Scoop’s Views

The fastest way to turn people against you …

‘Convert to Islam or die!’ 

Rick Beckman found an interesting news story in Christian Today, and in a posting, had a few insights to share.

In the article, it is noted that Christians in the northwestern frontier town of Charsadda, Pakistan, an ultimatum was issued to Christians: Convert to Islam by May 17, 2007, or they will face "dire consequences and bomb explosions."

If I were going to hawk a supposed religion of peace, I would certainly go about it the was these radical Islamics have, too. What better way to get someone to convert than to tell them:

"Leave your God and come to ours. If you don’t, well, we may skin you alive, drop you in acid, behead you like you’ve seen in videos from Iraq, or blow you up while you sleep. We are a bunch of bullies and cowards, so this is our way to find new converts. Join us or die!"

‘Blasphemy laws’ in the 21st Century

According to Christian Today, the threats came as Pakistan’s National Assembly rejected proposed amendments to that country’s "blasphemy laws."

The article points out that under Pakistan’s existing "blasphemy laws," anyone convicted of blasphemy against the Mohammad faces life in prison or the death penalty. Wow! Talk about a rough sentence for talking about a dead guy.

I think it’s a hilarious comparison when one considers that Muslims come to the U.S., denounce Christianity and every other religion, as well as the American way of life — in America, no less! – but these fanatics expect Americans to be sensitive to their murderous beliefs!

The proposed legislation in Pakistan was introduced by a "Mr. Bhandara," who was identified as a Parsi. I guess politicians in Pakistan don’t use first names. Under his proposed changes to the "blasphemy law," the penalty for blasphemy against the Mohammad to a five year prison sentence, as well as a fine. I guess Mohammad needs money for swords, explosives, and whatever other toys may be needed. According to the article, Bhandara also proposed applying the law to other religions, not only Islam, but it didn’t make clear if bad-mouthing or denouncing Jesus, Yahweh, or other religious figures would be a crime, as well, although it sounds like it would be.

Bhandara’s proposals were greeted, according to the Christian Today article, with "cries of ’shame’ from [g]overnment and opposition … were rejected by the Parliamentary Affairs Minister as un-Islamic." What a laugh! A supposed "religion of peace and love," as many Islamics have described it since 9/11, this sounds like a religion based on anything but either love or peace.

"Islam is our religion and such bills hurt our feelings," said Minister said. Yes, he said the very thought of such a bill being discussed "hurt our feelings." Wahhh! Let me go cry for the almost hurt feelings of the Islamic Parliamentary Affairs Minister of Pakistan and his cronies.

Opposing viewpoints in Pakistan

On the other side of the argument is Shahbaz Bhatti, a prominent Christian leader in Pakistan who is head of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA).

A statement issued by the APMA said:

"Christians and other religious minorities are being roped into false cases under the blasphemy law. They are being murdered by zealots …. This law is proving to be a sword hanging on the heads of non-Muslims and secular-minded people.

"The blasphemy law needs to be amended, if not altogether repealed, because of its great misuse. The law has created an atmosphere of bigotry and intolerance … a sense of insecurity and harassment.”

Commenting on the threats made to Christians in North-West frontier province, the APMA issued a statement saying:

"The Christians of Pakistan are already facing victimization and discrimination. Many innocent Christians are incarcerated and killed.

"Attacks on churches, Christian schools and other institutions have been experienced by the Christians of Pakistan in the past few years, and now the rise of vigilante groups and threats have aggravated the situation."

Bhatti may be onto something with his thinking, which may well get him killed. I hope he doesn’t fear being a martyr, especially in a country such as Pakistan.

‘Respect’ is a two-way street

When it comes to the U.S. and its dealings with Pakistan, hell, with the entire PakIndia and region, things are pathetic. In at least one country, Saudi Arabia, there are laws requiring American women — including American service women — soldiers! — to wear the traditional scarf that covers a woman’s head and face. This is ridiculous. What makes this even worse is that the U.S. not only bowed down, kissed the royal and probably unclean butts — the United States government actually created a MilSpec (military specification) for the scarf for female military personnel serving in Saudi Arabia. The scarf, a disrespectful item of clothing in the eyes of many, is issued by the U.S. military to all women who will be in or possibly in the area of Saudi Arabia and a few other countries.

During Gulf War I, under Daddy Bush, female military personnel were not allowed to sit in the front seats of vehicles. If I recall correctly, that was quickly rectified, and I believe women were eventually "allowed" to drive. How nice of the Saudi Arabian royal patooties, er, royal family. They are the same slime balls that lied to the U.S. after 9/11 about a few of the alleged hijackers. Such "allies" we have, huh?

Thoughts and observations

To the Christians in Pakistan: stand firm in your beliefs.

To the Islamic radicals in Pakistan: If this is your way of demonstrating that Islam is a religion of peace and love, well, let’s just say the world is watching, but that you may also be building up a lot of resentment around the world, and in the U.S., by your very actions. If you don’t want people "disrespecting" your long-dead Mohammad, then you need to respect others, as well.

The U.S. and other countries around the world really need to begin looking at potential "allies," as well as watching countries such as Pakistan that have "blasphemy laws" on the books in the 21st Century. If they cannot get up-to-date with laws, respecting individual rights, then perhaps these countries need to be kept from dealing with the world community.

Pakistan is more than willing to accept money and food from the U.S., especially after disaster strikes. The country is also willing to accept food and money from many other nations. A lot of the money and food, as well as clothing, blankets, and other items, were donated by Christians or were made available to Pakistan, as well as Muslims — not just in Pakistan, but around the world — so that double-standard can come back to bite you.

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Technorati Tags: All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, Americans, APMA, blasphemy laws, bomb explosions, Charsadda, Pakistan, Christian Today, Christianity, Christians, crime, death threats, dire consequences, Islam, Islamic, Mr Bhandara, murders, North-West Frontier Province, PakIndia, Pakistan National Assembly, Pakistan, Pakistan’s North-West Frontier Province, Parliamentary Affairs Minister, religions, religious, Rick Beckham, Saudi Arabia, Shahbaz Bhatti, Timothy’s Burden, un-Islamic

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