Monday, January 9, 2017

(16) Comparing Modern Reformations

An American Reformation?
Contrasting America's Civil Rights struggle with the hopes for equality in Pakistan 


Could America's Civil Rights Movement be seen as a kind of American Reformation? 

Considering our Election of our first black President. How could we call it anything less?

 And how does this accomplishment compare with what is happening across the globe among other oppressed groups? 


What principles do you attribute to our success?



Below are a series of videos contrasting America's Civil Rights struggle with the current struggle in Pakistan including the freeing of Asia Bibi after eight years in solitary confinement. An event that literally turned that nation upside-down. 

In American History, the unelected Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is as famous as Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson.

King was a Baptist Minister, the son of a Baptist Minister, a man of emotional conflict. At a young age King struggled with depression and at age twelve considered suicide with the passing of his grandmother. At age sixteen, he struggled with his faith, questioning the claims of the Gospel and yet today Americans proudly celebrate his religious accomplishments.

Wrongly named Michael on his birth certificate, Martin lived up to his true given name, and like Martin Luther of old he was instrumental in bringing about a Reformation in America. Directed by the Gospel, his words and actions questioned America's status quo giving the majority of Americans the freedom to reflect on their lives and permission to act out of their consciences.

Pakistan today is locked in a Reformation conflict as well, but their historical foundations do not include the affirmations of the Gospel. Across the Islamic regions of the World, there are attempts at Reformation causing religious sects to fluctuate in influence power and allegiance and minorities suffer persecution.

The story below is that of an illiterate field laborer whose simple desire to be, Who she is In Christ" has turned her nation upside down through the murder of a governors, magistrates, and disruptive protests that shut the entire nation down for several days.

VIDEO 1 Asia Bibi is Accused of blasphemy 
in January 2009

VIDEO 2 Comparison in conditions to 
1961 U.S. Freedom Riders

VIDEO 3 Pakistani segregation like a 
WARSAW GHETTO filmed in April 2009

VIDEO 4 Conditions and expressions of resolve
 of Freedom Riders


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjN3EPgxaW4
VIDEO 5 Expression of resolve and the 
murder of Dr King April 4, 1961

VIDEO 6 Expression of resolve and murder 
of Governor Taseer January, 2011

VIDEO 7 Glorification of (convicted and executed) 
murderer of Governor Taseer

VIDEO 8 Commitment and murder of Minorities 
Minister Bhatti March, 2011

VIDEO 9 Protests and threats against Bibi's family with
release from prison after 8 years on death row Nov, 2018


VIDEO 10 Nation wide upheaval with Asia Bibi's 
acquittal November 1, 2018

VIDEO 11 Very informative and challenging lecture 
on historical reformations

VIDEO 12 Analysis of Nation wide upheaval 
November 1, 2018

VIDEO 13 Move to Canada and Hopefulness

Although we are a melting pot, America's central themes have historically hinged on Judeo-Christian faith claims. In these we are challenged to, "Identify Self," as "a Uniquely Created Person," formed in the image of our, "Creator." Each one of us flawed by sin, (our failures) and yet Redeemed through the tremendously expensive and intimately involved actions of a Loving God.

Subsequently we are responsible to Encourage and Seek the Welfare of our fellow man and Reflect the Benevolent Qualities of our Creator.

But I question? Will this generation meet the challenges we face? Will our process of education in amorality suffice? How will we address the flaws, once called sin? Will our families survive the challenge of unrestrained autonomy?

This is not the theme of today's culture. Today we have resigned ourselves to the precepts of Secular Humanism. Today we identify, "self," as the "Product of Progressive Evolutionary Events," autonomous, and ever adapting, blindly advancing guided by blind progressive hopes, thoughts and imaginations. 

We are the gods unto ourselves, and whatever "We Will to Become True," we will do on earth.
But more importantly... There still is time to repent? 

Questions? Start with the book of John in the New Testament.


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