Silenced: How Apostasy and Blasphemy Codes are Choking Freedom Worldwide

The fatwa against Salman Rushdie awakened many westerners to the danger of being accused of blasphemy in the Muslim world. As this eye-opening volume reveals, accusations of "blasphemy," "apostasy," or "insulting Islam" are increasingly used by authoritarian governments and extremist forces in the Muslim world to acquire and consolidate power. These charges, which traditionally carry a punishment of death, have proved effective in intimidating not only converts and heterodox groups, but also political and religious reformers. In his foreword, the late Indonesian President Wahid observes that coercively applied blasphemy laws "narrow the bounds of acceptable discourse...not only about religion, but about vast spheres of life, literature, science and culture in general."Silenced provides the first survey of such accusations in the contemporary Muslim world, in international organizations, and in the West. The authors describe hundreds of victims, including political dissidents, religious reformers, journalists, writers, artists, movie makers, and religious minorities throughout the Muslim world. They also document the political effects in Muslim societies of blasphemy and apostasy laws, as well as non-governmental fatwas and vigilante violence. Finally, they address the move toward new blasphemy laws in the West and the increasing threat of violence to stifle commentary on Islam in the West even in the absence of law.

History

Shea, Nina

Marshall,Paul

World

Oxford University Press

The fatwa against Salman Rushdie awakened many westerners to the danger of being accused of blasphemy in the Muslim world. As this eye-opening volume reveals, accusations of "blasphemy," "apostasy," or "insulting Islam" are increasingly used by authoritarian governments and extremist forces in the Muslim world to acquire and consolidate power. These charges, which traditionally carry a punishment of death, have proved effective in intimidating not only converts and heterodox groups, but also political and religious reformers. In his foreword, the late Indonesian President Wahid observes that coercively applied blasphemy laws "narrow the bounds of acceptable discourse...not only about religion, but about vast spheres of life, literature, science and culture in general." Silenced provides the first survey of such accusations in the contemporary Muslim world, in international organizations, and in the West. The authors describe hundreds of victims, including political dissidents, religious reformers, journalists, writers, artists, movie makers, and religious minorities throughout the Muslim world. They also document the political effects in Muslim societies of blasphemy and apostasy laws, as well as non-governmental fatwas and vigilante violence. Finally, they address the move toward new blasphemy laws in the West and the increasing threat of violence to stifle commentary on Islam in the West even in the absence of law.

Christians are the world’s most widely persecuted religiousgroup, according to studiesby the Pew Research Center, Newsweek,and the Economist, among others.
A woman is caught with a Bible and publicly shot to death.An elderly priest is abducted and never seen again. Three buses full ofstudents and teachers are struck by roadside bombs. These are not casualties ofa war. These are Christian believers being persecuted for their faith in thetwenty-first century. 
Many Americans do not understand that Christians today arevictims in many parts of the world. Even many Western Christians, who worshipand pray without fear of violent repercussions, are unaware that so manyfollowers of Christ live under governments and among people who are oftenopenly hostile to their faith. They think martyrdom became a rarity long ago. 
Persecuted soundlyrefutes these assumptions. This book offers a glimpse at the modern-day life ofChristians worldwide, recounting the ongoing attacks that rarely makeinternational headlines. 
As Western Christians pray for the future of Christ’schurch, it is vital that they understand a large part of the world’s Christian believerslive in danger. Persecuted gives documentedaccounts of the persecution of Christians in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, andformer Soviet nations. It contains vivid stories of men and women who sufferabuse because of their faith in Jesus Christ, and tells of their perseveranceand courage.. 
Persecuted is far more than a thorough and moving study of this global pattern of violence―it isa cry for freedom and a call to action.

Persecuted: The Global Assault on Christians

Gilbert, Lela

Thomas Nelson

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Books by Shea, Nina

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Shea, Nina. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Silenced: How Apostasy and Blasphemy Codes are Choking Freedom Worldwide

Silenced: How Apostasy and Blasphemy Codes are Choking Freedom Worldwide

Persecuted: The Global Assault on Christians