We Are Not Made To Be Robots

"The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.'" - Psalm 14:1a

The famous atheist/philosopher, Bertrand Russell, said in his book, Why I'm Not a Christian: "There is one very serious defect to my mind in Christ's moral character, and that is that He believed in hell. I do not, myself, feel that any person who is profoundly humane can believe in everlasting punishment." And here is how the scholar C.S. Lewis responded:

"How could God be loving if there was not hell?"

While that sounds like a bit of twisted logic, it is actually a brilliant observation. Let me explain. If someone has rejected God all of their life, the last place he wants to spend eternity is with the very one he rejected.

God loves us enough to give us the freedom to decide about a relationship with Him. God did not make us robots programmed to do right. He made us human. And humans are made in the image of God. That means we can think, we can reason, we can make choices.

God desires a loving relationship with us. And if we choose to reject God, then certainly He is going to give us the freedom to continue to be separated from Him. Love does not force certain behavior. Love gives the privilege of rejection.

God allows all mankind the freedom to choose and to decide. How could God be a loving God if He didn't?

Prayer for the Day:

Loving God we praise and worship you because you are our creator and redeemer. Thank you for your great and everlasting Unchanged love.

Amen Shalom

Rev.Noble Samuel Heston Asian United Reformed
Church Founder & Director Asian Gospel Ministries International
 www.agmiuk.org


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Address : British Pakistani Christian Association

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Essex

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Christians attacked in Phool Nagar!

Lead reports on another attack on Chrustians this time from a village called  Phool Nagar.  We report on this story prima facie:

                                              

Mr.Patras works as stitch operator in a Factory, in Phool Nagar. on Eid-Ul-Muladul Nabi he was on holiday and was at home with his family members.  Some Muslims drug sellers passed by front of his door at near about 5:30 PM evening .They opened fire at his door and when he came out from his house to see what happened, he was  fired upon.  Mr Patras ran away from the house to save his life.

Mr.Patras told other Christians about theincident .  Some Christians thought that they should tell  locally known respectable Muslims about the attack in hope they would intervene. 

Those  respectable Muslims obtained guns and opened fire at the Christian petitioners and made them stand in a row.They made verbal threats "if any one of you  submit any application against any Muslim in a police station, we  will kill you".They also said "you are Christian insects and have no power to do any thing against us", and "you are slaves and trivial and tiny before us, we will burn your houses and church" said Mr Patras.

Other Christian have made similar reports to Lead and feel under threat from the drug sellers.

A local man said;

"There were already many criminal cases against these dealers and they don't care, what will be the benefit of submitting an application in a Police station against them?",He also added that he was worried about his children.

Some Christians  reported that such incidences happen often, that they ahve become a target and cannot avoid the attacks.  They do not feel safe in Pakistan and fear that their livlihood could be taken away form them at anytime..

Sardar Mushtaq Gill advocate and Chief of LEAD strongly condemned the attacks. he said;

"These attacks cause great insecurity amongst Pakistani Christians, the Government must take some strong steps to eliminate such elements from society."
  

LEAD is a Christian relief,development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with Children,families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.As followers of Jesus,we are motivated by God's grace and love to serve all people regardless of race,religion gender or ethnicity. 



If you would like to donate to the work of the BPCA please use the following details:

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You can also send your contributions by cheque payable to;

British Pakistani Christian Association.

Address : British Pakistani Christian Association

57 Green Lane

Ilford

Essex

IG1 1XG 

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Sort Code: 20-67-90 

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Faisalabad Church attacked by 4 gunmen - culprits siad to belong to Pakistani authorities!

Here is a very disturbing letter we have received from a pastor who is obviously very frightened from an alleged attack on his church.  We ask Christians to pray for justice in this incident, we report on this story prima facie:

Dear Brother and Sisters,

I want to share with you all a terrifying incident took place on 27 Jan 2013 at 1:00 pm, when some Muslim extremists attacked on my home and Church in Faisalabad.

I am the Senior Pastor and Minister of  ‘Christian Life Ministry’ (CLM) Church, Faisalabad since 2003.  We have a strong congregation and members worship regularly most evenings; every Sunday our church is full of faithful members.

