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About this quote

What does it mean?
The death penalty for apostasy represents extreme intolerance that liberal interpretations cannot fully reconcile.
In plain terms
Killing people for leaving their faith is a clear sign of intolerance that cannot be easily explained away.
What can you take from it?
Recognize extreme religious punishments as intolerant regardless of theological justification.

Where it applies

  • religious debates
  • legal policy
  • theological study

Putting it to work

  • criticize religious punishments
  • study religious history

Questions to consider

  • How should societies handle beliefs that contradict human rights?
  • Can liberal interpretations ever fully justify severe punishments?

Another view

The quote assumes a specific definition of apostasy that varies across different religious traditions.

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  3. Islam, more than any other religion human beings have devised, has all the makings of a thoroughgoing cult of death.[2]

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