Journeying through the final chapters of “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini I was reminded again about the Taliban and the tyranny they continue to wreak in the world. Some of my fellow Americans are naive enough to believe their reign has come to an end, but even a casual interest in current events would make many aware of the situation in the Swat Valley in Pakistan. Sure the Taliban are not the only evil in the world, and perhaps not even the worst. It would, however, be pretty safe to say that they do represent one of those most obvious, bare handed, expressions of satan himself apparent in the world today.

Another thing they are a modern equivalent of is what Christians refer to as Pharisees. The Pharisees of Jesus’ time were very similar to the Taliban in so many ways. They may not have carried Kalashnikovs, but they represented exactly the same evil. The most power consumed of them representing the ungloved hand of satan, murdering anyone who threatened to expose their true identity. Ultimately murdering Christ Himself!

Upon arriving overseas one thing became painfully clear. That perhaps our fascination with foreign and exotic places may be based solely on our complete ignorance of them. That ignorance leads to a tremendous pride in knowing even a tiny morsel more, and finally to a self indulgent belief that we are much more wise and spiritually knowledgeable than those around us. That is very dangerous ground.

So the fascination subsided, the place is not so exotic. The dust settles and something seems to beg for recognition. The fact that the Christians here could teach us a thing or two about trusting God.

In the U.S. churches preoccupy themselves with the likes of Marilyn Manson, or the author of the latest children’s fantasy books. Some list them among the most evil things in the world, claiming Dungeons and Dragons must certainly be a portal for demons. However, I’m persuaded we should learn something from the Taliban. They wear their evil like a medal of honor. The other thing they do, is advertise that the greatest evil comes in the name of god! Religious elitism. The Taliban’s whips and sticks may well be synonymous with some of the western Church’s committees and disciplinary actions. Do what we want you to do and we’ll heap rewards on you, disobey and you’ll never know what hit you.

In a fledgling Country where the institutions of man’s wisdom have yet to completely quell the unpredictable moves of those led by the Holy Spirit the lesson is loud and clear. As denominations continue to market themselves and establish their “truths” the contrast between religion and relationship is unmistakable. There are many still led by the the Holy Spirit and not by a list of policies. Many more than the Taliban, Pharisees, or the western church elite would ever tolerate. PTL.

Let’s pray for the maverick believers who trust God enough to choose the absurdness of faith over the safety and approval of others. Maybe even reconsider our own perspectives.