Pakistan Child Activist Facing ‘Critical’ 36-48 Hours

2 Comments

1. 

   DR. CLARISSA PINKOLA ESTÉS, Managing Editor of TMV, and Columnist

   October 13, 2012 | 5:19 am

   as others in Malala’s homecountry have prayed for her to be able to recover from such a devastating injury from such a vicious attack: “May Allah bestow her with His blessings and grant her a long life…”

2. 

   petew

   October 13, 2012 | 9:59 am

   I don’t want to knock religious faith–not Christianity, not Judaism, not Buddhism, and not Islamic faith either. But, although it is touching that many are making a show of unity in support of Malala’s recovery by asking Allah to bless her and give her a long life, I would be much happier if all of us could allow this travesty to instruct our hearts about the absolute necessity to oppose these Barbaric types of personal and social repression, with our own human resolve.

   It is certainly true that Christians have also persecuted “non-believers” during our checkered history, but this fact cannot be used to put down religion itself.
   After all, Plenty of Atheists have also done horrendous things. However, we humans, as a species, ought to be a little more concerned with action–not just Prayers. In the end, isn’t it we who are the instruments of God’s work? Isn’t it only us that can actually work for political changes like this brave young woman has done?

   There are many who are quick to scream about Islamic fundamentalists when something like this happens, but remain relatively silent when the West-borough Baptist church disturbs the funeral of a young soldier—thanking God for delivering his wrath upon Gays, and carrying signs like “God loves dead soldiers” (perhaps not an 100% accurate quote) but we all get the idea about the offensive nature of their demonstration—one of our domestic forms of terrorism! And, as it turns out, the young soldier wasn’t even gay!

   Religious faith is fine, and prayer can be sincere and heartfelt. But let’s remember that even the Taliban is praying to Allah, that they be given the courage to prevail against Western imperialism, while preserving the values they perceive as the one true way, designated by their own version of God.

   I think there is a definite point to make about the futility of leaning on God, and expecting faith alone to change the world. Perhaps God really disproves of us leaning so hard on him, rather than calling upon the truth and justice written deep in our own human hearts!