The antics of the CSF while no doubt motivated by genuine concern seem destined to do more harm than good. In addition, they seem based on ignorance rather than an enlightened position.
Take the example of their objection to "Jesus Christ" being on the list of banned words in Pakistani sms. The inquiry of the CSF has been "One wonders why gods of other religions have not been mentioned in the list and Christians, who are already facing persecution in Pakistan have been singled out for such treatment?" What the CSF does not seem to realize is that Jesus Christ, is a revered figure in Islam, as is his Mother the Virgin. Christianity does not therefore, have the sole control over respect being granted to Jesus Christ. A more sympathetic way of reading the ban on the use of this word, would have been to assume that the word Jesus Christ is often used as a swear word for example; 'Jesus Christ! did you see the size of that bitch's tits!!!' Such a use of the name of Christ is offensive not only to a Christian sentiment, but also to 'the glory of Islam', that holds Christ as a revered and special Prophet. Islam categorically does not begin and end ( it does end however) with the Prophet Mohammed. More worrying however are the tactics of the CSF which seems to merely mimic the troubling acts of the Hindu and Muslim rightists. A recent campaign has been against the dubious use of the crucifix in a Hindi film. While one can understand the discomfort and distaste in this action, the calls for a ban on the film, is to only recall the actions of Hindutva activists in a number of cases, cases that seriously threaten the secular environment of India, and the freedoms of minority groups. One should not forget that supporting a trend, will only lend legitimacy to such a trend, preventing any legitimate protest when the same ban is then used against minority groups (minorities of any character, not solely religious). The campaign against the film was supported by the hierarchy of the Bombay diocese, and it is a shame that even members of the hierarchy seem to lack the foresight that is expected of them. The CSF operates on the assumption of a persecuted Church. This may well be a fact. However the manner in which we respond to such a situation calls for a greater degree of caution. It calls for an expansion in the culture of freedom in the country, not for the kind of communally based campaigning that has thus far marked the actions of the CSF. with regards, and despite my differences with your strategies, in solidarity, Jason > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: 22 Nov 2011 15:27:27 +0000 > From: "The CSF" <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] > Subject: [Goanet] Pak Telecom Authority writes to The CSF on "Jesus > Christ" in the banned list. Two Imp. Announcements > Message-ID: <[email protected]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > > FW: From the Desk of... > Joseph Dias, General Secretary, The CSF > Catholic-Christian Secular Forum? > www.thecsf.org http://www.thecsf.org/ > ^Ecumenical ??^Evangelical?? ^Interdenominational > ? > > Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA) Responds to Christian forum complaint > PTA takes "Jesus Christ" off the SMS list of obscene words > PTA Director Ahmed Pirzada writes to Joseph Dias about it > > We have yet another reason to Praise the Lord. We added our little bit, by > merely emailing, joined by thousands. It shows how little it takes for the > LORD to bless one with success - Little is much, if it is placed in HIS > hands. To God be the glory - > > The Catholic-Christian Secular Forum (CSF), the Mumbai based activist > Christian NGO had in a letter to the Pakistan President, Asif Ali Zardari; > Communications Minister, Dr. Arbab Alamgir Khan and the PTA Chairman taken > strong exception to Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA) including Jesus Christ > in the list of "obscene" words in text (SMS) messages. The CSF general > secretary, Joseph Dias said "it raised serious concerns about basic > freedoms, like that of expression and religion in Pakistan. If such an > action was taken by a non Islamic or secular nation, singularly naming a > god of any other faith, there would have been a furore" in the > communication emailed to the Pak authorities. > ? > In a reply to Joseph Dias, a copy of which was forwarded to the Pakistan > authorities concerned, Ahmed Shamim Pirzada, PTA Director said the "list > forwarded to Cellular Mobile Telephony Operators (CMTOs) is tentative and > under review. Your point is considered and rectified in the revised list" > which has assured The CSF that words "Jesus Christ" were off the obnoxious > list. Earlier in his letter to Pakistan's authorities, Joseph Dias referred > to a letter by PTA's Director General (Services) Muhammad Talib Doger said > the order was legal under a 1996 law preventing people from sending > information through the telecommunications system that is ?false, > fabricated, indecent or obscene?. It also stated that free speech can be > restricted ?in the interest of the glory of Islam.? How does the words > "Jesus Christ" fit the above description? asked The CSF general secretary. > > ? > > "One wonders why gods of other religions have not been mentioned in the > list and Christians, who are already facing persecution in Pakistan have > been singled out for such treatment? This has hurt our religious sentiments > and hence urged that "Jesus Christ" be removed from the list. The CSF > expresses solidarity with the Pakistani Christians and had taken up the > issue, since it is difficult for them to raise a voice on the same" said > Joseph Dias. He thanked the Pakistani authorities for their prompt gesture > and hoped that such acts would not be repeated in the future. ----------------------------------------------------- Read my thoughts at www.dervishnotes.blogspot.com ---------------------------------------------------- For a successful revolution it is not enough that there is discontent. What is required is a profound and thorough conviction of the justice, necessity and importance of political and social rights. (B R Ambedkar) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
