US: Call for teen Christian convert and Muslim parents to talk about religion
The runaway teen Muslim convert to Christianity who made national headlines when she ran away should talk to her parents about religion when they are reunited, according to a proposal filed in Ohio.
A government caseworker outlined a plan calling for Rifqa Bary, 17, and her parents to listen to each other's views on religion.
Bary needs to hear out her parents' explanation of their beliefs when she goes home, according to the proposal filed in Franklin CountyJuvenile Court. In turn, her parents must listen to Bary explain her newfound Christianity.
The goal is for both sides to better understand why the teenager ran away to Florida over the summer and stayed with a Christian family she met online.
Bary has said she feared her father would harm or kill her for converting from Islam.
Her father has denied the claim. A Florida Department of Law Enforcementinvestigation found no credible threats to the girl.
The plan leaves open the possibility that the girl may never return home.
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Bary was sent back to Ohio last month, where she is in the care of the county children's services agency. Her phone and Internet usage is being closely monitored to
comply with a judge's ruling.
Bary, of suburban New Albany, disappeared July 19. Police used phone and computer records to track her to the Rev. Blake Lorenz, pastor of Orlando, Fla.-based Global Revolution Church.
Authorities said the teen had met him through a prayer group on Facebook.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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