Algeria Forbids Efforts to Convert Its Muslims

[Inland]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/06/world/africa/06algeria.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Algeria Forbids Efforts to Convert Its Muslims
By REUTERS
Published: April 6, 2006
ALGIERS, April 5 (Reuters) — Algeria has passed a law prohibiting efforts to convert Muslims to another religion, the country's chief of religious affairs said on Wednesday. The move seems aimed at maintaining stability after the Islamist violence that had plagued the country for a decade.

Muhammad Aissa, director of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, told the state radio network that the measure, passed on March 20, was prompted by the activities of Christian evangelists, particularly in the restive ethnic Berber region of Kabylie.

"We found out that in addition to Islam, Christianity has also been used as a tool to destabilize the country during the last bloody decade," Mr. Aissa said.
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[David__77]

1. I would only support this IF...

...evangelization by ALL religions were prohibited. And with the destructive force of religion in today's world, it's not an unreasonable proposition. Furthermore, it would only be fair to put the same onus on all sects. People should have the right to believe or not to believe, but I'm not certain they should have the right to endlessly promote war and social aggression.

[Sirveri]

2. This makes perfect sense.

In Islam the greatest crime one can commit is to turn away from Allah by converting. Thus there signifigant negative attitude towards it. They consider it akin to someone who was walking down the correct path being swindled by a highway man and then mugged and murdered for his soul. It conflicts with my personal belief for freedom of religion and freedom of choice, but I can understand where a more hardline Islamic cleric from a Islamic state like Algeria is coming from.

[Bill McBlueState]

3. oh, that's great

Because countries that restrict religious liberty have such a great track record of peace and stability. :sarcasm:

I assume it's also a crime to convince a Muslim to give up religion entirely?