(This essay is not about the religion of Islam.  I know too many people this religion has helped.  Keep in mind, there are EXTREMIST in almost every religion.)

I have always known that I am a spiritual being; I have never doubted this.  I am a strong woman steadfast in my beliefs, yet I will support and  protect the rights of others to believe in the religion of their choice.

I do not engage in any discussion where the other person is not willing to take a look at other points of view.  If they have tunnel vision and are empathic that their religion is the only choice, then there is no discussion to be had.

The subject of religion is taboo in many circles.  Some people avoid it as it can bring up arguments.  I’ve spent a lot of time discussing religion with a lot of different people throughout my life.  The subject first came up in my household where neither parent followed a particular religion so they allowed me to make my own personal choice.  Then my friends and I would compare our thoughts on our personal religious choices, but as we became teenagers we started to question not only authority, but organized religion.

I’ve never tried to change someone’s beliefs.  I’ve never tried to convert someone away from their religion.  In fact, when I find a sane person who is happy in life and helps others as much as they can, I find that comforting no matter what their religion.

I have been personally attacked for my religious beliefs and it’s quite unsettling because I’ve never harmed anyone, in fact I do my best to help wherever I can.  And to be honest, it’s unsettling for about two minutes and then I remember, we live in a country where we have freedom of religion.  The fact that someone thinks they have the right to undermine someone’s religion is almost laughable…that is until I read about the oppression that still exists in other countries.

Have you read any of the articles about Meriam Yehya Ibrahim?  (Google her name if you have not).  I thought the first headline I saw was a little sensational, “Islamic court permits pregnant woman to give birth before she is hanged.”  Are you kidding me?  She has been tried and sentenced to hang for apostasy (a total desertion of or departure from one’s religion, principles, party, cause, etc.).  She is 27 years old, married a Christian, and is eight months pregnant.  She is also faces a sentences of flogging of 100 lashes for adultery on the grounds that her marriage to a Christian man from South Sudan is considered void under Islamic law.

Amnesty International and Western embassies are expressing outrage.  CNN, Time, NBC, ABC, and other agencies have been covering this story.  The White House released this statement the day of her sentencing on Thursday, May 15, 2014:

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on the Sentencing of Meriam Yahya Ibrahim Ishag in Sudan

Today in Sudan, Meriam Yahya Ibrahim Ishag was sentenced to be flogged for adultery and to be hanged to death for apostasy because she married a Christian man.  We strongly condemn this sentence and urge the Government of Sudan to meet its obligations under international human rights law.  We call on the Government of Sudan to respect Ms. Ishag’s right to freedom of religion, a universal human right enshrined in Sudan’s own 2005 Constitution as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. 

Since 1999, Sudan has been designated as a Country of Particular Concern for its ongoing, egregious, and systematic violations of religious freedom.  We continue to urge Sudan to fulfill its constitutional promise of religious freedom, and to respect the fundamental freedoms and universal human rights of all its people. 

I support the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  I support religious freedom of choice.  I condemn this sentence.  I am grateful I have a choice, and I am grateful I have a voice.

(Posted June 23:  I would like to follow up on the essay I wrote last month on Religious Rights.)

It is a bittersweet victory today:

I rejoice in the fact that Meriam Yehya Ibrahim has been freed. An appeals court found that an initial judgement against her was faulty.

But while the judgement was faulty because the facts were inaccurate, it is still an atrocity that a person can be put to death for apostasy (a total desertion of or departure from one’s religion, principles, party, cause, etc.).