ontological ethics metaphysics una fa vin bin coppa di buon coraggio fa mor.maybe maybe le carte da gioco di fama mondiale bye ALICE oxford companion to philosophy wycliffes dictionary of ethics. epiphenomenalism qualia ontology tau te chinq sette theory. Stanislaw Lesniewski logician Leibniz selection great books .

To K.Rians: Rifqa told FDLE before their trip to Ohio that she had to leave her cheerleading pictures behind and so her family now has them.

She said her parents NEVER saw her cheerlead and she would never wear the uniform in front of them.

Absolutely NOTHING has contradicted what she said. The FDLE, however, deliberately withheld fro their report what Rifqa told them and worded their report to make her appear a liar.

And Rifwa did not tell FDLE her parents were radical, she said they were devout. The truth is in the FDLE interview transcript.

Most of the 5,000 honour killings reported to take place every year around the world do not make the news, nor do the other myriad forms of violence inflicted on women and girls by husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, uncles and other male – and sometimes even female – family members.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33971&Cr=violence+against+women&Cr1#.VXjOH89Vikp

This girl is such a liar. If you look at the interview with her parents they show photos of her in cheerleading outfits and skirts at school just a year before she “escaped” and this girl says she wasnt even allowed to wear dresses at home?! Also do tell me which radical muslim family would allow their daughter to be a cheerleader and wear skirts?! Rifqa is a liar full stop. It was all a conspiracy involving herself and the church she was connected with. She got the fame, she got the exposure, she is selling her book making $$$. I have absolutely no doubt that this individual lives with guilt & shame every single day, and she will til the day she admits to her deceit.

Peggy, you evidently are as much obsessed with Islam as Pam Geller. That you will libel a young girl as a liar based on your fantasies about religion is your shame but I will not waste more time with a topic that is largely irrelevant to the matter of child abuse and the mistreatment of Rifqa by state agencies as well as the media.

I think you are starting to understand by now that the FDLE investigation was a farce, though you will never admit it and will keep insinuating that Rifqa must be a liar if FDLE refused to investigate — or even admit in their report — precisely the concrete allegations that could have been substantiated by a true investigation.

I already told you that neither the media nor FDLE nor Columbus PD ever told the public crucial facts about the case. That holds about the fact that Rifqa would have been detained by the cop who gave her a ride had her parents not delayed reporting her missing for so long, and it also holds about the crucial story Rifqa told FDLE about her classmates alerting a counselor about her bruises.

NEITHER of these crucial facts was ever reported by a single journalist AFAIK, which is why the media coverage — FOX News included — has been just as much a farce as the bogus FDLE investigation.

Rozum—I don’t know what your stake is in all of this. If you would like to provide a link to the AP journalist’s story, I would love to read it. And yes, I am aware of Rifqa’s contact with the police after running and spending the day in a church. In fact, the mosque with which the Barys were (somewhat loosely, by their records) associated, Noor, IS and example of moderate Islam. But—they, as well as any other mosque recognize Jesus as both a historical figure and a part of Muslim history, along with Moses and Abraham. If you know examples of those with other beliefs—and can demonstrate that they were a part of Rifqa’s upbringing, feel free. Until such time, it is reasonable to believe that either Rifqa’s knowledge of Islam is fairly shallow, or that she is pulling her story from somewhere else (or a mixture of both).

As far as abuse by her parents is concerned, I would suggest that we do not know, but the quality of her other information suggests it prudent to look for confirming evidence.

Regarding death for apostasy, the reason that it is important to understand that this is something distinct from so-called honor killing, is that it must be adjudicated in a Sharia Court, in a country that recognizes Sharia for that purpose. Hence, not the United States, nor Sri Lanka, nor even England—where so-called Sharia Courts are used by mutual agreement to mediate certain civil (not criminal) matters. The danger to Rifqa of being executed based on her conversion would appear therefore to be zip.

BTW—if you are concerned about the religious subjugation of women, perhaps you might want to take a closer look at some of the fundamentalist Christian groups rallying behind Rifqa.

