Have you been following this story about the runaway teen convert to Christianity whose Muslim family has allegedly threatened to kill her? The case is quite complex. Not only am I interested in learning the outcome, I'm curious to see how the case will be handled.
Four years ago, after an "incredible encounter with Jesus," Fathima Rifqa Bary secretly converted to Christianity. She kept her salvation experience hidden from Muslim parents, Mohamed and Aysha Bary, until recently when friends from her family's mosque saw the girl's Facebook postings and told Bary and his wife about their daughter's Christian faith.
According to reports, 17-year-old Rifqa ran away from home when she began to fear for her life, stating that her mother insisted she renounce her Christian beliefs and her father had threatened to kill her. The teen's parents and brother, Rilvan, have all denied the accusations.
Last month Rifqa left her family in Columbus, Ohio, taking a bus to Florida, where she stayed with Pastor Blake Lorenz of Global Revolution Church in Orlando. Rifqa met the minister and his wife through a Facebook prayer group.
Currently, the Barys are trying to regain custody of their daughter. They say she has been "brainwashed" and "coached" by Pastor Lorenz. At a Florida hearing last Monday, the girl was mandated to a group home with the Florida Department of Children and Families until Aug. 21, the date of her next hearing.
With two states involved, and the fact that she's a minor and not a U.S. citizen, Rifqa's case is complicated, to say the least. She is being represented by an attorney with the Alliance Defense Fund, a group that aggressively defends religious freedoms.
If you've been following the case, what do you think? How will the courts determine who is telling the truth? What if the girl's life truly is in danger, but the Florida judge decides to send her home? Should she then submit to her parent's authority and denounce her faith? Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below.
GOD SAYS IN HIS WORD THAT IF WE PUT “ALL” OUR TRUST IN HIM, HE WILL NEVER LEAVE NOR FORSAKE US,AS WE ARE HIS CHILDREN, WHEN CHRIST LIVES IN OUR HEARTS, GOD PROTECT HIS CHILDREN NO MATTER THE SITUATION,HIS DESIRE WILL BE DONE,AMEN.
My heart goes out to this young woman – the good news is that she will soon be 18 and able to make her own decisions – like becoming an American citizen and not having to return to a family that would punish her. Tough situation. But as Sammy said – God will protect her in all ways.
This “child” is being threatened by what is called an “honour killing.” She, in the Eyes of Islam, has committed the greatest of all crimes. Even looking at a Christian man is considered a death penalty offense, often carried out by a father or brother. In their own countries (i.e., Jordan, Iran…) she would be stabbed to death by a male member of her family immediately. The father, or more often the underage brother, the one assigned to imprison her by watching nearly every move in her life, is expected to get a lessor sentence – typically 3 months, most of which he is free. Judges APPLAUDE the killing. They do not consider it murder.
Christians in countries like Jordan ARE NOT EXCEPTIONS to honour killings. They do the very same thing and get away with it. For those in this country that do not understand that their religious freedom is dependent on a separation of church and state should read about these types of murders. They occur precisely because law is based on a religious document and not based on experience and logic. If this young woman returns to her family she will “disappear” soon enough and we, as Americans, will not be able to prosecute. She will die a horrible death because we did not pay attention – because we did not protect her.
I think that’s dumb if she wants to convert she should be able to know matter what her parents can’t tell her if she can or can’t . She is a teen almost a adult you need to let her found out for herself what’s right or wrong. I know there her parents but they wont be here forever just like everyone else and they can’t help her if there not here so let her think for herself for once gosh people.
It’s easy to condemn this when you’re not involved. Brainwashing is real and happens all the time. If it wasn’t Christianity, but a less common religion, the parents might seem justified.
Oops, I missed the fearing for her life part. Of course that’s never justified.