Judge Rules Christian Convert Teen Must Go Back Home

[WeDidIt]

Judge Rules Christian Convert Teen Must Go Back Home

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

A Florida judge has ruled a teenager from Ohio must return after running away to Florida in fear that her parents would harm her for converting from Islam to Christianity.

The judge ruled Ohio has jurisdiction over the case involving the teen, Rifqa Bary.

Rifqa fled to Florida after her parents, Mohamed and Aysha Bary, learned that she was baptized earlier this year without their knowledge. The parents reported her missing to Columbus, Ohio, Police on July 19. Weeks later, using cell phone and computer records, police tracked the girl to the Rev. Blake Lorenz, pastor of the Orlando-based Global Revolution Church.

<snip>

No date has been set for when she will be returned back home.

Fox News Link

[SeattleGirl]

1. The article doesn't say how old this girl is.

Her age could have some bearing on whether she would have to stay with her parents. Or she could petition to be an emancipated minor.

I can understand her parent's anxiety about her running away, but I also understand her fears of what would happen to her. Maybe the police didn't detect any threats direct to the girl, but I don't know if people put up a large announcement when they are going to do an honor killing.

Shoot, I hope this gets worked out, and that the girl will be okay.

[WeDidIt]

3. She cannot petition for emancipation

There is no provision in Ohio law whereby any minor may petition for emancipation.

[SeattleGirl]

13. Thanks for the info.

I wasn't aware of that.

[YOY]

4. 17. Heard it elsewhere.

n/t

[winyanstaz]

2. she may well be killed for that.

[NNN0LHI]

6. Remember Jim Jones?

Christianity can lead to death too.

Don

[winyanstaz]

14. I agree..

[slackmaster]

5. Religion Of Peace has the death penalty for conversions

Bummer for her.

[Stevenmarc]

7. I guess she didn't get to Deuteronomy 5:16 in her Bible studies

[Heddi]

8. dupe

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6767257

[UnseenUndergrad]

9. First, it's Fox News...

Second, her family is Sri Lankan, inside the realm of traditionally moderate Indian Ocean Islam (who are a minority-in-the-middle between Sinhalese and Tamils).

Third, there's suspicion that a cult-like operaton inside her high-school got their hooks into her, is connected to the preacher in Florida and that a fellow-convert/gym teacher drove her there. Even accusations of brainwashing.

That, and it has become the cause "du jour" for Floridas conservative Christian community

[WeDidIt]

11. I've thought she should be sent back from day one.

I figured a judge would agree sooner or later.

[surrealAmerican]

16. If that's true, wouldn't that be kidnapping?

Why is it more acceptable to lure a child to another state with promises of salvation than it is to lure a child into your car with promises of candy?

[UnseenUndergrad]

17. That's what I was asking myself.

[malaise]

10. Good n/t

[TexasObserver]

12. It's the correct call because of the laws in both states.

The Ohio parental rights are dominant.

When she is 18, her religious choices become her right as an adult. Until then, her parents are vested with the right to make that choice. In her heart, she can believe as she wishes.

[zbdent]

15. I would petition for asylum ...

of course, since it's not an election year and it's not trying to embarrass Bill Clinton, the Religious Reich probably won't put up the kind of fight that the Repugniconvicts did for Elian Gonzales ... you know, the one where the Repugs felt that he belonged to a bunch of relatives the kid never heard of two months before took him to Disneywhatever and gave him all kinds of nice things rather than his father (which, if it were any other situation, like a single mother raising a kid, they would be saying the child needed in his life) ...