If Religion Is The Answer

    Aids of the religious nature are often targeted and killed by insurgents. Such was the case this past week for a group of ten Christian medical aids who were unarmed and without security. A German, a Briton, two Afghans and six Americans. A Muslim driver was spared after reciting passages from The Quran and pleading for his Muslim life.

    None of this really shocks me. It should; it really, really should. A Taliban spokesman named Zabiullah Mujahid told the Associated Press that they killed the aids because they were "spying for the Americans" and "preaching Christianity." The Taliban also said the team was carrying Dari language bibles and "spying gadgets." Although I'm not surprised, I'm still sickened by the things that happen every day. According to NPR, civilian war deaths in the first seven months of 2010 have increased 6 percent in the same time frame as last year. But really, what can I do? Could I travel to some of the more isolated villages in Afghanistan or go to Kabul and preach the word of equality? Could I tell them that it doesn't matter what God you believe in, we all go to the same place? No. I can't. I can't really say some Americans are any better though. This to me (and please do not berate me for making such a dramatic comparison) is walking a fine line with the Westboro Baptist Church led by Harry Reid. You know, the man who is apparently on good enough talking terms with The Man upstairs that he's been told God Hates Fags. That piece of shit. No, Harry Reid hasn't killed anyone. But this is the lack of acceptance and the cumbersome hatred that continues to tear the world apart.

    Tom Little, who was among the ten dead aids had been living in Afghanistan for about 30 years. He spoke fluent Dari, raised three daughters, and survived both the Soviet invasion and civil war of the 1990s that destroyed a significant amount of Kabul. He was arrested in 2001 along with a few others and sent out of Afghanistan for trying to convert people to Christianity. Such wasn't really the case though, I believe. I think it's unfair to assume medical aid workers and teachers are trying to convert people to Christianity when really, they are a handful of the rare few who actually just want to help people. Yes, they are Christian. Yes, they may speak of their God and the salvation he brings, but I honestly don't think these people are on missions to raise little Christian minions.

   Although it may be a bit off topic, I would recommend this book on the troubles of Afghanistan, the Taliban, etc...