Dangerous Word? Pakistan Bans the Use of Jesus in Text Messages
Posted: Sunday, December 04, 2011
by Joel Kontinen
http://joelkontinen.blogspot.com/
Jesus is a dangerous word. Or at least this is what the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority has decided as it has banned the use of this name in text messages. It recently drew up a list of 1,600 words that Pakistani officials judged to be “offensive” to Islam. The explanation borders on the absurd since the ruling would in effect also ban the use of some passages of the English translation of the Qur'an, which, after all, mentions Jesus several times.
“And We sent, following in their footsteps, Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming that which came before him in the Torah; and We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light and confirming that which preceded it of the Torah as guidance and instruction for the righteous.”
The Qur'an acknowledges many facts about the life of Jesus Christ but it does not accept His Divinity or atoning death.
Most of the banned words – about 1,000 – are in English and the rest are in Urdu. Among these forbidden words is Christ.
The Telecommunications Authority has ordered cell phone companies to block all messages that include the offensive words.
What is almost certain is that the ban is primarily targeted at Christians and Christianity. As such, it amounts to religious discrimination. A Pakistani group has already said that the ruling violates freedom of speech.
The ban likewise ignores the spirit of Article 18 of the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states:
“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”
The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority should bury the ruling without further ado. Pakistan has a very poor human rights record. A case in point is the trial of Asia Bibi, a young Christian lady who is facing the death sentence for expressing her faith in Jesus in public.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Thanks for making some very important points.
If Jesus were only a prophet, then he would not be of such importance as to have his name banned, and his star would not shine so bright, nor his name offend so many. No religion is interested in banning Buddha or John Smith's name, maybe people should wonder why not?? Those are religions too. Christians have always been persecuted in other countries, and now Americans are beginning to feel it too. This will get worse as predicted.
Thanks again.
Thanks. Right. Jesus predicted that His followes would be persecuted - and that is happening, even (and perhaps especially) in our times.
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