An Iranian emigre who converted to Christianity has received asylum in Germany by convincing Germany courts that he would be persecuted in his homeland. After all, it is against Islamic law to convert to another religion from Islam. This from Expatica, with thanks to Susan:
A court in Germany has upheld the right to political asylum granted to a Muslim who converted to Christianity after coming to this country.The federal administrative court in Leipzig said Tuesday the defendant, a political refugee from Iran, could conceivably face persecution in his native country as a result of having renounced Islam.
The case was seen as setting a precedent for other refugees seeking political asylum in Germany.
The judge noted that a Moslem man's decision to join and regularly attend a Christian church was tangible proof of religious convictions potentially at variance with policies of a conservative Islamic republic.
If the man is a Christian - wonderful.....but I have also read that playing the role of a Christian convert is the new option for potential Jihadis to enter into the West using "political asylum" as a ruse to by pass tougher entry requirements.
Remember that it is perfectly legitimate for a Muslim to lie to a non-believer to further the Muslim cause.....this could be such a case (lying about the conversion) and using Western law to his benefit (being allowed to remain in Germany) but to the West's detriment.
Give him a Christmas ham.
Yep, that ham is where the rubber meets the road. If he can chow down a good ol' fashioned ham sandwich, followed by some pig souse as a snack, and bacon and eggs for breakfast, then maybe.
Being in Germany, it should not be a problem getting "ham". "Schinken uber alles!"
jihan
The only problem with the "ham" line would be that some Messianic Christians also refrain from eating pork. Let's be wise and loving in what we say in our comments ...
Why do we assume that this fellow is not on the level? In fact there is a small but growing network of Iranian Christian churches in both Europe and America. Germany and The Netherlands have several of these churches. Do a Google search on "Iranian Christian Churches" and see what comes up.
To assume the man may not be on the level is natural given the treacherous ideals set forth in the Quran. However, it would be equally assumptive to simply accept his conversion as true without seeing evidence of it, and it could be a far costlier mistake if proven wrong.
I believe a wise standpoint would be to do as the underground church in China does: examine his life for fruit of his new found faith before granting him the benefits of fellowship (asylum in this case).
A decision to join and attend a church is not fruit, nor is eating ham. Bottom line, is this man sharing his new found faith with others and making disciples? Those who are willing to leave their family and country behind for Christ will always stand out from the nominal "God-fearers" who call themselves Christians but live like the devil.
In the same way many could die for letting one false convert who is a government spy into the Chinese church, the same could be true of this man...except it may very well be more than just the Christians he is among that pay the price.