“The Supreme Court upheld its decision to overturn Asia Bibi’s conviction and death sentence.” —BBC Reports.
Amnesty International is now calling for Ms. Bibi’s freedom, and that Pakistan’s Supreme Court not entertain further requests to rescind its overturn of the conviction.
“This shameful delay in enforcing Asia Bibi’s rights only reinforces the need for the Pakistani government to repeal the blasphemy laws as soon as possible, as well as other laws that discriminate against religious minorities and put their lives in danger.” —Amnesty also said in its statement.
“Pakistan’s blasphemy laws,” said Amnesty,” are over broad, vague and coercive. They have been used to target religious minorities, pursue personal vendettas and carry out vigilante violence. On the basis of little or no evidence, the accused struggle to establish their innocence while angry and violent groups of people seek to intimidate the police, witnesses, prosecutors, lawyers and judges.”
Reading Amnesty’s statement on the blasphemy laws reminds me of the Salem Witch Trials (Massachusetts 1692-93) in which a simple accusation was a death sentence. Hum. Reminds me of America during Senator Joseph McCarthy’s own brand of witch hunt.
It also reminds me of the current state of America and the “Me Too” movement. Lives ruined by an allegation, whether true or false, with but a simple statement.
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” —Exodus 20:16
Generally this is thought of as lying in court and slander, which be are very conscious of with the “articles” published in Enquirer and similar “newspapers.” [using the term loudly.] It seems to me that often forgotten these days is the biblical injunction that no accusation may be brought against a person unless there are multiple witnesses. In the event one is tempted to discard this as so Old Testament, hear what Apostle Paul said: “Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.” —2 Corinthians 13:1)
An article in CBN goes into greater detail, showing a fuller meaning for bearing false witness.
“But the commandment against bearing false witness has a much broader application. Outside the context of the courts, it is termed slander. It is possible to bear false witness or slander by spreading rumors. For example, a well-known gospel singer was picked up in Los Angeles because of his careless driving. A search of his car revealed some white powder, and he was booked on a drug charge. It turned out that the white powder was a diet mix, and so the singer was discharged from his arrest and confinement.
“It was too late to stop the false rumors that this man was involved in drug dealing. These rumors hurt the man’s career and reputation. Those who spread them were guilty of bearing false witness.” —CBN. [ I think that singer was Andre Crouch. ]
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
From The Second Coming by W.B. Yeats
Perhaps the L-RD will now allow Ms. Bibi to have a G.O.O.D Day (Get Out Of Dodge), hop a plane to Canada, be welcomed, and be reunited with her family.
L-RD Bless, Keep, Shine. . .
Jonah’s Song 