Comments on: Nuristan Violence Part of a Years-Long Campaign?

By: Ex 18A

Ex 18A — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:45:26 +0000

God save us from Christian missionaries. They’re bad enough here in the US. They’ve done unimaginable damage abroad.

By: Toryalay Shirzay

Toryalay Shirzay — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:38:17 +0000

New and effective approaches are needed here.Using terms like conversion and the like are not effective with Afghans,may even be counterproductive.Here are some suggestions that will work: missionaries with skills in health,agriculture,simple income generating crafts will bw most effective.Here is the effective approach:Don’t talk about religion at all first especially converting to christianity.Instead talk about how the Afghans need new ideas so they can shake off poverty,disease,sick mothers,sick children,abuse of children ,etc;this will ring a bell with Afghans .Also talk about how to get rid of violence and killings by saying to them genuine respect must first be cultivated by each individual.Afghans like to hear why YOU Westerners are so successful and less miserable compared to Afghans such as respect for law,for telling the truth,respect for freedom of men and women equally,they be allowed to mingle freely as god intended and when Afghans don’t respect this,it leads to abuse of children,molestation of young boys and the ensuing violence which goes on from generation to generation and takes on many forms.Then later on after Afghans see some help in growing more crops and help with their sick mothers and children,they will be amenable to sayings such as how Christ cultivated peace,love, and brotherhood/sisterhood in all communities and how these communities then prospered instead of Muhammad and his zealeats forced people into their arab religion and brooght misery into communities ever since. There are alot more details i left out as this is not the right place.But if any of you out there who truly like to see the US/NATO succeed in Afghanistan,i have a lot ofexperience and experties which will make a diffrence and you should try to contact me here as i don’t know who to contact .Remember success in Afghanistan is very possible but only if you know the nuances,,the intricate details of Afghan society which is what i offer.

By: Joshua Foust

Joshua Foust — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:12:43 +0000

Actually, no. The various Nuristani ethnicities practiced a unique form of polytheism; in 1896 Emir Abdur Rahman forcibly converted them to Islam. They have never been Christians, with the obvious exception of a few individuals here and there.

By: michael craycraft

michael craycraft — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:08:30 +0000

Historically the Nuristanis, a light skinned-blue eyed people, have always been Christians. There was a forced conversion to Islam, perhaps in the early 20th century, but I don’t know how effective it was or presently is.

By: dennis

dennis — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:26:01 +0000

in some ways i must agree with you on this. but did not some villages say, don’t come here. we don’t need you.? but yes i would like to go to.

By: M SHANNON

M SHANNON — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:11:43 +0000

Please ask the Christian do-gooders to stay home. All they’ll do is stir up trouble and harm INGO morale when they get killed or kidnapped.

By: David M

David M — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:06:36 +0000

The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the blog post From the Front: 10/06/2009 News and Personal dispatches from the front and the home front.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:58:11 +0000

Yeah, I’m with you there…

By: Joshua Foust

Joshua Foust — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:50:12 +0000

Well, it was more the practical development projects, sanitation, and medical work that intrigued me. Also the chance just to GO, and see the place.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:27:38 +0000

Of course not (although I think there is a strong case for banning missionary organizations from this warzone), but since you are a big advocate of improving our strategy in Afghanistan, I found it curious that you were half-tempted to join an effort that essential serves as a recruiting tool for the Taliban in the end(those darn Crusaders stealing Muslims into other religions!)