Update from Afghanistan

Well, this is not hopeful news (link).

Afghanistan’s constitution recognises the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and thus freedom of religion; however, it also states that no law can contradict Islam. We will call on the people to tear him into pieces so there's nothing left, says an ulema.


So why even have it in there that you would follow the declaration on Human Rights?

“We will not allow God to be humiliated,” said Abdul Raoulf, a member of the Ulemas Council, Afghanistan’s main clerical organization. “We will call on the people to tear him into pieces so there's nothing left.”

To Christians God suffered humiliation and death for the love of all people. And triumphed over it all, and in doing so brought an unmatched dignity to His creations. How can God be so weak as to need Human beings to kill for Him? Or so petty as to need vengence above Mercy?

According to Afghan sources, thousands of young people are already converging on Kabul to demand the “apostate” be killed for renouncing Islam.

Muslim clerics don’t believe that Afghanistan’s constitution is an impediment. Even though Art. 7 says “The state shall abide by the UN charter, international treaties, international conventions that Afghanistan has signed, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights”, Art 3. clearly provides that “no law can be contrary to the beliefs and provisions of the sacred religion of Islam.”

Speaking to Asia Times Online, Ahmad Shah Ahmad Zai said that “[r]egardless of the court decision [whether or not he is hanged], there is unanimous agreement by all religious scholars from the north to the south, the east to the west of Afghanistan, that Abdul Rahman should be executed”.

Qucik sum up: We will kill him no matter what a court says.

A former prime minister in 1996 before the rise to power of the Talebans, Ahmad Shah added that there “is widespread dissent among the masses against the activities of Christian missionaries. These missions exploit the poverty of Afghan people and pay them to convert. These activities will only translate into a fierce reaction since Afghans do not tolerate anything against their religion”.

Ah...so to be Christian you must be insane or bribed. An old...old argument. How dare we give people food and charity when their own government refuses to do so. How dare we perform acts of kindness and love. A true Christian give and expects nothing in return, except that love will grow from love given.

God does not wish for vengence like a spoiled child when wronged. The death of Christ was for our sins, but not as a payment to a vengeful God. But as the will of a loving God, who seeks to make His creations closer to Him and desires that they not die forever. An sacrifice that resounds through time itself as a wave of Love.