                                                                                                       

The Church is a registered Pentecostal Church with the Government of Pakistan since 2003.  We are located at [We have been provided with an address that we keep anonymous].

During the incident a group of 4 gunmen on motorcycles (without number plates) came to thefront gate of my church and started firing in the air.  They abused Christians and shouted threats that they would "not spare any Christians today". 

At once I called the police and neighbours for assistance and the safety of parishioners. In the meanwhile the attackers kept firing and abusing Christians.

A large number of Christians gathered at the end of a local alley and tried to capture the gunmen, responding to my request for help. 

Our Christian community ran toward the Pastors home and Church to save us.  When the attackers saw the large numbers of people coming to our aid they started firing in the direction of the crowd, whilst trying to make a getaway.

Two gunmen along with their guns and motorcycle were captured by our vigilant community.  Soon the police arrived and took control of the event arresting the extremists. 

My nephew Faisal (an advocate) and I went to Gulberg Police station and registered an FIR against the perpetrators.  During investigation it was revealed that one attacker was a policeman and another was a member of Pakistan armed forces. Two of the assailant escaped the scene of the crime.

Local Police registered the FIR.No;52/2013 at police station Gulberg,Faisalabad. Please pray for the safety of our Church and Christians living in my area.

From Senior Pastor Ajman Chaughtai

CLM Church Faisalabad, Pakistan.

If you would like to donate to the work of the BPCA please use the following details:

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You can also send your contributions by cheque payable to;

British Pakistani Christian Association.

Address : British Pakistani Christian Association

57 Green Lane

Ilford

Essex

IG1 1XG 

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Sort Code: 20-67-90 

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Blasphemy Appeal for Younis Masih adjourned till February!

Younis Masih’s appeal against his  death sentence and fine of Rs.100,000 under a blasphemy sentence dating back 7 years was adjourned till February.  

Legal Evangelical Association Development (LEAD) tells us:

The trial was conducted by "Legal Aid for Destitute and Settlement" (LADS) lawyers and an appeal was also filed by LADS's lawyers in June,2007 bearing Murder Ref.263 of 2007 and appeal No.711 of 2007, in Lahore High Court.  The death sentence of Younis Masih which was reopened in September 2012  following these applications.

The court hearing of the blasphemy case was fixed for 23rd January 2013 and Mr Sardar Mushtaq Gill advocate with LADS's team was present during the court hearing.  When the call for arguments was made, there were about 40 Muslims ,who were present wearing black turbans, they were makings gestures and comments with intent to cause fear and apprehension.

Feeling the pressure, Naeem Shakar Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan requested a non-public trial in the Court Chamber.  The presiding judge however encouraged the defence and prosecution by saying;

 "There is no need to be scared, we will discuss this case in an open court",

The state lawyer then requested an adjournments as he alleged that he had not yet received the case file.  Justice Najam-Ul-Hasan ordered for the a date for another hearing to be fixed by early February. 

Mushtaq Gill from Lead informed us of another blasphemy case: 

"The blasphemy allegation on Younis Masih mirrors one given to Martha Bibi also accused under blasphemy law.  She is also currently undergoing a trial and we are shocked that the wording of both allegation is virtually the same on both?  Martha Bibi is on bail which was allowed in 2007, her trial is being conducted and is under the final cross examination."

Please pray for a just court decision in both these trials.

Read more on the story of Younis Masih here:

(Click here for more details)


Show support for Younis by joining our London protest and Trafalgar Square Peace Concert 2nd March 2012:

(Click Here for more details)

If you would like to donate to the work of the BPCA please use the following details:

Pay by using the PayPal facility on the top right hand corner of our blog and electronic means of transfer will be initiated when you click donate written in the yellow oval. 

You can also send your contributions by cheque payable to;

British Pakistani Christian Association.

Address : British Pakistani Christian Association

57 Green Lane

Ilford

Essex

IG1 1XG 

Alternatively should you wish you can pay by BACS, direct debit or standing order by paying into the following account details: 

Sort Code: 20-67-90 

Account Number: 63468976

Sikh Businessman Abducted in Peshawar Pakistan

Report by Jas Uppal of the Free Sarabjit Singh Campaign.

