A Boston Tea Party …(You Can Run)

In the opening episode of the “Sopranos” this year one of Tony’s underlings inherits a couple million dollars and asks Tony if he could retire from the “family” and move his family to their favorite place in Florida. Tony reminds him that once you are in the family you are in for life. He tells him there is no such thing as retiring from the m.o.b. Finding no way out the man eventually commits suicide hoping his wife and children will then move to their dream home in Florida.

The case of Abdul Rahman is very similar to what this mob member faced. Abdul Rahman is an Afghan citizen who is on trial for converting to Christianity. He was facing execution until world pressure stayed his sentence over the weekend. It seems the courts in Afghanistan are saying he is mentally insane and therefore cannot stand trial for such a terrible act. This action by the court is an out for the so-called newly democratic country of Afghanistan where the national religion is Islam. A religion which says once a Muslim always a Muslim.

I am all for creating Democratic societies in the Middle East. The white elephant in the room is the Islamic religion as it exists in today’s Middle East. Extreme Islam favored by the peoples of this area is not tolerant enough to exist with Democratic principles. Mr. Rahman’s life has only been saved because of selective international outrage over his potential execution. The indignation was not as unanimous as I would have hoped. President Bush and Secretary of State Rice tempered their remarks over the weekend. I would have preferred to hear a stricter scolding of Afghanistan something to the effect of “don’t you dare execute this man”. While the administration’s remarks were not as harsh and demanding as I would have hoped, I did not see any anger from those on the left. I guess we should not be surprised.

Killing a man because he decides to become a Christian show us how far Democracy has to go in the Middle East. It is perfect evidence that more pressure needs to be applied to religious reform and not just political. It is after all the extremism of Islam as a religion that has created the world in which we now live. While Mr. Rahman’s life may have been sparred, we must wonder for how long. The government may not execute him but private Muslim citizens may. It is reported today that Mr. Rahman is asking for asylum. It seems another m.o.b. rule now applies, “you can run but you can’t hide”. I hope the Christian world comes to this man’s rescue.