Row Houses on Poplar Street, Philadelphia, PA, Author Davidt8 (PD)
The following is excerpted from the Fall Edition of Ministry Briefs 2025, the newsletter of Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia (CLCP) https://clcphila.org, a faith based organization for the poor whose predecessor I was privileged to co-found. The article is by Brendon Sylvester, the Christian Legal Clinics Administrator.
Please, consider donating to CLCP, if you are able. And, please, do pray for the poor.
“Often, when our clients come to us, their legal troubles are the smallest among an army of troubles. Pamela came to us with an estate issue: her sister wanted to cut her out of the administration of a parent’s estate…But she was also going through immense mental health difficulties related to being harassed and bullied at her job. It had gotten so intense that she had taken medical leave due to depression and post-traumatic stress.
The week of the clinic, she had a full breakdown. And though was was able to pull herself together just enough to make it to our clinic, she was visibly struggling. Our attorney, Keith…asked about why she was on medical leave. ‘I mentioned something,’ she said later, ‘and the Holy Spirit tole him I was in a deep, dark place.’ Keith, who’s a deeply faithful man, turned the legal advice session into a pastoral guidance session. ‘He told me, “you cannot return to the workplace. You’ll be triggered and you will relapse…'”
It was bold of him to give that advice. But it was exactly what Pam needed. ‘I knew I couldn’t go back,’ she said. ‘He saved my life.’
After that, she kept coming back to CLCP. She had multiple consultations, had her own estate documents drafted, and brought family and friends to us with their legal issues. Finally, in 2024, she started volunteering with us as a scheduler for one of our clinics. ‘I’m very intentional about where I volunteer,’ she said. ‘I volunteer where my values are.’ Pam saw God move through Keith to touch her life. Her response was to place herself so that God could move through her to touch the lives of other CLCP clients.”
READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse and More
https://avoicereclaimed.com
“The Resurrection” by James Tissot (1886-1894), Brooklyn Museum (Accession No. 00.159.328), Source/Photographer Online Collection https://brooklynmuseum.org/collection (PD)
“But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him’” (Mark 16: 6).
Wishing you all a Happy Easter!
READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse and More
https://avoicereclaimed.com
“Am I a stone, and not a sheep, That I can stand, O Christ, beneath Thy cross, To number drop by drop Thy blood’s slow loss, And yet not weep?
Not so those women loved Who with exceeding grief lamented Thee;
Not so fallen Peter, weeping bitterly; Not so the thief was moved;Not so the Sun and Moon Which hid their faces in a starless sky,
A horror of great darkness at broad noon – I, only I.Yet give not o’er, But seek Thy sheep, true Shepherd of the flock; Greater than Moses, turn and look once more And smite a rock.”
–Christina Rossetti, “Good Friday”
READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse and More
https://avoicereclaimed.com
Fourth Station of the Cross, Christ Meets His Mother, Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem, Author Anton 17, (CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported)
The Stations of the Cross commemorate select events during Christ’s final hours [1][2]. The Stations originate from the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem, a processional route tracing the path Christ followed on His way to Calvary.
Generally displayed around a church as individual paintings or carvings, the Stations of the Cross serve as the basis for a devotional often observed during Lent. Prayerfully considered, the Stations afford believers an opportunity to reflect in a profound way on Christ’s suffering and His sacrifice for them [3][4][5][6].
The denominations which observe the Stations of the Cross include the Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Church, Lutheran Church, and Methodist Church. Read more…
“The Apostle Saint Peter” by Peter Paul Rubens (1610-1612), Museo del Prado (Accession No. P001646), Source/Photographer Uploaded to en.wikipedia by Wlkernan (PD)
St. Peter, originally called Simon, was a native of Bethsaida, a Jewish village near the Sea of Galilee [1][2]. This would suggest that he came from humble beginnings. The Gospels, also, suggest that he had a fiery disposition.
Appropriately enough, Peter and his brother Andrew were fishermen. Instead, Christ invited them to become fishers of men (Matt. 4: 18-20).
Betrayal
Peter walked with Christ throughout the three years of His earthly ministry, hearing Him teach and witnessing countless miracles. Peter was present at the Last Supper. Yet, Peter betrayed Christ three times on the very night He was arrested (Matt. 26: 69-75; Mark 14: 66-72; John 18: 17-27).
Forgiveness
Following the Resurrection Christ forgave Peter for this betrayal (John 21: 15-17). It must though have remained on Peter’s mind.
Early church sources including Origen, Irenaeus, and Eusebius hold that Peter was crucified upside down around 64 AD [3]. It is believed that he asked to be crucified in this way, feeling unworthy to be put to death in the same manner as the Lord.
Humility
“…Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’” (1 Peter 5: 5).
Peter, a recognized leader of the Apostles and considered by the Roman Catholic Church the first pope, is the patron saint of fishermen, netmakers, and ship builders. But his epistles emphasize humility [4]. His personal journey from pride to humility is a profound lesson to Christians everywhere.
The washing of the feet is a ceremony that commemorates Christ’s washing of the Apostles’ feet before the Last Supper (something Peter initially resisted) (John 13: 12-18). It is observed in various Christian denominations on Maundy Thursday during Holy Week, as a reminder to believers of the importance of humility.