Fears grow for the safety and welfare of Mr Raghbir Singh a 40 year old  Sikh businessman from Peshawar who was abducted by armed men and bundled into a car as he was returning home from the Gurdwara.

This is yet another case bearing all the hallmarks of a case targeting minorities in Pakistan. Earlier this year Mr Mohinder Singh,  a Sikh man was discovered beheaded in the Khyber region of Pakistan. The Tawheedul Islam militant group claim responsibility for the murder. Despite their admission, the perpetrators continue to remain free at large and unpunished.

Attacks on minorities in Pakistan continue with impunity. The Pakistani Governments repeatedly fail to bring the perpetrators to justice. It seems that the attacks on minorities are not deemed to be a priority for the Pakistani authorities unless they are highlighted by the international community as happened in the case of Rimsha Masih, the 14 year old Pakistani Christian girl suffering from Down's syndrome who was wrongly accused and charged with blasphemy.

It was pressure from the international community including  support from the international Christian faith groups as well as the ensuing publicity which forced the Pakistani authorities to take the matter seriously and apply the rule of law which resulted in the serious charges being dropped against. I am confident that had the case not been highlighted and had the international community not intervened, Rimsha's fate would have been death.

The Hindu and Sikh community form less than two percent of Pakistan's population. Like the Pakistani Christian and Balouch communities in Pakistan, they too are subjected to daily attacks, disappearances, discrimination and murder. The Pakistani authorities fail to record or investigate these crimes let alone prosecute the perpetrators.

The international human rights agencies and politicians fail to intervene. Their intervention is long overdue. For far too long their interest is disproportionally focused on the never ending troubles in the Middle East.

Amazingly, Pakistan was granted a seat on the UN's Human Rights Council in 2012 without any regard or reference to its abysmal record in relation to human rights. European countries including the UK continue to donate considerable aid to Pakistan without examining or monitoring its human rights record.


News reports:

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-23/chandigarh/36504486_1_minority-sikh-community-gurdwara-peshawar

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/abducted-sikh-beheaded-by-militants-in-pakistan/1/241524.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20409785

http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/world/sikh-americans-demand-protection-of-minorities-in-pakistan-10157.html

Dan Wooding (USA) receives BPCA Award for services to Pakistani Christians

The adorable Dan Wooding with his trophy!

We will be uploading images and biographies of the winners of the international winners of our BPCA Awards 2012.  This week we are posting a biography and photo of Dan Wooding who was a very close runner-up in the "Best help from non Pakistani-Christian"category.  This ward was for people of any faith or country that have been working for the good of our people.  Dan has been using articles through his internet based magazine ASSIST News service, to highlight the persecution faced by Pakistani Christians.  Quite frankly, without his work many news stories would simply not have made it outside of Pakistan.  Here is his biography:

Dan Wooding, 72, who was born in Nigeria of British missionary parents, is an award winning British journalist now living in Southern California with his wife Norma, to whom he has been married for 49 years. They have two sons, Andrew and Peter, and six grandchildren who all live in the UK. He is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times) and the ASSIST News Service (ANS) and he hosts the weekly “Front Page Radio” show on the KWVE Radio Network in Southern California and which is also carried throughout the United States and around the world. Besides this, Wooding is a host for His Channel Live, which is carried via the Internet to some 192 countries. Dan recently received two top media awards -- the “Passion for the Persecuted” award from Open Doors US, and as one of the top “Newsmakers of 2011” from Plain Truth magazine. He is the author of some 45 books, the latest of which is “Caped Crusader: Rick Wakeman in the 1970s.”


If you would like to donate to the work of the BPCA please use the following details:

Pay by using the PayPal facility on the top right hand corner of our blog and electronic means of transfer will be initiated when you click donate written in the yellow oval. 

You can also send your contributions by cheque payable to;

British Pakistani Christian Association.

Address : British Pakistani Christian Association

57 Green Lane

Ilford

Essex

IG1 1XG 

Alternatively should you wish you can pay by BACS, direct debit or standing order by paying into the following account details: 

Sort Code: 20-67-90 

Account Number: 63468976

Free Younis Masih!

