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Afghanistan's
New Constitution Hinders Freedom of Religion
The US invaded Afghanistan had basically three
objectives... The first object was to remove the Taliban from power. The second
objective was to remove elements of terrorists cells which flourished in that
country for a long time who helped motivate and then plot various attacks upon US
citizens like the 9/11 attack...The third and final motive was to
create a democratic government...
In the new document drafted in
2003, it declares Afghanistan as a "Islamic Republic", and "Islam" as the
official state religion. While it's true people in other religions are
still able to practice, but as the new constitution points out; "Followers of
other religions are free to perform their religious ceremonies within the limits
of the provisions of law." All laws in general passed in Afghanistan must
be in agreement with Islam according to the new constitution. Political parties
who run for office or governing the country must be in line with this provision;
"program and charter of the party are not contrary to the principles of [the]
sacred religion of Islam." Judges who run the court system in Afghanistan
must have formal teaching either in secular law, or Islamic law. So if a
judge has no training in secular but does in Islamic law, he is still qualified
to run the court system in that country. Before the Taliban was removed
from power, there was no religious freedom whatsoever, and many of that
particular view still exists in the country.
Islam is not only religious in nature but political as well,
similar to Catholicism. The new Constitution in Afghanistan being govern by
Islam which may surprise some, and should draw concern
from Christians who live in Afghanistan as well as other Christians who live
elsewhere around the world. The mixture of a church/state religion has always
limited the rights of religious expression in that society, and no doubt it was
affect the way Christians can preach the Gospel in Afghanistan. Witnessing
will be most likely outlawed as Islam hinders the promotion of other religions
in countries where it has major influence.
"Let there be no compulsion in
religion” Sura 2:256
The Quran has evolved to the
copy of what it is today. The above quote certainly doesn't mean the same
thing as it once did, as newer verses have superceded it's importance.
And for whatever verse we abrogate and cast into oblivion; We bring a better or
the like of it;
knowest thou not that God is powerful over everything" Sura 2:106
So what may appear to be a free
country as far as religious freedom is now, may all Christians around the world
pray for the government of Afghanistan and for any church that might be there
serving the Lord.
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