Ronald Thomas Smith was most likely killed simply for the crime of being an Infidel in Benghazi, but it is also possible that he was murdered for proselytizing. Daphne Bamburg’s statement certainly gives the impression that he was trying to convert Muslims to Christianity: “Ronnie’s greatest desire was for peace and prosperity in Libya and for the people of Libya to have the joy of knowing God through Christ.” But under Islamic law, non-Muslims are forbidden to lead Muslims away from Islam, on pain of death for both the proselytizer and the convert.
“American killed in Benghazi remembered as ‘much loved teacher,'” from the Associated Press, December 6 (thanks to EH):
TRIPOLI, Libya — An American chemistry teacher shot to death while jogging in Benghazi was looking forward to his first Christmas in the United States with his wife and toddler son.
Ronald Thomas Smith II shared his excitement with his students, and sent his wife and child home while he stayed in Libya a few more weeks to help the young people in his class complete their end-of-semester exams.
His death on Thursday shattered those dreams and highlighted the tenuous security in the eastern Libyan city where a U.S. ambassador and three other Americans were killed last year….
Smith, 33, left Austin, Texas — where he earned a master’s degree in chemistry in 2006 from the University of Texas– about 18 months ago to teach at Benghazi’s International School, a Libyan-owned facility that follows a British curriculum, according to the church where he and his wife were active.
“Ronnie’s greatest desire was for peace and prosperity in Libya and for the people of Libya to have the joy of knowing God through Christ,” Daphne Bamburg, executive pastor of operations at the Austin Stone Community Church said in an emailed statement….