Peggy, you keep on spreading misinformation about Rifqa by pretending the evidence shows she was lying about being abused by her parents.

You always add one preposterous allegations, this time that lack of district official record means that Rifqa was lying about her middle school classmates reporting her bruises from beatings. Of course it does not.

In fact an AP journalist who examined the Columbus investigation files told me that Rifqa’s middle school story was CONFIRMED once it was finally investigated — but neither the CPD not the media ever told the public.

The public was also never told the fact that Rifqa’s parents waited at least a full day before reporting her missing, and that this was the reason she made it all the way to Florida.

You see Rifqa was stopped by a police officer at 11PM in Columbus and given a RIDE by him after he checked if she is on the runaway list. The FDLE itself told Rifqa that had her parents not waited so long to report her missing she would have been detained by the cop (there is a record of him checking Rifqa’s name against the database).

Again, this fascinating fact that Rifqa was literally helped with her escape by a police officer, and that he would have detained her had her parents not waited so long to report her missing, was withheld from the public. Instead, we were fed lies, including by networks like FOX News, that her parents reported her missing right away.

The message you are sending to abused kids it that it is OK to exploit the most ludicrous excuses to label the abused child a liar.

P.S. As to you fantastic notion that any child whose experience does not conform to your shallow contact with liberal Islam must be labeled a foolish liar — that really is not worth further discussion. Vast majorities of Muslims in Asia confirm in polls the death penalty for apostasy as well as the subjugation of women to men, but a child raised in that religious environment must be labeled a liar if she dares to tell the truth about her upbringing? You seem just as obsessed and fanatical about Islam as Pam Geller does. Sadly that leads you into hateful treatment of Rifqa, which is inexcusable.

Again, Rifqa never harmed you. Please stop harming her by spreading libel about her.

Rozum—I don’t know if further conversation is worth it, as you have so clearly already determined what you believe to be the truth, regardless of any evidence to the contrary (including you insistence that I hate Rifqa). What happened in Florida was not simply that the authorities were tasked with evaluating the situation and making decisions based on the needs of the child (Rifqa). They were openly challenged from the outset (beginning with the Lorenz family hiding Rifqa FROM the authorities) by a number of people with ongoing agenda—having nothing to do with the protection of children. Stemberger, Gellar and Lorenz share religio-political beliefs that are overtly anti-Muslim. Gellar is a rabid Zionist not only spreading the word that every Muslim who follows their religion is a terrorist—but doing a good many things (such as her recent caricature contest) to fan the flames of hatred and division (BTW—the Bary’s attorney sued Gellar after the case had concluded and succeeded in forcing her to remove from her blog a number of falsehoods, such as they accusation that he was linked to terrorist groups). Stemberger (who simply showed up at the courthouse, apparently without ever having met Rifqa, claiming to be her attorney) is profoundly anti many things (Muslims, gays), and also a believer that all Muslims are terrorists (“On Monday afternoon, Orlando attorney John Stemberger said that the primary issue in the case is the clear and present danger that is presented by the Noor Islamic Cultural Center and its ties to terrorist activity.” – See more at: http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/sorry-saga-rifqa-bary#sthash.fipI4Zgv.dpuf). The ministers Lorenz and End Times believers who believe that Muslims are the army of the anti-Christ.

Now, frankly, I tend to fall on the side of giving wide latitude to kids who claim abuse—because on the one hand if true, they need protection, on the other hand, if not true, there are some serious family issues that need to be addressed. In this case, owing to their being so many conflicts between Rifqa’s story and what can be substantiated with evidence (such as the claim that a counselor called her parents about abuse—schools keep records, counselors keep records). And while you prefer to believe that Rifqa simply experienced Islam differently than the rest of the Muslim world, the reality is that her knowledge of Islam is either very limited (inconsistent with her accounts of being raised strictly according to Islam and "throwing herself into it)—or she has chosen to pick up the invented version of Islam peddled by some of her supporters.

