Iran to Punish Apostasy with Death

Apostasy -- or the formal renunciation of religion (Islam) -- is already punishable in Iran with death. But now, Iran wants to make the death penalty for apostasy part of the penal code.

The European Union is concerned and has asked Iran to reconsider.

The European Union this week sent a letter to authorities in Iran expressing its concern over a proposed change to the penal code that would make apostasy punishable by death.

The EU is responding to news that the Islamic Republic is planning to subject "apostasy, heresy and witchcraft" to the Hudud -- the body of fixed punishments assigned to crimes that are considered violations of the "claims of God."

Other Hadud crimes include alcohol consumption, theft, highway robbery and illegal sexual intercourse.

On a personal note, here in the West we keep talking about how "1984" and "Big Brother" are creeping up on us, but compared to some Muslim countries I don't think we have much to worry about!

As a matter of fact even Communism seems rather tame when compared with some of these Imams and Ayatollahs!

Allan W Janssen is the author of the book The Plain Truth About God (What the mainstream religions don't want you to know!) and is available at the web site www.God-101.com

Visit the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com