Wingnut Self-interest

The Family Research Council finally buys into the idea that it is not a worthwhile expense of American blood and treasure to establish new Islamist governments in the Middle East.

What has inspired this epiphany? The possible execution of an Afghan citizen who converted 14 years ago to Christianity from Islam.

Abdul Rahman, a 41-year-old former medical aid worker, faces the death penalty for becoming a Christian under Afghanistan's Islamic laws.

His trial, which began last week, has caused an international outcry. U.S. President Bush said Wednesday he was "deeply troubled" by the case and expects the country to "honor the universal principle of freedom."

Diplomats say the Afghan government is searching for a way to drop the case, and on Wednesday authorities said Rahman is suspected of being mentally ill and would undergo psychological examinations to see whether he is fit to stand trial.

But four senior clerics interviewed by The Associated Press in their mosques in Kabul said Rahman deserved to be killed for his conversion.

"He is not crazy. He went in front of the media and confessed to being a Christian," said Hamidullah, chief cleric at Haji Yacob Mosque.

"The government is scared of the international community. But the people will kill him if he is freed."

"He is not mad. The government are playing games. The people will not be fooled," said Abdul Raoulf, cleric at Herati Mosque. "This is humiliating for Islam. ... Cut off his head."

FRC President Tony Perkins is outraged that such a thing could happen.

"Democracy is more than purple thumbs. Americans will not give their blood and treasure to prop up new Islamic fundamentalist regimes. Religious freedom is not just 'an important element' of democracy; it is its cornerstone. Religious persecution leads inevitably to political tyranny. Five hundred years of history confirm this. Americans have not given their lives so that Christians can be put to death."

It is disappointing that it took the possible execution of a Christian to get Perkins to express a measure of skepticism about Bush's blundering foreign policy. But, whatever it takes.

Welcome to the club, Tony. I would amend your statement to defend the lives and dignity of all people, not just Christians, but as for the rest of that paragraph, I doubt John Kerry could have said it better himself.