Lord Carey said some ex-Muslims in the UK were forced to ‘almost go underground’
Ian Johnston Independent 16 May 2014
Apostasy case: Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey calls on British Muslim leaders to back the right to convert from Islam- Independent
I think that George Carey is right to raise this issue for serious discussion Dave, But I think this issue is alongside domestic violence and child abuse, When it comes to how it can be dealt with. Look how long it has taken to deal with abuse in the church. The complications of protection are so great , but not impossible. There is something terribly wrong when people need to go underground because they change or express a religious view. The compulsion to stay a Muslim is no different to the compulsion to stay Christian or a Mormon if indeed it is a compulsion. We get back t the freedom of choice and opportunity, Muslims in this country have the opportunity to change religion for there are many on offer, but not the freedom of choice because of what it cost them socially and family wise and often in employment and sometimes to the point of mutilation and death. In other countries they neither have choice or opportunity. The real issue is not just the religion you are part of but how and where it is shared and whether a person is able intellectually to understand the differences between beliefs and socially be able to separate the behaviours of each. It also depends on whether a faith is based on fear, or on acceptance and all religions again in there message can create both. Cultural identity and cross cultural identity is the key but having said that social change has never been easy for the innovators. After all look at the issue of Women Bishops. The compulsion to stay a muslim if it is a compulsion will be because of the deep rooted belief in what it means to be a muslim .But is that any different to what it means to be a Christian? We need more places of protection for Muslims who wish to change religion, in having more places of protection from a young age they will know they are not trapped.
No compulsion to become Muslim is one thing. Compulsion to stay Muslim is another. Becoming Catholic has been regarded as tantamount to treason in this country in the past.