Apostasy

After reading today's Patriot Post, decided to look up the definition of the word apostate. The definition in Wikipedia is a little different than the conservative newsletter stated.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostasy

To the end of the linked page is a listing of countries in which aposty from the state religion is against the law. In the United States this a choice that is Constitutionally protected.  This is a facet of Arab culture that should not be respected.

Copied from Wikipedia...

• Iran - illegal (death penalty)
• Egypt - illegal (death penalty)
• Pakistan - illegal (death penalty since 2007)
• United Arab Emirates - illegal (death penalty)
• Somalia - illegal (death penalty)
• Afghanistan - illegal (death penalty, although the U.S. and other coalition members have put pressure that has prevented recent executions)
• Saudi Arabia - illegal (death penalty, although there have been no recently reported executions)
• Sudan - illegal (death penalty, although there have only been recent reports of torture, and not of execution)
• Qatar - illegal (death penalty)
• Yemen - illegal (death penalty)
• Malaysia - illegal in five of 13 states (fine, imprisonment, and flogging)
• Mauritania - illegal (death penalty)
• Nigeria - illegal in twelve of 37 states (death penalty)
• Syria - possibly illegal (death penalty) although there is evidence to the contrary
• Morocco - illegal to proselytize conversion (15 years jail, flogging)
• Jordan - possibly illegal (fine, jail, child custody loss, marriage annulment) although officials claim otherwise, convictions are recorded for apostasy.