Magic Statistics

Two weeks ago in the Punjab province of Pakistan, a Christian teenage shepherd died of rabies after an Islamist “feudal lord” allegedly refused medical treatment to the boy.

Nasir Masih, 15, perished June 10 in the southeastern Village 48 NB, on the outskirts of the city of Sargodha, after the  landowner kept the severely sick teenager at his farmhouse to work and concealed his illness for 41 days, his family told BosNewsLife.

The Muslim landlord, identified as Nawaz Wirk, had no comment. The case has underscored concerns over Christian teenagers and younger children being held in slave-like conditions in this predominantly Muslim country. Struggling family members in rural areas often send children to landowners as they have no financial means to provide for their children.

The teenager’s parents were not informed until he was in the final stages of the disease.  Finally, he was taken to hospital, but it was too late.

Soon after, the landlord allegedly warned the parents not to inform police saying he would otherwise file a case of "blasphemy against Islam" against the Christian. Rights and church groups say blasphemy laws, which carry prison sentences and even the death sentence, have often been misused to settle disputes.

Christian politicians in Pakistan have urged authorities to prosecute the landowner.  The parents are still awaiting justice.

Previous related posts:

• Pakistani Christian fired after Muslims threaten employer
• Christians in Pakistan under intense pressure

The collect for today, the Feast Day of Saint Peter the Apostle, from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer:

O Almighty God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ didst give to thy Apostle Saint Peter many excellent gifts, and commandedst him earnestly to feed thy flock; Make, we beseech thee, all Bishops and Pastors diligently to preach thy holy Word, and the people obediently to follow the same, that they may receive the crown of everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Epistle: Acts 12:1-11
The Gospel: St Matthew 16:13-19

(This commemoration has been transferred from 29 June.)

Artwork: Francesco del Cossa, St. Peter (panel from the Griffoni Polyptych), c. 1473. Tempera and gold on wood panel, Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan.

The collect for today, the 6th Sunday after Trinity, from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer:

O God, who hast preparest for them that love thee such good things as pass man's understanding; Pour into our hearts such love toward thee, that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle: Romans 6:3-11
The Gospel: St Matthew 5:20-26

My good friend The Bishop of Pisiquid was kind enough to send me the June 24th issue (#535) of Atlantic Canada Frank ("Frank by Name, Frank by Nature").  I can see I'll have to add that august periodical to my regular reading list after, God willing, I move to Nova Scotia.

One article in Frank 535 is of particular interest to Canadian Anglicans.  Unfortunately, it's not available online, so I've taken the liberty of posting the text below.  (I’ve removed the names of some diocesan employees.)

BOOK SALE!  LAND SALE!
CHURCH BUSINESS IS BOOMING!
By Cella I. Taloff

The new era of Sue Moxley in a pointy hat is, I fear, beginning to look a lot like the corporate henchmen Fred Hiltz years.

Sue took over from Fred as the 15th Bishop of the N.S.-P.E.I. Anglican Diocese on Nov. 23, 2007.  When Fred ascended to Toronto The Good last June as the Anglican Church of Canada's new Primate, he left behind him a legacy of church closings, parish amalgamations and "greater pastoral units" that served the Diocesan bottom line much more than they did the faithful in the pews.

In April, the Sue-led Diocese Council shockingly voted to axe both Diocesan Book Rooms, deeming it was "time to conclude the ministry of the Diocesan Book Room."

The North Sydney Book Room in St. John's Anglican Church, 28 King Street, is the first to lock its doors.  Resident book clerk [name omitted]’s last day stocking the shelves will be June 20.

From now on, I guess, local parishioners will have to turn to Amazon.com when they feel like buying a religious gift, a prayer book, a hymn book, a church CD, or a brand spankin' new clergy shirt.

The Halifax Book Room, on College Street, located in the Diocese Centre, is staying open for the consumer-driven Christmas season, until December 31.  Manager [name omitted] oversees a workforce of three, store clerks [names omitted].

I'm not entirely sure if the Diocese is cutting its employees loose or if a more charitable arrangement has been agreed on, as Diocese executive director Cannon [sic] Gordon Reddon did not return my call.

But don't be surprised to see the Diocese Centre property handed over to a developer for another monstrous concrete erection, like the Chapter House abomination that David Zareskie's Greenwood Lane slapped behind the Cathedral of All Saints, quite possibly the ugliest edifice built in Halifax in the last few years.  (Which is really saying something! - ed.)

