Guest Post by David Stoddard -- When Laughter Isn't Funny: Refugees Defend Their Faith in Kangaroo Court
One of the most anticipated, decisive, and nerve-wracking moments for every refugee in Germany is the day in court, when their case is heard as to whether their life is truly in danger if they were to be sent back to their home country. For Christian converts from Islam much of their case rests on proof of a true conversion. Each refugee is asked about their journey into Christianity. However, this day in court often resembles a kangaroo court rather than true justice. The nature of the questions refugees are asked belies the German courts ability to assess conversion to Christianity. Furthermore, refugee's answers are often incorrectly translated by court appointed translators who haven't a clue about Christianity either. Faith on trial Here are some of the questions judges have asked to assess whether a refugee truly knows and understands what the Christian faith is about: "What were the names of the sons in the parable of the prodigal son?" ...