Religious News: From Tractor Pulls to Petrol Bombs

A schoolboy argument over a tractor has led to a Christian village in Pakistan being looted and burned.

Lahore, July 2 : Over six hundred Muslims attacked Christians in Bahmniwala village in Kasur District of Pakistan after local mosques urged them to unite and "teach a lesson" to the Christians.

Angry Muslim mob, after accusing of blasphemy, destroyed Christians' houses, looted valuables and tortured Christian men and women ruthlessly.

At least 110 Christian families, almost 700 people, were forced on Tuesday night to flee the village. The families sought safety in the fields surrounding their village.

However, locals said the problem started when a Christian boy, Arif Mashi, was travelling on a tractor and asked a Muslim boy, Muhammad Riaz, to allow him to pass. When Riaz refused, the two quarrelled.

Following this incident, on Tuesday night, a mob attacked houses of the area's Christian community with petrol-bombs, destroying their electricity meters and thrashing any Christians they found., the Daily Times reported.

Read the rest of the story here…

Religious Insanity: 3 Pakistani Girls Killed for Wanting True Love

The European Union Monday has expressed outrage over the murders of three young girls in Pakistan's Balochistan province.

The murders were carried out by relatives, who disagreed with the wishes of the women who wanted to marry men of their own choice.

The 27-member European bloc called for a full investigation into the matter and said it was absolutely essential that those responsible for the killings be brought to justice.

A statement by the current French EU Presidency voiced its deep concern over the extreme forms of violence against women reported in Pakistan.

It urged Pakistan to comply with its international human rights obligations, and in particular the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, to which Pakistan is party.

The EU also urged the Pakistani government to take steps to eliminate all forms of violence against women.

Podcast: Bhutto's Legacy

Bullets and bombs may have killed Benazir Bhutto, but her faith in freedom and democracy will live on in the hearts of the people of Pakistan.

Podcast version here

Bhutto's Legacy

The suicidal satanic atheist who assassinated Benazir Bhutto yesterday cursed his nation’s journey towards freedom and democracy. The evil beasts that he represents, for I would not call those callous cowards who kill women ‘men,’ are probably gloating in their secret hideouts of shame, indecency, and inhumanity. I call them satanic atheists because they worship wickedness and hate God. They slaughter leaders like Benazir because they are afraid of letting hope captivate the hearts of the people, and want to retain control through fear, insecurity, and murderous mayhem.

Despicable despots like Bin Laden and his satanic associates seek to enslave the free world with their warped ideals and heretical beliefs. Their allegiance is to an Allah that does not exist, and offends the very goodness of God amongst the Islamic people. They are atheistic scum, schooled in the ways of terror and torture, fanaticism and faithlessness. Life is neither sacred nor holy to them; freedom and democracy are devilishly denied by their cowardly acts of cruelty, violence, and assassination.

The world knows better than to give in to their filth and lack of faith. In Pakistan, there are many moderate Muslims who will serve their Allah truly and triumphantly. And throughout the world, there are billions of people who are disgusted, enraged, and mobilized to stand together for justice, freedom, faith, and democracy, which will one day encircle the earth and pave its way all over this planet.

The creed of satanic atheism which states that “when wickedness persists and no one resists, evil triumphs” is a hollow threat to noble humanity. Bullets and bombs may have killed Benazir Bhutto, but her spirit lives and will not die in the hearts of her people. Freedom will be resurrected amongst the ashes of these cowardly assassins. Liberty will not be lost to those who truly value life. The pages of history will proclaim the noble name of Bhutto in the highest halls of glory and honor. Her killers will become dust beneath the feet of her people as they march towards the freedom that will be their honorable choice and glorious destiny.

Prayer: Almighty God, who gave us both life and liberty, we bring before You the nation of Pakistan. We pray for Your mercy and grace to be extended over its people and we solemnly ask that You will protect them from the evil that seeks to destabilize the nation. Raise up just and courageous leaders who will guide the Pakistani people to the light of liberty. In Your Holy name, we pray. Amen.

Blogachute #4

It’s time to blogachute once again, folks! I’ve been real busy and haven’t had time to get this done for two weeks. Wowsers. I really need to float through cyberspace for a while!

8000 feet - The Naked Pastor - not what it sounds like, thank goodness! David Hayward bares his soul, asking awkward questions about faith, Christianity and church. He also draws some darn good cartoons.

Oh, and if you like his musings, as well as drawings, you can buy him a cyber beer!

7000 feet - Please Convince Me – did you hear the one about the minister who was a church planter as well as a detective? Then you must have visited this site before. Pastor Jim writes this blog as a tool for outreach to those who have questions about religious issues. He calls it sharing the Gospel of grace with those who have questions. Some clever graphics here and great use of space.

6000 feet - Delectatio Dei – written by Jared Coleman in Sparta, Ohio. He’s part of a house church, so his web has an emergent, postmodern feel to it. His writings and questions have got a unique ‘edge’ to them. Well worth visiting if you are wondering what people in house churches are thinking.

5000 feet - World Magazine – A weekly news source, with Christian viewpoints, about what’s happening in the world. Some highly informative articles here and a great source for pictures for any teaching or presentations. The latest disturbing headlines are about Pakistan, which is currently undergoing a potential Talibani-style revolution.

4000 feet - God’s World News – this site is a great resource for homeschoolers for Bible study, as well as current news items and other classroom topics. The Bible study has a Greek/Hebrew study tool with audio. Well laid out and easy to navigate. Always interesting to see what people consider important for hoemschooling.

3000 feet - …Thousands and millions… - written and compiled by a young preacher/teacher from Manchester, England. Has some great podcasts on the site, but also gives a different perspective to the emergent church movement as it occurs in Britain.

2000 feet - Sounds of Grace – I must admit, I’m a fan of John Piper. I like his style and content of preaching. This webpage is a scriptural doorway to his notes from most of his sermons. Valuable notes can be gleaned here for your sermon preparation.

1000 feet - Pushing the Envelope – unashamedly promoting my cartoon site on current issues, politics, entertainment, etc…I may develop some sort of lectionary connection to it. Just drawing what’s on my mind right now.

Zero feet - back to earth!