Were it not for these religio-politico actors making noise and punching political buttons, the routine protocol would have been to return Rifqa to either her parents, or to the county Children’s Services agency in Ohio. You may recall that the ground presented to the court for keeping her in Florida was that the authorities in Ohio could not keep her safe. This claim was ultimately deemed insubstantial and she was returned to Ohio, where authorities made decisions based on Rifqa’s needs and the situation of her family.

And Jae Johns:

Your message to kids that a child reporting being beaten by parents does NOT count as EVIDENCE is extremely dangerous — it tells kids that they will be presumed liars unless someone confirms their allegations of abuse.

That is how so many tragedies occur, frequently UNDER THE DCF WATCH — complaints of abuse are ignored because no bones were broken etc. That’s how kids end up DEAD.

Had you examined the NUMEROUS cases of kids dying in families being “watched” by DCF — hundreds in Florida alone per a recent Miami Herald investigation — you’d have known that.

You want abused children to be treated like runaway dogs: forcibly returned unless it can be proven they were abused.

Should girls reporting being molested be treated the way you propose for kids alleging physical abuse?

That is presumed to be liars unless the abuse is somehow confirmed and in the meantime merely “watched” by DCF while forced to live with their molester?

Jae Johns, first some FACTS:

Rifqa tolf FDLE that her parents never saw her cheering or even in a cheering uniform, nor saw any pictures UNTIL she ran away but left those pictures behind.

She explicitly told FDLE “NOW they have them” (cheering photos).

The FDLE then OMITTED the fact that Rifqa told them she left her cheering photos behind, and made it look like Rifqa was lying.

As to religious strictness, per Rifqa she started to gain more freedom after the call from the middle school counselor regarding her bruises from beatings — clearly the parents feared further violence could lead to being deported due to their illegal status being discovered. The inability to fully control their daughter without risking deportation does not prove they did not detest Rifqa ceasing to wear the hijab etc.

You have absolutely no evidence that Rifqa ever lied about the beatings, but you pretend she did and on top of that you spread vicious sexual rumors about Rifqa.

This is just despicable.

And Peggy, did you actually READ Rifqa’s book?

Your complaints about Rifqa amount to insinuating that because YOU DISLIKE the interpretation of Islam she says she was TAUGHT, she must be a liar who made up everything including being abused.

That is insane. A child raised to believe Christianity considers homosexuality a sin is not a liar if he says so simply because there are some Christians who believe otherwise. And Rifqa is not a liar simply because you encountered some Muslims with liberal views.

BTW, you constantly insist on pretending only your version of Islam is the correct one. What arrogance! Rifqa, on the other hand, simply speaks of the Islam she was taught — she never said that anyone with a different interpretation of Islam is an ignorant liar, as you repeatedly insinuate Rifqa must be.

Again, please stop the hate.

Peggy now you are playing dumb: per the FDLE the teacher invited Rifqa to stay overnight WITHOUT ever informing her parents or child welfare about the supposed concerns about Rifqa’s safety. Period.

Again, please try to stop hating Rifqa so intensely — she does not deserve it.

Ummmm—I never heard that the teacher would have her spend the night without parental approval. I think you assumed that to be a part of the bargain. But, you are straining at that gnat, having already swallowed the camel when Blake Lorenz arranged her transportation to Florida (did you realize that Brian Williams had to drive back from Kansas to Ohio to give her a ride to the bus station—and that this was paid for from church coffers, without authorization of the Board?) and kept her in hiding from both her parents and authorities—and did so knowing full well he was breaking the law, because he had consulted lawyers in advance?

Rozum—I have no desire to smear Rifqa’s name. However, as a Christian, I have put some effort into understanding my Muslim friends and neighbors. I am deeply regretful of some of the hateful behaviors and attitudes I have observed towards Muslims in this country—not Christlike at all. So, I have come to know that the picture of Islam painted in this book is a mere caricature of Muslim beliefs. I can empathize with Rifqa’s experiences growing up in Queens. I believe that her pain is real. But I cannot ignore the reality that she fled a moderate Muslim family and landed in the arms of Christian extremists and radical Zionists. I profoundly hope that some day she is able to face up to this reality, and find peace with herself, her family, and her God.

