the same day this news was breaking over here in the U.S., the President was out touting the Afghan “success story”, specifically highlighting their so-called, new “freedom of religion”. Uh… hello? Mr. President? This man’s only crime is that he chose to follow Jesus instead of Muhammad.

If you’d like to get involved, the most effective thing you can do is pray. While you’re at it, don’t forget to mention the millions of other persecuted Christians around the world. After you’re done talking to God about it, call up the president and give him an earful. (202-456-1111)

More info at La Shawn’s Corner.
Read Robert Spencer too.