Younis Masih

Younis Masih imprisoned under the blasphemy law of Pakistan since May 30th 2007, suffered a serious heart attack 8 January 2013.

His sentence which has spanned 7 years is currently up for appeal and has been detailed in Lahore High Court since 17th January 2013. Today Chief officer for Lead (a Christian Advocacy group in Pakistan) Mr Mustaq Gill said;

"Extremist individuals gathered inside and outside the courts, intent on preventing justice and a fair trial!"

The case has been adjourned for 23 January 2013 for final arguments.

Some brief facts surrounding Younis’s trial:

Younis Masih a 27 years old Christian man, resident of Chungi Amer Sidhu, Lahore was arrested under the charges of blasphemy on September 10, 2005. 

On Saturday evening 9th September 2005, Younis Masih went to the house of Baba Chaby, where a late evening Qawali (Muslim religious song event) was being held.  Musicians were singing at high volume. Younis politely asked the group not to sing so loudly, as his nephew had recently died and they were in a period of mourning and his family were being kept from sleeping.

Baba Chaby refused to turn down the music. When Younis Masih further pleaded for a lowering of the volume, the revellers became angry and abused him.  To avoid incident Younis Masih returned home .

The next day, the Muslim men who had been listening to the music discussed the issue with an extremist group and incited them to take action against Younis.

The perpetrators of the allegation searched for Younis Masih and found him playing billiards at a local hall. They started to thrash him with snooker cues and beat him till he fell unconscious. His wife attempted to intervene to protect him, she too was badly beaten and her clothes were torn to shreds.  Some reports allege she was raped.


The attackers left Younis Masih lying on the ground unconscious.  With the help of his cousin Noble Masih his wife was able to get him home. When Younis Masih regained consciousness, she and Noble Masih went with Younis to the local police station to register a complaint. The Station House Officer (SHO) of the local Police promised to investigate the incident.

Whilst a police was being filed by Younis Masih  announcements were being made in area Mosques, instigating the local Muslims to attack and burn Christian’s houses.  The public addresses were informing local  Muslims that Younis Masih had committed a blasphemy, by uttering derogatory remarks against the prophet Muhammed.

An angry mob of 400 protesters armed with sticks and bricks attacked and ransacked Christian houses in his village.  Causing damage to residential properties and the local Churches.  Attacks on the churches resulted in bibles being strewn across the streets.

As a result of the attack over 100 Christian families were forced to flee Chungi Amer Sidhu, fearing for their lives they took shelter with friends and family.  Many have not returned as they feel unsafe in this village.

The angry mob surrounded "Factory Area Police Station" and demanded a blasphemy case be registered against Younis Masih.  The mob refused to leave until they were shown a copy of the First Incident Report (FIR). 

Local police registered a blasphemy case against Younis Masih under section 295C.  The FIR number was 723/2005 produced at factory area police station Lahore September 10th 2005, at 7:30 pm.  The FIR was shown to the baying mob.

Police then arrested Younis Masih and his cousin Noble Masih, who were already sitting in the police station whilst lodging their complaint with police. Both Cousins were brutally tortured in public, by local Police and sent to Kot Lakhput Jail for detention.

On May 30th 2007 at Lahore Court Younis Maish was charged under the blasphemy law, was fined 100,000 rupees and sentenced to death.

We pray that the court upholds his appeal and that Younis Masih is set free.  We call on humanitarians of all walks, to support our call for his freedom.

Show support for Younis by joining our London protest and Trafalgar Square Peace Concert 2nd March 2012:

(Click Here for more details)


If you would like to donate to the work of the BPCA please use the following details:

Pay by using the PayPal facility on the top right hand corner of our blog and electronic means of transfer will be initiated when you click donate written in the yellow oval. 

You can also send your contributions by cheque payable to;

British Pakistani Christian Association.

Address : British Pakistani Christian Association

57 Green Lane

Ilford

Essex

IG1 1XG 

Alternatively should you wish you can pay by BACS, direct debit or standing order by paying into the following account details: 

Sort Code: 20-67-90 

Account Number: 63468976