And Peggy, you are utterly confused: FDLE never spoke to the counselor from middle school, they only spoke to a teacher from HS.

And no, NOTHING Rifqa told FDLE conflicts with what the FDLE said the teacher told them.

Rifqa never told FDLE she feared for her life until her final conflicts with her parents shortly before she ran away — during the summer. Rifqa also NEVER told FDLE why the teacher offered her a sanctuary — the FDLE simply made up this part.

BTW, the ludicrous bias against Rifqa is illustrated by how no one in the media pointed out the disturbing fact that a teacher invites a 16-year-old girl home overnight when her parents are gone — instead of simply telling the parents or child welfare that the child is (supposedly) being endangered by her own brother and his friends?

Anyone with half a brain would recognize something is not right — either the teacher is creepy or she believed Rifqa’s parents are not trustworthy. And yet FDLE refused to ask the teacher why she kept her “concerns regarding Rifqa’s safety” (her own words per FDLE) secret. This was a farce, not a child abuse investigation.

Peggy you once again insinuate that Rifqa lied about being abused by her parents and this time the sole reason you give is your preposterous pretense that Rifqa was unaware that Muslims view their god as being the god of the bible. Obviously Rifqa meant the human concept of god, otherwise she would have to literally believe there are many actual gods in existence and so could not be a monotheist.

Rifqa has every right to believe that the Muslim IDEA of god she was taught DIFFERS from the Christian IDEA of god she learned later. You have absolutely NO right telling Rifqa how she should feel about the distinct concepts of god she encounters in life.

MILLIONS of people use the word “god” to mean human concept of god, just as MILLIONS of people use the word “jail” to mean juvenile detention. Your pretense that Rifqa using language the same as millions of others somehow indicates she lied about being abused is utterly outrageous.

Why not stop constantly demeaning the girl, why not rid yourself of the hatred against Rifqa. She never harmed you in any way, so why are you trying so hard to smear her name?

Jae—I cannot help with the Fox clip, but it does sound like Gellar, who along with Stemberger, Lorenz and some others inserted herself into the middle of this story back when it was happening. I suspect that the reason that Rifqa was never returned to her family of origin had to do with the short time-frame before she would age out of the child protection system, and the fact that she had run once and likely would again. In fact, given her notoriety by the time she was finally back in Ohio, I can imagine that even returning to school would have been traumatic for her.

One important factor with regard to “honor killings” is that they are not about religious conversion. I believe it was most likely Gellar who invented that particular conflation. The practice of murdering women by family members (many feminists object to the term “honor killing” as it has nothing to do with honor), has to do with control of sexuality and ownership of wives and daughters as sexual property. It tends to follow the suspicion of a woman playing around (including flirtation) sexually with a man not her husband, or intended. It has also happened in retaliation for a young woman turning down a suitor (along with various disfiguring but not fatal attacks) This is a cultural, rather than religious, practice, and in countries where it is practiced, it tends to cross religious lines. It is not a practice in Sri Lanka. And if Rifqa’s family was of a mind to follow the practice, it would seem as though they would have snuffed her out following her abuse by a family member—rather than leaving the country.

Gellar, however, has chosen to reinterpret the practice through the lens of apostasy. Why she would think that only daughters and wives could be apostates (since men are not murdered for family honor) defies all logic.

I am glad to find this being talked about now.

First of all, since many of you followed this so closely, I am looking for a fox news clip from this case that features a female comentator, possibly Geller, claiming that there are 5,000 honor killings in the US every YEAR. It is later corrected (500 worldwide), but I want that original segment, if anyone has it. I need it for a media and child abuse dissertation.

As a woman who was sexually abused in home as a child, runaway, in foster care, and who advocates for abused children now, I think the entire way this has been handled is a farce. Sexual abuse for a child is always possible and should never be entirely ruled out, it’s also entirely possible that she didn’t want to tell the story . I think it’s equally likely whether her parents knew or didn’t. In America, the covering up of child sex abuse, especially when it happens in the family, is gut-wrenchingly common. But what happened here, if anything happened, wasn’t in the immediate family, and there is no evidence nor likelihood that she was in danger of abuse in home.

