Surah 6 · Verse 68

[6:68] God has given ultimate freedom of thought, belief and expression (2:256; 4:137, 140; 6:110; 10:99; 18:29; 88:20- 21). Those who threaten the lives of those who criticize or insult their faith, ignore God's advice in this and other verses. If God asks us to ignore those who insult and mock God's revelations and signs by protesting passively, how can we get enraged and mad in the name of the same God? We should enlighten ignorant people without falling to their level. The technique known as the Socratic Method is an efficient and positive method for discussing issues involving religion and faith. The following verses, 6:74-83, will give us an example from Abraham's method for pulling the attention of the faithful people to engage in a rational discussion. "The Lord said to Moses: 'Take the blasphemer outside the camp. All those who heard him are to lay their hands on his head, and the entire assembly is to stone him. Say to the Israelites: If anyone curses his God, he will be held responsible; anyone who blasphemes the name of the Lord must be put to death. The entire assembly must stone him. Whether an alien or native-born, when he blasphemes the Name, he must be put to death.... Then Moses spoke to the Israelites, and they took the blasphemer outside the camp and stoned him. The Israelites did as the Lord commanded Moses" (Leviticus 24:13-16). "If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, 'Let us go and worship other gods' ... Show him no pity. Do not spare him or shield him. You must certainly put him to death. Your hand must be the first in putting him to death, and then the hands of all the people. Stone him to death, because he tried to turn you away from the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out the land of slavery. Then all Israel will hear and be afraid, and no one among you will do such an evil thing again" (Deuteronomy 13:6- 11).