Muslim Asylum Seekers Embrace Christianity Despite Germany's Assurance that Conversion Is Not Needed
Muslim migrants in Germany are embracing Christianity despite the government's assurance that they do not need to change their religion to be granted a refugee status in the country.
Some Muslim migrants are converting to Christianity because they think they will have better chances of gaining asylum in Germany. However, Chancellor Angela Merkel had already announced that Islam is welcome in Germany, so they really do not need to change their religion, according to a Daily Mail report cited by Christian Today.
Church leaders in Germany are delighted that there are still many Muslim migrants who voluntarily turn to Jesus Christ even though they do not need to do it to win asylum in the country. The Trinity Church in Berlin has welcomed hundreds of Iranian and Afghan refugees into its fold, the report details.
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Many of the new converts claim that their motive for embracing Christianity is not the refugee status in Germany; instead, they say that they have been enlightened by the message of the Christian faith, which cannot be found in Islam, the report relays.
Silas, who did not want to reveal his full name for security reasons, explained that when he moved to Germany from Iran, a friend lent him a Bible. After he read the holy book, he experienced spiritual transformation. The 25-year-old convert explained that he initially had no intention of converting to Christianity and only wanted to understand the religion, but he later on realized that "Islam was a big lie," Charisma News reports.
"When I started to read the Bible, it changed me ... At first, I didn't want to be a Christian, I just wanted to understand it," said Silas. "But the more answers I got, the more I ... realised I was finding God."
Muslims who converted to Christians could face severe punishment or persecution once they return to their home country. In Afghanistan and Iran, the act is punishable by death or jail time. Because of this, migrants who embrace Christianity are less likely to be sent home.
However, pastors in Germany say this is not the main reason why the migrants have chosen to change their religion. This is because they also face persecution from Muslims in the country who have stayed loyal to Islam.