There was a picture that surfaced of her as a cheerleader. To ANYONE who knows a mouse fart about Islam, that picture tells you everything you need to know about how “strict” her parents were. Cheerleading costs more money than a kid could get on their own, and requires parental permission; clearly her parents supported it. Hijab is the most basic of basics in a “strict” muslim family, or even a mildly practicing muslim family. That alone is enough to rule out “honor killing.” That combined with no history of abuse makes it damn near impossible. I don’t doubt that her parents said some harsh things to her when they found out about her running away, as any parent would. I don’t doubt they said that they would send her back to Sri Lanka, among other things, and were very angry and all. But so what? The point is, if she was not in danger of abuse or harm, she should have been sent back to her parents and monitored from there. If she was willing to go this far, it’s clear that it would be impossible to get this girl onto a plane against her will. They may try to convert her back, as any Christian family would also do for a child they loved, but ultimately they would give up and accept her. Instead, this poor girl has been severed from any contact with her family, and robbed and brainwashed out of the chance to reconcile later.

Why would she lie? She was also probably afraid. Not of being killed, but of facing up to the consequences of what she had done. People, especially children, do crazy things to avoid dealing with consequences, the least of which is lying. If she couldn’t face them then, imagine how she feels now? It’s hardly a stretch to say the parents, teachers, and friends accounts of her not being abused, chatting sexually with men on facebook, and running away after a confrontation from her parents seem much more plausible.

In the real world, when a child says “my parents hurt me or may hurt me” there is first and foremost an investigation. If there is no evidence of that being an issue, the child is then sent home and CLOSELY MONITORED by authorities with the understanding that if anything does happen, DCFS will be right there. Support is given to the family to make sure that nothing untoward happens or continues. Emancipation and foster care are absolute last resorts after all reconciliation efforts are exhausted, or, if the child exhibits harmful behavior, juvenile dentition, correction, and girls’ homes are used. In general, no one cares about a child like their parents, and unless there is a clear problem, no one will be able give better support. Rozum, if you are truly into child advocacy, surely you know that children who age out of state care are at all kinds of risk and removing a child from the home should be a last resort. Since she came from a supportive home in the first place, her risk is greatly reduced, and she’s in college, but she is now dependent on the support generated by this “story” to keep her going in the near future, instead of her parents, who, no matter what else, would at least have allowed her more life choices than being an Islamophobia poster child.

BTW—with regard to music, Rifqa’s family comes from Sri Lanka, likely Tamil. There are multiple examples of music on youtube that are Tamil, Islam, Sri Lankan and used in worship. Here is a rather lovely example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXPp9r_llMc&list=PL5Plr7N_DJTw1oqINHHTkMT4TDYZqszfq&index=16

Rozum—with regard to FDLE investigation in Ohio, they sent people up here, only to be reminded that they had not authority to conduct an investigation here. And while the Ohio authorities DID talk to a counselor of Rifqa’s—her version of their encounter was quite different. She had offered to let Rifqa spend the night when her parents were away and her older brother was having drinking parties. Not at all about parental abuse—as Rifqa claimed. And friends did not confirm Rifqa’s claims that they knew about abuse, either. The only confirmation came from the youth minister who responded by Baptising her in secret, and also driving her to the bus station to go to Florida.

Rozum—I followed this case intensely when it was open. I tried to find a link to the FDLE report today—however, with years gone by, I could not immediately find it (there is a recorded—and redacted—version on youtube) However, it would be extremely unusual for any agency to release information (even in Florida where many juvenile records appear to be a public record) that would identify a minor as the victim of a sexual assault. Hence, when the interview was released, the redaction was generally assumed to refer to sexual abuse—although many of Rifqa’s cheerleaders suggested something far more recent naming either her father or older brother.

