Boojatta
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Mon Mar-17-08 02:27 PM
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A continuum of doubt or disbelief or heresy. A continuum of faith. |
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Some people have claimed that Pakistan is ahead of the United States on the grounds that Pakistan has already had a woman as head of state, but America hasn't. Well, that doesn't sound like a particularly solid argument, but let's assume for the sake of argument that the conclusion is not completely wrong, that for at least some important aspects of women's rights, Pakistan is ahead of America.
Pakistan also happens to be a country that has laws against heresy, and those laws have apparently been enforced recently. It occurs to me that an American non-profit organization staffed by people who are very familiar with what officially constitutes heresy in Pakistan might establish branches in Pakistan. The goal could be to offer free study groups in religion for women who are studying beyond the high school level.
Women identified as on the border between heresy and non-heresy could be given an opportunity to study in America -- assuming that Pakistan doesn't forbid adults from leaving Pakistan. Women who accept the offer of a free trip to America followed by at least a semester of study in America could then be helped to become permanent residents if they had that desire. That might free the government of Pakistan from worry about the development of strongholds of heresy in Pakistan.
It might also expose more Americans to Pakistani culture. Of course, religion is one part of culture, but many Americans probably recognize that, to acquire any knowledge of the legally enforced principles of religious orthodoxy in Pakistan, it is necessary to consult the official government authorities in Pakistan.
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