Archive for the ‘conversion’ Category

Australians take for granted the right to hold religious beliefs and to act on those beliefs.  But for many around the world, such rights are under constant threat. Authorities in Uzbekistan recently sentenced Tohar Haydarov to ten years in jail on drugs charges, after he allegedly refused to renounce his Christian faith. Local Baptists insist [...]

When conversion fractures families

Posted: March 4, 2010 by rodbenson in Islam, conversion, religious freedom

Isn’t it tragic when religious belief divides families and communities?  Often there is acrimony, and shame, and more than a little self-righteousness on the part of both parties. Last year, Sri Lankan teenager Rifqa Bary fled her parents’ home for Florida, alleging persecution for having converted from Islam to Christianity.  Her parents denied the claim, [...]