I will stop short of suggesting that Rifqa is a liar outright, but I will point out that there are many inconsistencies in her stories, and they have been there since the very beginning. At the very top of the heap is the reality that she knows far less about Islam than someone who was not only raised in a strictly devout household, but also “threw herself into” her religion at the point in her life when she proclaims that she felt herself to be damaged goods rejected by her parents. If there is anything that Muslims are clear about it is that they pray to God of Abraham and Moses, and Jesus. And yet she has referred multiple times to “praying to a different God.”

The most respectful understanding of these inconsistencies is that she herself believes that the things she says are true. Now, since Rifqa’s location is being held secret, we don’t know much about where she is going to school and where she has been worshipping. But we do know that in her initial bolt she was assisted by people with connections to the International House of Prayer—which has frequently been viewed as “cult-like” to say the least. Under the direction of Mike Bickel and lately Lou Engle, this End Times ministry has build upon the Latter Rain movement—which many protestants consider heretical. And if you know anything about American Protestantism, it takes some very extreme behaviors and beliefs to be considered heretical.

We also know that Blake Lorenz left behind a large mainstream congregation to start his own (always raising the question of what led to such separation), and was asked to leave that group as a result of his behavior with regard to Rifqa. In so doing, he overlooked legal advice and the guidance of his Board, engaging in behavior that, even if not specifically illegal under Florida law, was certainly highly unethical. Now, these are the people providing Rifqa’s religious guidance. All in all, still a very sad story.

And Peggy, my point was that Priscilla is outrageously wrong in accusing Rifqa that she did not allege sexual abuse at the time she was seeking help.

Priscilla does it to insinuate Rifqa is a liar — and does it with utter contempt for the truth.

(And yes, I have the uncensored transcript as released by FDLE itself — I do not know who censored your copy.)

Peggy, Rifqa gave FDLE the FULL NAME of her classmate who reported her bruises at school and also gave FDLE good description of the middle school counselor who called her parents. FDLE never investigated this and in fact withheld the information this from their report.

That is one reason someone like me, who are primarily concerned with child abuse, not religion, recognizes the treatment of Rifqa as a massive setback to child protection and children’s rights in the U.S.

Peggy, a juvenile detention center is JAIL. It is where 17-year-old charged with murder and rape in Florida are sent upon arrest. Cops and sheriffs routinely refer to it as jail. And no, it is not appropriate to send mere runaway kids into that environment.

As to religious music, “Most jurists of the classical era of Muslim scholarship opined that music is forbidden both by the Qur’an and by the Hadith.” [Wikipedia]

How often have you seen singing in a Mosque the way it is done in many Christian churches? To sing any verse from the Qur’an is considered equivalent to outright blasphemy in mainstream Islam. So of course hearing church music was a shock to Rifqa.

Obviously Rifqa is speaking of HER EXPERIENCE of Islam — what she learned from her PARENTS and from the Muslims they exposed her to.

Why not show some respect for her instead of constantly insinuating she is a liar or an idiot?

She does not deserve the constant hate.

Plum—I have been listening to your link, about half way through—don’t know if I can make it through to the end. I don’t see any difference between this interviewer and Hasslebeck. She is presenting a Christian martyr and heroine. Sadly, Rifqa is simply reiterating the hype that was created for her back in 2009—with a few embellishments (such as going to jail—“a cold, cold place where we were treated like animals,” in fact apparently a juvenile detention center—appropriate for a runaway—until she was placed in a foster home). But, her knowledge of Islam—even to a Christian like myself—falls between sketchy and flat-out wrong. As an example, she relates that she first heard music in church—as music is haram in Islam. This is completely invented. Stuff apparently sells books, though—or so she hopes.