As I noted back in Frank 448, a church committee, led by the newly retired Cox Palmer probate guru and Diocesan Chancellor John Arnold, is tasked to unload every square inch of holy real estate to developers.

In other Anglican news, the Cathedral has a new rector, the Boston Red Sox-worshipping Paul Smith from Christ Church in Dartmouth.

And on May 23, Synod took a third ballot to elect Ron Cutler as Suffragan Bishop. Bishop Sue previously wore that smaller pointy hat.  Rev. Ron was the St. John the Evangelist Church pastor when the Sackville parish sold over 100 acres of land to developer George Armoyan (Frank 396).

I can tell I'm going to love Atlantic Canada Frank.

A one-year (26-issue) subscription costs a mere $54.95.  More info here.

By the by, Chapter House is a luxury apartment complex “nestled beside All Saints Cathedral” that the developer describes as “a sanctuary of gracious living in the heart of Halifax”.   Some units are still available for rent, from $1589 per month (for a measly 970 square feet) to $3400.  Photos of this hideous project are posted here and here.

c/p: Anglican Essentials Canada Blog

The collect for today, the Feast Day of Saint Irenaeus (d. 202), Bishop of Lyon, Father of the Church (source):

O God of peace,
who through the ministry of thy servant Irenæus
didst strengthen the true faith and bring harmony to thy Church:
keep us steadfast in thy true religion
and renew us in faith and love,
that we may ever walk in the way
that leadeth to everlasting life;
through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord,
who liveth and reigneth with thee,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

The Epistle: 2 Timothy 2:22-26
The Gospel: St Luke 11:33-36

Time for some hard-rockin’, high-energy music from the English power trio Muse.  This kickin’ performance of their monster hit "Supermassive Black Hole" was recorded at Wembley Stadium, London, 17 June 2007, and released earlier this year on the band's CD/DVD package H.A.A.R.P.

On the CD version, guitarist/lead singer Matthew Bellamy says by way of introduction: "This next song is for anyone who likes a bit of R&B".  Indeed.

An interesting tidbit (interesting to me, anyway) is that Matthew Bellamy’s father George played rhythm guitar for The Tornados, the first British band to have a number one single in North America.  The instrumental "Telstar" hit the top spot in the summer of 1962. I remember it well.

Ten days ago, Muhammed Parvez was charged with first-degree murder in the strangling death of his teenaged daughter Aqsa (at right).  Now her 27-year-old brother Waqas has been charged with the same offence.

It would appear that police have clear and convincing evidence that the father and his son planned and premeditated the girl’s killing.  Police also said they are investigating the possibility of charging others in connection with the homicide.

“It is certainly my belief others do have certain knowledge and may have some involvement,” said Inspector Norm English, who heads up Peel Regional Police’s homicide and missing person bureau. “Certainly, they may be a victim of circumstance or the situation they are in.”

Ms. Parvez, 16, was strangled to death in her Mississauga home on Dec. 10, after allegedly sparring with her family over her refusal to wear a hijab and other traditional garb. Her father, Muhammad Parvez, was quickly charged with murder.

This week, 27-year-old Waqas Parvez was taken into custody and also charged with first-degree murder, which suggests the killing was premeditated. Mr. Parvez picked up his sister at a bus stop the morning she was killed and drove her home to get a change of clothes. He had previously been charged with obstructing police for allegedly misleading investigators.

It is believed that the killing is related to the teenager’s refusal to wear a hijab.

Friends of the slain teen said she feared for her life and had been threatened by family members over a religious dispute in the weeks prior to her death.

They said their friend, known by those close to her as "Axe," had argued with her father over several cultural issues and her desire to shun the hijab, a traditional head scarf worn by females in devout Muslim families.

Waqas Parvez has been ordered to have no contact with other family members because all are actual or potential witnesses.  His lawyer says the family is completely shocked by the latest charge.

Previous related posts:

• Muhammed Parvez charged with first-degree murder in daughter’s killing
• Honour killings come to the West

The Supreme Court of Canada today issued an important ruling in a libel lawsuit that appears to have direct implications for the conduct of "human rights" commissions in this country.  On behalf of a unanimous court, Justice Ian Binnie wrote, "We live in a free country where people have as much right to express outrageous and ridiculous opinions as moderate ones."

