Religion and Ethics and Health BBS

Religion and Ethics and Health BBS
[ Religion and Ethics and Health BBS ]

In modern times, only Islam enforces the death penalty for apostacy.

Posted by DFM on July 7, 2026, 1:05 pm

These laws are enforced or supported by non-state extremist groups and within the legal systems of roughly a dozen conservative Muslim-majority countries.

While historical capital punishment for leaving a faith existed in several major world religions, the specific application to modern apostates is primarily rooted in traditional Islamic jurisprudence (Shari'ah) derived from specific hadith (recorded sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad).

The application varies significantly:State Sanctioned Laws: At least 10 countries—including Afghanistan, Iran, Mauritania, and Saudi Arabia—have laws that can punish apostasy with execution, imprisonment, or fines.

Differing Islamic Sects: Certain interpretations (such as the Ja'fari or Hanafi schools of thought) offer differing guidelines, sometimes sparing women from execution or allowing periods of time to repent. Many progressive Muslims and reformist scholars argue that execution for apostasy violates Quranic principles of religious freedom, while other traditions and sects (like the Ahmadiyya) strictly teach that there is no earthly punishment for leaving the faith.

Vigilante Justice: Even in some countries where the state does not officially impose a death penalty, conservative groups or individuals may take matters into their own hands, targeting those perceived to have abandoned the religion.

While other religions such as Christianity contain historical texts commanding severe punishments for disbelievers (such as in Deuteronomy 13:6–10), these faiths no longer enforce capital punishment for apostasy in the modern era.

Kinda reminds me of 1'st century Judaism

Posted by BornToFarm on July 8, 2026, 11:05 am, in reply to "In modern times, only Islam enforces the death penalty for apostacy."

Like Muslims in the example, Judaism was the majority religion in and around Jerusalem in a good part of the first century. They put to death people who embraced the Savior, Jesus Christ, starting with the stoning of Stephen. When Rome destroyed their temple and city in AD 70, they were no longer the majority and couldn't do that.

It is also happening in India today with Hindus. They persecute and sometimes kill Muslims and Christians. They have laws against conversion. When people of another faith help out locals, they are suspect of doing it with intent to convert.

The Roman church did that to early Protestants when they could. Protestants and Catholics did that to Anabaptists because they left for a different faith.

One of the things they all have in common is that the state and the religion are one. When a religion has the power of the sword, then they take that sword and go after people of other faiths.

During the Rabbinic Period, the Rabbis CANCELLED all death penalties except for pre-meditated murder

Posted by DFM on July 8, 2026, 2:13 pm, in reply to "Kinda reminds me of 1'st century Judaism"

But it still happened....when they were in the majority

Posted by BornToFarm on July 9, 2026, 8:32 am, in reply to "During the Rabbinic Period, the Rabbis CANCELLED all death penalties except for pre-meditated murder"

Judaism, like Christianity, moved into the Modern World. Christians used to burn heretics.

Posted by DFM on July 9, 2026, 10:20 am, in reply to "But it still happened....when they were in the majority"

Judaism and Christianity became more humane and decent. Islam NEVER DID.

That only quit happening when the religion didn't run the state and

Posted by BornToFarm on July 9, 2026, 3:30 pm, in reply to "Judaism, like Christianity, moved into the Modern World. Christians used to burn heretics."

the state didn't run the religion.

All governments are made of fallen people who want to stay in power.

It reminds me that Islam demands that I die for Allah but my

Posted by observer on July 8, 2026, 11:43 am, in reply to "Kinda reminds me of 1'st century Judaism"

faith is based on the fact that Jesus died for me.

Good religions can attract people to their faith without using threats.

Posted by Ken C on July 7, 2026, 10:52 pm, in reply to "In modern times, only Islam enforces the death penalty for apostacy."

Maybe they should try doing more good and helping their believers more, then people would want to stay.

It is not to attract NEW members, but to prevent OLD members from leaving.

Posted by DFM on July 7, 2026, 11:44 pm, in reply to "Good religions can attract people to their faith without using threats. "

By that measure North Korea fits the description.

Posted by GOG on July 8, 2026, 6:38 am, in reply to "It is not to attract NEW members, but to prevent OLD members from leaving."

Humanity comeuppance is nigh.

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[ Religion and Ethics and Health BBS ]