'E' IS FOR EVIL

I actually wanted to write on some other topic, but I think this one is more relevant to the times we live in. Yesterday I read about this young Bangladeshi atheist blogger who was hacked to death with an axe/machete/butcher's knife or some other sharp and heavy weapon. He had multiple stab wounds on his face. The way he was killed suggested that the murderer(s) was either very angry or absolutely sick in the head.

The blogger had supposedly written against religious fundamentalists. Or maybe he had written something blasphemous.

But I really wonder, which one is more evil? The one who wrote a few unsavoury things about the dark side of religion, or the  heartless and merciless people who kill in the name of religion? Such a shame. While a major part of the world is developing things to make living easier, some us are stuck in the dark ages and only thinking about taking lives.

'C' IS FOR CHRIST

I am a Christian from the Roman Catholic sect. With the holy week of lent going on, the first thing that came to my mind when I thought of the letter C was Jesus Christ.

The Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, when Jesus is welcomed into the city of Jerusalem with his disciples by the Jews, who mistake him as a political leader who will lead a rebellion against the Roman Empire. However, when they realise that they were mistaken, they plot to get him out of the way, in connivance with Jewish priests who level charges of Blasphemy. Maundy Thursday marks the day of Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples and his teaching them the important lesson of being of service to others by washing their feet. Good Friday is the day Jesus is arrested following betrayal by Judas, and charged for Blasphemy by the Jews. Subsequently he is crucified after a lot of torture and humiliation. Holy Week finally culminates with Easter Sunday, when Jesus rises from the dead.

Easter is actually a bigger festival for Christians than Christmas. Christians believe in the concept of redemption, forgiveness, and 'life after death'. For me, 'life after death' is not necessarily resurrection in the literal sense, but has more to do with having a second chance, or getting a chance to redeem one's self after initial failure. It is about repentance and starting life afresh.

As a Christian, I am proud of the fact that my religion is a religion of peace. The word 'Catholic' means all-embracing. I am also proud of the fact that our religious leader, i.e. the Pope is not shy of admitting mistakes and apologising for events in history where the Church was at fault. The fact that the Church is not rigid and fundamentalist, and is willing to move with the times is also a very good trait.

Here's wishing everyone a VERY HAPPY EASTER.

This post is written as a part of the April A to Z Challenge - 2015

SHAME AND HOPE

Image Source: Hindustan Times

An incident that took place in Afghanistan last week disturbed me.

A young 27-year old woman named Farkhunda, who was a religious teacher, was falsely accused of burning the Koran following an argument with a mullah. Subsequently, she was beaten to death by an angry (and sick) mob. They beat the poor woman with their fists, stomped on her, pelted her with stones and rocks, thrashed her with a wooden plank, threw her off a roof, and ran a car over her lifeless body. As a climax, they then burnt her body and tossed it over a bridge into a dry river. The worst part was all this happened in the capital city Kabul, in the presence of policemen.

The attackers (all men) were absolutely ruthless and without heart. In the video of the killing, some men can be seen giggling while committing their act. Kids, some as young as 7-8 years can also be seen witnessing the killing like as if it were some form of entertainment. Such a dastardly event made me feel that there was no hope for the human race - even wild animals are capable of better behaviour. And all this for what? God would never approve of such an act.

But what followed afterward made me take notice.

Apparently, there were huge protests in Afghanistan against the murder. The protesters were all women. Traditionally, it is the menfolk who stand as pallbearers while burying the dead. But these women did not allow any man to come forward to carry the body. Instead, they themselves carried the body and buried her with full honour.

This was a perfect example of woman power! I foresee a positive progressive change in Afghanistan due to this event. Hopefully Afghanistan, which is absolute hell for women, will become a better place for women to live in the times to come.

We can only hope for a positive change.