Rozum—I believe that Rifqa MAY have reported to FDLA with regard to sexual abuse in Sri Lanka. This would account for the redacted portion of the interview. But you write as though you have seen this portion unredacted? In any case, it would have had no bearing on the custody case as the parents clearly took steps to remove her from the situation by coming to the US. However, as regards proof of any physical abuse here in the US, while it is true that such things are difficult to substantiate unless there are visible injuries. However, there were troubling aspects such as Rifqa’s claim to have told a counselor at school and some friends about having been abused. And the fact that THESE things could not be substantiated calls her story into question, as well as the fact that multiple church leaders and ministers neglected to make any report to authorities—choosing instead the route of moving her illegally to Florida, where she could serve as a mascot for various ministries in Florida and Kansas City (IHOP). At age 17, I was willing to see her primarily as a victim of what most likely included brainwashing. Now, at age 22, I believe that she must begin to be held accountable.

I saw this interview and was not offended, as the author seems to be. The problem I have with 5-minute quickie interviews is that it leaves me unsatisfied. I want to know more and with the time constraints of Fox and all other TV channels (except maybe PBS), the complete story is hard to tell. Wouldn’t you know, I was listening to the radio yesterday and heard a full interview with Rifqa on the Janet Parshall show. Fabulous and very satisfying. I encourage you to listen to it and hopefully your irritation and suspicions will be quelled. http://www.moodyradio.org/In-The-Market-with-Janet-Parshall/2015/05-2015/05-19-2015—-Rifqa-Bary,-Dr—Anne-Bradley/

To Joseph West: you fail to respond to any of my criticism of Priscilla’s factually incorrect attack against Rifqa; instead, you just demean and insult the young girl and, like Priscilla, insinuate that unless she is able to prove abuse — something impossible for MAJORITY of abused children — she must be presumed a liar and should be shunned by the media.

(And you religious criticism borders on ludicrous — besides being irrelevant, it is trivial to confirm that it is common within Christianity to worship Jesus, e.g. per Wikipedia:

“The great majority of Christians worship Jesus as the incarnation of God the Son, the second of three persons of a Divine Trinity.”

I guess you are a religious fanatic bent on denying billions of people the right to call themselves Christian unless they agree with you on ethereal semantics; as an agnostic I really couldn’t care less about your theological obsessions.)

I watched the interview, and Hasselbeck did indeed lead the gushing Rifqa with softball questions. I am disappointed because I had hoped that perhaps once all the shouting died down Rifqa might have an opportunity to look about beyond the worlds of both her family and the extremist protectors who had rushed in to “save her.” One note about her eye, Pam Gellar also promised to be able to put Ms. Bary in touch with someone willing to fix it for her for free—but as it appears to be unchanged, perhaps there are no medical solutions available. Or maybe Pam lied, who knows.

Frankly, I would love to see Bary sit down with some actual Muslim women of her age who have chosen to be Muslim here in the US. They could point out to her that either she knows next to nothing about Islam, or she is simply making stuff up (a la Ergun Caner) to please her audience. She talks about praying to a different God. ANY practicing Muslim understands that Muslims pray to the God of Abraham and Moses, as do Christians. She also says, “there is a law, called Sharia” that requires converts be killed. Sharia is not a single law—it is a body of law, like Talmudic Law, or Canon Law—that guides many decisions. And most American Muslims would point to there being “no compulsion” to belief, IOW, killing apostates is an extremist view, and while it exists in some very frightening ways in some very troubled parts of the world, nobody is likely to be gunning for Rifqa here. And the notion of “honor killing,” is another custom altogether, a cultural custom in some countries—where it applies across religious lines, primarily to enforce patriarchy. Patriarchy, by the way, is endorsed by a number of her Christian supporters.

@ Rozum: You show us all REAL evidence of Rifqa’s claims, rather than the crap she goes on FoxNoise and spews.

The woman is quoted as wanting “to worship Jesus” but no REAL Christian “worships” Jesus. Jesus (according to Christian mythology) was merely the human form of God (even in the New Testament, Jesus never seeks to be worshiped).

But, for you to act like you know the “mission of NewsHounds”—you signed up when exactly?—suggests you’ve got other problems. I’ve been at NewsHounds for years and the site’s only “mission” is to expose the lies and propaganda spread by the kkkrew of FoxNoise. And that includes guests like Rifqa whose sole purpose for the network is to be yet another Islam basher.