Monday, November 29, 2010
Asia Bibi Still Under Death Sentence!
Conflicting reports still continue out of Pakistan concerning Asia Bibi, the Christian mother of four who has been convicted of blasphemy and sentenced to death. While it is possible that she has been released. The High Court of Pakistan has declared that President Asif Ali al-Zardari does not have the authority to issue pardons in blasphemy cases. Please visit www.persecution.org to find out how to petition for her pardon and express your concern over Pakistan's blasphemy laws. These laws are almost always used to settle personal grievances and often the accused are killed by mobs even if found innocent.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Important Documentary on Islam
Rachid, our brother from Morocco who hosts the Christian television program "Life TV," has produced a stunning and informative documentary on Islam. Using Islamic videos and texts and subtitled in English, this documentary will completely transform your understanding of Islam. This is worth the time to watch it.
Here is the video.
Here is the video.
Urgent Need - Life or Death
Please help save Sayed Mossa, an Afghani Christian who has been sentenced to death for his faith. His execution draws very near. Here is a link to an article on how to help him.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
What Travis Does at GA
Scanning the articles posted on the Aquila Report, I noticed my name mentioned in reference to a speech I gave at the last General Assembly of the PCA. The author posted a link whereby, if you advance the player, you can watch my short comment.
The comment was made in the midst of debate on the funding plan for the Administrative Committee of our denomination. I have objected for years that there is something morally wrong with taking money from the poor and giving it to denominational leaders to live in the upper middle class. There is a funding plan which would make the current voluntary system (if you like the salaries, go ahead and pay the money) involuntary (if you don't pay the money, then you don't have a voice at GA).
Ironically, I think the funding plan is actually a way to force wealthier churches to give. The problem is that they are avoiding the issues by trying to force everyone to pay and their using denominational resources to promote the plan whereby they force churches to give. And then the Stated Clerk chides opposition bloggers for speaking out against their plans. It's kind of like Hugo Chavez taking over most of the media and then threatening the remaining voices as if he's a victim of harassment.
This clip is a good example of why I don't think I should go to GA and why one of our Ruling Elders is going to try to keep me going.
Here's the link to the article, which contains the link to the video.
The comment was made in the midst of debate on the funding plan for the Administrative Committee of our denomination. I have objected for years that there is something morally wrong with taking money from the poor and giving it to denominational leaders to live in the upper middle class. There is a funding plan which would make the current voluntary system (if you like the salaries, go ahead and pay the money) involuntary (if you don't pay the money, then you don't have a voice at GA).
Ironically, I think the funding plan is actually a way to force wealthier churches to give. The problem is that they are avoiding the issues by trying to force everyone to pay and their using denominational resources to promote the plan whereby they force churches to give. And then the Stated Clerk chides opposition bloggers for speaking out against their plans. It's kind of like Hugo Chavez taking over most of the media and then threatening the remaining voices as if he's a victim of harassment.
This clip is a good example of why I don't think I should go to GA and why one of our Ruling Elders is going to try to keep me going.
Here's the link to the article, which contains the link to the video.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Asia Bibi Pardoned and Freed!
Pakistan Releases Christian Woman
Sentenced to Death for 'Blasphemy'
Washington, D.C. (November 22,2010)–International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that today the president of Pakistan has pardoned a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy.
Asia Bibi was sentenced on November 8 after a court in Punjab province found her guilty of making blasphemous statements against the Islamic prophet Muhammad. According to Pakistan’s blasphemy law, it is a crime punishable by death to blaspheme the Islamic prophet.
Her release came after intense international pressure by politicians and church leaders as well as coverage by several media outlets.
Asia has now been taken to an undisclosed location for her safety. In the past, Christians have been killed by vigilantes after being accused of blasphemy. On July 19, gunmen killed Pastor Rashid Emmanuel and his brother, Sajid Emmanuel, while police were transporting them from the court in Faisalabad to jail. The gunmen also seriously wounded a policeman accompanying them.
Some Muslim lawyers and other fundamentalist Muslims are preparing to demonstrate against Asia’s release.
ICC’s Regional Manager for South Asia, Jonathan Racho, said, “We are delighted to learn about Asia’s release and we would like to commend Pakistan’s president for taking the right action. It’s high time for Pakistan to repeal the blasphemy laws that have caused so much persecution against Christians and other religious minorities.”
Reposted from International Christian Concern.
Sentenced to Death for 'Blasphemy'
Washington, D.C. (November 22,2010)–International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that today the president of Pakistan has pardoned a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy.
Asia Bibi was sentenced on November 8 after a court in Punjab province found her guilty of making blasphemous statements against the Islamic prophet Muhammad. According to Pakistan’s blasphemy law, it is a crime punishable by death to blaspheme the Islamic prophet.
Her release came after intense international pressure by politicians and church leaders as well as coverage by several media outlets.
Asia has now been taken to an undisclosed location for her safety. In the past, Christians have been killed by vigilantes after being accused of blasphemy. On July 19, gunmen killed Pastor Rashid Emmanuel and his brother, Sajid Emmanuel, while police were transporting them from the court in Faisalabad to jail. The gunmen also seriously wounded a policeman accompanying them.
Some Muslim lawyers and other fundamentalist Muslims are preparing to demonstrate against Asia’s release.
ICC’s Regional Manager for South Asia, Jonathan Racho, said, “We are delighted to learn about Asia’s release and we would like to commend Pakistan’s president for taking the right action. It’s high time for Pakistan to repeal the blasphemy laws that have caused so much persecution against Christians and other religious minorities.”
Reposted from International Christian Concern.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Justin Borger's Book in the News
Kelly Kapic (Covenant College professor and author of multiple books) recently finished a new book in collaboration with Justin Borger. Justin is Bob and Jan Borger's son. The Chattanoogan has an article about the book here. Matt and Joan Vos are discussed in the book in one of the illustrations.
Highlands has the book on sale for $14.
Highlands has the book on sale for $14.
Friday, November 19, 2010
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