Previous Chapter -- Next Chapter
14.5. Legal threat
In most Muslim countries, leaving Islam is a legal offence punishable by jail time; in a few, it is punishable by death. This is obviously a very scary prospect! If a new convert has joined your church, it would be good to remember the risks they are taking by being associated with you, to be sensitive to a convert’s fears, and to follow sensible security precautions where appropriate. This doesn’t mean that we should encourage the new Christian to compromise their beliefs, but there are certainly likely to be some risks which don’t need to be taken. In any case we can pray with and for the convert, and offer practical support should they (or a member of their family) end up being arrested or imprisoned.
Whether or not your church has a convert in danger, you may like to follow, donate to, or even become involved in the work of Christian organisations such as the Barnabas Fund, Open Doors, or Voice of the Martyrs who work to protect and support the persecuted church and individuals. Such groups have a very important role to play.