Apostasy—the act of leaving one’s religion—remains one of the most hotly debated topics in the world today. Critics often point to Islam as being especially harsh toward those who renounce their faith, citing laws in Muslim-majority countries that criminalize apostasy with punishments ranging from social ostracism to, in some cases, execution. But while these practices exist in the name of Islam, do they reflect Islam’s actual teachings? The answer is no. Islam, at its core, champions freedom of religion, not... Read more