Open Letter: The Church, Silenced Across Pakistan Since 1947

At the dawn of the 21st century, does the Church still have a purpose? Can you have a part in it?

LEAD (Legal Evangelical Association Development)

(ISLAMABAD) - Growing persecution in Pakistan and Muslim extremist intrusion into the Christian faith and Church affairs is posing a serious threat to Church autonomy and our most Constitutional right religious freedom. Priests and Pastors; Roman Catholic; Anglican; Pentecostal; Church of Pakistan and all others are being proscribed,the Enunciation of God's Truth is being halted. In many places and on many occasions we are reported that Pastors are stopped to preach and to teach in open crusades and streets Evangelism to the people.

Faith based differences are Basis of Religious Warfare between Christians and Muslims

1. Bible

The inspired and inerrant word of God in the original manuscripts (2 Tim. 3:16). Christians

Respected word of the prophets but the Bible has been corrupted through the centuries and is only correct in so far as it agrees with the Koran. Muslims

2. Jesus

Second person of the Trinity. He is the word who became flesh (John 1:1, 14). He is both God and man (Col. 2:9). Christians

A very great prophet, second only to Muhammad. Jesus is not the son of God (9:30) and certainly is not divine (5:17, 75)) and he was not crucified (4:157). Muslims

3. Crucifixion

The place where Jesus atoned for the sins of the world. It is only through this sacrifice that anyone can be saved from the wrath of God (1 Pet. 2:24). Christians

Jesus did not die on the cross. Instead, God allowed Judas to look like Jesus and he was crucified instead. Muslims

1. Koran

The work of Muhammad. It is not inspired, nor is it scripture. There is no verification for its accurate transmission from the originals. Christians

The final revelation of God to all of mankind given through the archangel Gabriel to Muhammad over a 23 year period. It is without error and guarded from error by Allah. Muslims

2. Muhammad

A non-inspired man born in 570 in Mecca who started the Islamic religion. Christians

The last and greatest of all prophets of Allah whose Qur'an is the greatest of all inspired books. Muslims

How Pakistan Penal Code (PPC Laws) kept silenced Church?

Offences Relating to Religion

 Injuring or defiling place of worship, with Intent to insult the religion of any class:
Whoever destroys, damages or defiles any place of worship, or any object held sacred by any class of persons with the intention of thereby insulting the religion of any class of persons or with the knowledge that any class of persons is likely to consider such destruction damage or defilement as an insult to their religion. shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

2. Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting Its religion or religious beliefs:

Whoever, with deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the 'religious feelings of any class of the citizens of Pakistan, by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representations insults the religion or the religious beliefs of that class, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, or with fine, or with both.

3. Defiling, etc., of Holy Qur'an:Whoever willfully defiles, damages or desecrates a copy of the Holy Qur'an or of an extract therefrom or uses it in any derogatory manner or for any unlawful purpose shall be punishable with imprisonment for life.

4. Use of derogatory remarks, etc., in respect of the Holy Prophet: Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation or by any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiles the sacred name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.

How 1973 Constitution of Pakistan kept Church silenced?

Freedom of speech, etc.

Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court,[15][commission of] or incitement to an offence.

Freedom to profess religion and to manage religious institutions.

Subject to law, public order and morality:
(a) every citizen shall have the right to profess, practise and propagate his religion; and
(b) every religious denomination and every sect thereof shall have the right to establish, maintain and manage  its religious institutions.

Equality of Citizens only On Sex basis

25. Equality of citizens.
(1) All citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law.
(2) There shall be no discrimination on the basis of sex  [15]

Constitutional Discrimination With Christians

41. The President.
(1) There shall be a President of Pakistan who shall be the Head of State and shall represent the unity of the Republic.
(2) A person shall not be qualified for election as President unless he is a Muslim of not less than forty-five years of age and is qualified to be elected as member of the National Assembly.

91.The Cabinet:

(3) After the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, the National Assembly shall, to the exclusion of any other business, proceed to elect without debate one of its Muslim members to be the Prime Minister.

Why Church has silenced and abandoned itself from Religious obligations?

You can’t preach the Word of God truthfully without preaching with courage.

Church is fearful and fearsome.

There is not a single church or Pastor who is following and obeying the teachings of Jesus Christ and fulfilling GREAT COMMISSION in Pakistan. Church IS DEAD IN SPIRIT AND VISION, BUT EVERY pastor claiming to performing miracles same as Jesus. They are under the fear of persecution and have no courage to preach.They have no practically faith in this verse, 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10-11

Religious liberty for Christians in Pakistan.

In Spite of this, on every independence day of Pakistan, every Pastor and Church arrange programme and celebrate Independence Day of Pakistan in Churches, showing they are enjoying full freedom and have every right in Pakistan and spending a lot of funds on this Day. There is not a single Muslim Priest who celebrate this Independence Day in any mosque.Once there was time when pastors used loud speakers in Churches and now they are banned to use loud speakers in Churches but Muslims day and night using as they wish. They preach their religion in streets and Bazars (Markets) ,at public places where they wish to preach.

What Should the Church Be Doing?

Researchers James Patterson and Peter Kim concluded that Americans in virtually every region of the nation, "simply do not turn to God or religion to help them decide about the seminal or moral issues of the day" (The Day America Told the Truth, p. 199).

At the dawn of the 21st century, does the Church still have a purpose? Can you have a part in it?

Would you be part of LEAD to break this silence of Churh?

We are a group of Pastors,lawyers and teachers,we are motivated by Jesus to break this silence. We are working for the persecuted and for the growth of Gospel in Pakistan. We are working without any fear of persecution and spread The Word of God. We have every kind of care for Church according to the demand of 21st centuary. Our work is only for the Glory of Gospel and for the fulfillment of GREAT COMMISSION.

Special thanks to LEAD (Legal Evangelical Association Development)