The thought police at work in our HRCs would do well to take those wise words to heart (assuming they believe that Canada is still a free country).

A decision by Canada's top court Friday opens the door to greater freedom of expression in Canada without fear of legal action.

The Supreme Court of Canada has absolved former Vancouver radio personality Rafe Mair of defamation for a commentary in which he made reference to the Ku Klux Klan and Adolf Hitler.

The decision also broadened a key defence used by journalists in libel actions.

Vancouver media lawyer Dan Burnett says the Supreme Court of Canada decision revives the law of fair comment and clearer freedom of speech.

He said the court has removed the notion of fairness being the test for fair comment in media opinion pieces.

"Those kind of lead to censorship," he said. "It's a very welcome decision."

Using fairness as the test for fair comment tends to lead to censorship?  Ya think?

Today’s ruling could be another sign that the writing is on the wall for Canada’s “human rights” kommissars.

Previous related post: Toronto Star being set up for “human rights” complaint?

The collect for today, the Feast Day of Saint John the Baptist, from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer:

Almighty God, by whose providence thy servant John Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of thy Son our Saviour, by praching of repentance; Make us so to follow his doctrine and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and after his example constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth's sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Epistle: Isaiah 40:1-11
The Gospel: St Luke 1:57-80

Artwork: Donatello, Saint John the Baptist, 1438. Painted wood, Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, Venice.

That’s why we need “human rights” kommissars—to tell us what all those laws mean.

The equality laws of England and Wales are made up of 116 acts, statutory instruments, codes of practice, and directives.  They fill 4000 pages.  If laid end to end, they would be as high as 243 double-decker buses or as long as ten football fields.

The laws are out of date, confusing, inconsistent and, in some instances, contradictory.  They are, says Frances Gibb, Legal Editor of The Times of London, “an impenetrable thicket”.

So, what does the British government propose to do about this?  Pass another law, of course.

This week Harriet Harman, Minister for Women and Equality, will unveil ministers’ plans for a single Equality Bill, bringing together all the legislation on discrimination of the past 35 years — pay, race, disability — and also age and gender orientation.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission says this is doubleplusgood.

A new Act, the commission hopes, will move from prohibition (“you must not”) to permission (“you may”) and to positive encouragement (“you should”).

The next move is to command (“you must”), or else we’ll have you re-educated.

Last month’s article by Toronto Star reporter Noor Javed on the prevalence of polygamy among Muslims in Greater Toronto prompted a deluge of criticism and outrage, says the Star’s Public Editor Kathy English.  After careful investigation, Ms English judges the newspaper’s reporting “accurate, fair and balanced” and praises the personal courage of Ms Javed, who is herself a Muslim.

Some especially disturbing criticisms descended to personal invective.

One "open letter" that came to my office, the Star's letters page, and is now circulating in the online blogosphere, accuses Javed of demonizing Islam itself. "If your intention was to spark debate on polygamy in the community then the Toronto Star was not the forum for it," the letter states. "There is already ample anti-Islamic sentiment in the world and it is not befitting for a Muslim to add to it.

"As a Muslim woman, you had an Islamic obligation, to defend this aspect of your faith, not to deliver a further blow to an already bruised community."

No criticism of Islam allowed.

Aly Hindy, the iman of Saluhuddin Islamic Centre who openly told Javed that he has "blessed" numerous polygamous unions, now accuses the Star of bias against the Muslim community. In an email to several hundred people, now posted online, Hindy's son, Ibrahim, states that the Star has an "agenda" to "caricature" the Muslim community and Hindy as "backwards, as anti-women and even anarchist …"

Last week, Hindy submitted a lengthy opinion article suggesting that Javed had quoted him out of context and was inaccurate in her reporting. In fully investigating this, including listening to Javed's tape-recorded interviews with Hindy, I found these charges to be without merit. The Star declined to publish Hindy's article. We did tell him that the Star would publish a letter to the editor to clarify his perspective. He has thus far declined to submit a letter.

Maclean’s was hauled before several “human rights” commissions for refusing to publish an article by Muslims who didn’t like the Mark Steyn article.  The Star should prepare itself for the same.

h/t: Jihad Watch

The folks at FileMaker have developed personal database software called Bento, but if they want to sell the product in Canada, they need to brush up on their geography.

This graphic is posted at the “How To Buy Bento” page.

The USA has pushed Canada right out of North America.

h/t: Tom Gilson