RENOUNCE YOUR FAITH OR BE CRUCIFIED

Death by crucifixion has returned. The same way Jesus died on the cross. Generally in Islamic countries.

Countries primarily involved are Saudi Arabia, Burma, Iran, Sudan, Syria, Egypt, and Vietnam. Christians are called upon to renounce their faith. If they do not, they are generally crucified. Hung on a cross. This is 2014 AD. It is difficult to believe such a scenario exists.

Islamics in many countries want everyone to be of their faith. They give the Catholic/Protestant the choice. Renounce your God, accept our God. Or die!

Saudi Arabia has reputedly been our friend for many years. Two things have always bothered me. Why were most of the men who flew the planes into the Twin Towers on 9/11 Saudi Arabian citizens? If the Saudis are our friends, why have they been taking advantage of us at the gas pumps for years? 

My research indicates Saudi Arabia is the most religiously restricted nation on earth. They are the leaders when it comes to executions by crucifixion. Freedom of religion does not see the light of day in Saudi Arabia. There is neither a Christian nor non Muslim house of worship in all of Saudi Arabia.

Skipping over to Vietnam, Catholics and Protestants are discriminated against. Forced renunciations of faith are commonplace. The Vietnamese are so far out that they even have a religious police force.

The Koran prescribes three forms of execution: beheading, hanging, and crucifixion. Which is to be used in a particular case appears to be at the policy of the government and/or the nature of the crime involved. Consistency is lacking. Today hung, tomorrow beheaded, another day crucified. With regard to failure to renounce one's religion and accept Islams, crucifixion is frequently used.

There is an historical trend with regard to death by crucifixion.There was Jesus Christ. Crucifixion was popular with the Romans. This is further evident with the execution of 6,000 of Spartacus' men by the Romans. Hung on both sides of the Appian way between Capua and Rome.

Modern day crucifixions include the Germans crucifying a Canadian soldier in World War I, the Germans crucifying numerous Jews at Dachau during World War II, the Japanese frequently crucifying prisoners of war during World War II.

Modern day laws include crucifixion as a punishment. Iran's Islamic Criminal Law does so for certain crimes. Crucifixion is part of Sudan's Penal code.

As recently as 2013, Saudi Arabia crucified a man for armed robbery for three days. Islamic law has a provision that if a person survives three days on the cross, that person is allowed to live.

Crucifixions following beheading are commonplace in Syria. The individual is beheaded first. Then the head is resewed onto the body. The deceased is then left to hang on a cross for several days for deterrent purposes.

Recently in Damascus, a young boy was told to renounce his faith or be crucified. He was Christian. He refused. He was hung on a cross till dead. Compounding the event, his father was made to watch his son's crucifixion. Following which the father was killed.

There is the recent story of a 27 year old pregnant Sudanese woman who was sentenced to death for refusing to renounce her Christian faith. She was 8 months pregnant.

The woman was raised Christian. She was raised by her Christian mother. Her father was Muslim. He abandoned mother and child early on. She never knew her father. Islamic law mandates a female is of the father's religion. No exceptions. The court claimed she had to give up Christianity and return to her Muslim heritage or die.

She chose death.

She also was sentenced to receive 100 lashes. The court determined she was guilty of adultery. Under Islamic law, a woman who has sex with a non-Muslim is deemed an adulteress. The woman had sex with her Christian husband

The woman has a 20 month old child. She and the child are in jail. The court delayed her execution 2 years so she can  give birth to the child she is carrying, breast feed and otherwise nurture the baby when born, and care for the 20 month old. Jail conditions are not the best. Squalor and bugs. The mother is experiencing a difficult pregnancy. Her 20 month old is always sick.

The woman's execution is to be by hanging.

I find these renounce your religion or die cases absolutely amazing in this day and age. It reminds me of the early Christians being fed to the lions in the Coliseum for refusing to give up their God. Martyrs they were. Martyrs they are today, those being executed via crucifixion or otherwise for their faith.

My Catholic education taught me that a martyr, one who dies for the faith, will immediately see the face of God. I never thought the days of Christ would return in my life time. However, here they are. Here it is. Barbarism at its worst!