If anyone, anywhere in the West thinks it's not a problem for Sharia law to take hold in a culture, OS suggest they view the BBC's account of this gentleman's funeral.
Thousands of Pakistani mourners have attended the funeral of murdered minorities minister Shahbaz Bhatti.
Mr Bhatti, a Christian, was shot dead on Wednesday by the Taliban after he urged reform to blasphemy laws.
There were emotional scenes as several thousand Christians buried their leader in his home village near Faisalabad.
Earlier, hundreds turned out for a church service in the capital. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told them his colleague had been "very rare".
Wednesday's assassination in Islamabad was the second this year of a Pakistani politician who wanted to reform the controversial blasphemy laws.
The article includes a brief video, prepared by Mr. Bhatti four months ago. He knew the likelihood of death by assassination was very high, and he was effectively resigned to it. It is a moving two minutes.
A correspondent at the funeral reports:
Bishop of Faisalabad Joseph Coutts told those present that the blasphemy laws - which Mr Bhatti wanted to reform - were being misused to persecute minorities.
Referring to those who would glorify the minister's murderers, he said: "We don't want to worship a God who rewards killers."
OS, as a child, would privately chuckle when missionary hymns such as 'We've A Story To Tell To The Nations' were belted out in church. He was wrong to do that. Those old hymn writers said things that arrogant boy, in his comfortable surroundings, did not wish to hear.
Where the Christian gospel is allowed to take root, freedom flourishes, and there is hope for the culture. Islam breeds violence, poverty and despair. Socialism breeds violence, poverty and despair. To refuse to speak the simple truth, in the interests of a pretense of civility, is to stand by while millions fall victim to the violence, poverty, and despair.
Shahbaz Bhatti was a Christian, a faithful devoted follower of Christ, who advocated for freedom and against violence. He is now a martyr, and an example to us all.
No comments:
Post a Comment