Afghanistan has a member of the Islamic faith, now on trial for converting to christianity.  There are the wingnuts, that got us all into this mess, saying this is a bad thing. And then, there are those of us out there that couldn't think their way out of a paper bag over their head - that are bemoaning the fate, that Afghanistan is turning back into turmoil.

In fact, this is a very good thing.

Afghanistan has seen alot of change. There has been cell service implemented all over the country, quickly. The taliban are largely history. They've driven out Al Qaeda (file under real enemy of the United States, subfile "actual enemy location" please).

And finally, ultimately, they are still an economy driven by heroin, with an oil industry consultant at the head of government.

Really try to get into their minds. For us, we have the founding fathers - when it comes to government, we look to Thomas Jefferson, George Washington (a +good+ commander in chief ..), Ben Franklin.

Men that formed and shaped our constitution, and our way of life. But for the Afghani, its all about the Prophet Mohammed. Visualize what you think about Thomas Jefferson "behind every strong government lies a strong economy", or "the government that governs the best is that which governs the least".

Or George "you may call me Mr. president" Washington. Ben "super ace diplomat" Franklin.

Alright so now we have Mohammed "kill anyone who converts to christianity" Prophet of Allah.

It is a public trial, in a stabilized democracy, run by their own people who voted them into power (purple fingers rule!).

It will be done carefully - and in all likelihood the poor fellw will get off, with maybe a public beheading with a blunt sword, or maybe even less. Maybe they'll just flog him.

Its not ours to question, whether, just because you want to have gay married terrorists all over the place, you, as a liberal, want to have this guy taken out and shot just because he's an evangelical christian. You could do that, and sit there smug and sectarian, in the stands, with your thumbs turned down - and feed this christian to the lions, no questions asked. Because you live in a democracy.

Afghanistan is confronting, in a peaceful, civilized, and  to us, deeply unsettling way - the growing pains of becoming a modern country. The ancient Koran is a great book, and you must trust god.  That is all that can be said.

In the world of men, however, carrying out god's law, always means a humble servant of god must do the work - it is never entrusted simply to the lord, that whatever policies are out there, are the right ones - whether you're trying to start social change by politics, or reverse it - what Afghanistan is saying is that a court of men will now decide what to do. And that is a good thing. Remember, the words of the prophet Mohammed were won with wars drenched in blood. His black tomb sits in mecca. They could rise up as if the wars, were his message..

But instead, now.. we hear the sound... of silence..