Altarpiece
All of which makes it entirely fitting that an altarpiece featuring the image of a homeless man as St. Peter is now on display at the Vatican [5]. Read more…
Christ waited until the age of 30 before beginning His earthly ministry. Until then, the Creator of the world worked as a carpenter, some say a stonemason.
Why this long preparation for a ministry which lasted only 3 years?
“The reason might very well have been that He waited until the human nature He had assumed grew in age to full perfection, that He might offer the perfect sacrifice to His Heavenly Father. The farmer waits until the wheat is ripe before cutting it and subjecting it to the mill. So He would wait until His human nature had reached its most perfect proportions and its peak of loveliness before surrendering it to the hammer of the crucifiers and the sickle of those who cut down the Living Bread of Heaven. The newly born lamb is not offered in sacrifice, nor is the first blush of the rose cut to pay tribute to a friend. Each thing has its hour of perfection. Since He is the Lamb that set the hour for the sacrifice, and since He is the Rose that can choose the moment of His cutting, He will wait patiently, humbly and obediently, while He grows in age and grace and wisdom before God and man. Then He will say: ‘This is your Hour.’ Thus the choicest wheat and the reddest wine will be the worthiest elements of Sacrifice — the best this world can give for its consecration and its peace [1].”
–Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
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[1] The Life of Christ by Fulton J. Sheen, published by Maco Magazine Corporation, Copyright © 1954 Bishop Fulton J. Sheen.
READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse and More
https://avoicereclaimed.com
“The Prodigal Son Among the Swine” by Albrecht Durer (1494-1498), Rijksmuseum (Accession No. RP-P-OB-1185), Amsterdam, Source Rijksmuseum, (PD)
In his print “The Prodigal Son Among the Swine” the artist Albrecht Durer chose to show the headstrong son at his lowest ebb, kneeling in prayer in a pigsty. This was the beloved son of a wealthy father, who squandered his inheritance on loose living (Luke 15: 11-32).
“The one who prays in the midst of his sin already sees beyond his sins, even if he believes he can see nothing else. Dignity, which is reborn in the redeemed sinner, is here in its embryonic stage.
That’s the moment Durer chose to depict. Not the celebration of the son’s return. Not the father’s embrace. But the instant when someone broken by his own choices turns toward home. Prayer amid the wreckage. The first stirring of hope in the heart of the lost. The prodigal hasn’t cleaned himself up yet. He’s still in the pigepen. But he’s already being transformed.”
–Leonard J. DeLorenzo PhD, McGrath Institute for Church Life at Notre Dame
We are all, in a sense, among the swine; all struggling with sin, of one kind or another. Recognizing that is an essential step toward repentance.
“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him” (Luke 15: 20).
—
[1] The Dialog, 1/9/26, pp 4-5, “Viewpoints – Personal connection can be lost in an age of diminished human closeness” by Leonard J. DeLorenzo.
READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse and More
https://avoicereclaimed.com
Honor killing victim Romina Ashrafi, copyrighted image used in the Wikipedia article “Murder of Romina Ashrafi” at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Romina_Ashrafi, Original Publication and Immediate Source https://x.com/YasamanFlower/status/1271983832862994433/photo/1 (Non-Free Use Rationale as identification of specific individual, now deceased, for whom there is no known representation under a free license)
In Europe, there is a growing acceptance of Sharia law, the legal system of Islam.
- In Austria, a Viennese court has ruled that Sharia Law is legally valid [1A].
- In Germany, Sharia law is used to rule on domestic conflicts between Muslims [1B].
- In England, dozens of Sharia Councils have existed for years. A Muslim Arbitration Tribunal there, recognized by Britain’s Arbitration Act of 1996, allows civil disputes to be resolved based on Sharia [1C].
- According to the European Court of Human Rights, criticism of Islam is not protected as free speech. The court fined a Viennese woman for injuring the religious feelings of others when she stated her opinion that the Prophet Muhammad was a pedophile for his marriage to Aisha (a marriage arranged when the girl was 6 years of age, and consummated when she was 9 years of age) [1D].
Sharia in the United States
Sharia law in the United States is subject to the US Constitution. Sharia may serve as a personal guide for Muslims, but is not legally enforceable, and does not supersede federal or state, criminal or civil law [2].
A. Federal Initiative
A Sharia-Free America Caucus has recently been formed in the US House of Representatives to prevent Sharia law from gaining a foothold here [3].
The goals of this caucus include expressly prohibiting the enforcement of Sharia law judgments; denying tax exemptions to individuals or institutions handing down Sharia law judgments; barring those who adhere to Sharia law from entry into the United States, and deporting any resident aliens who adhere to Sharia law.
B. State Initiatives
As of this writing, at least 14 states have enacted foreign law bans targeting Sharia [4].
C. Polygamy
The fact that polygamy is illegal in the United States has not kept some Muslim men here from taking multiple wives [8]. No one knows for certain how many Muslims in the United States live in polygamous families [16A]. However, estimates range from 50,000 – 100,000 [16B]. Black Muslims, in particular, are turning to polygamy [17].
D. Honor Killings
So called “honor killings”, also, occur in the United States. These primarily involve women and girls murdered for allegedly having brought shame on their families. Read more…
Books of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamaah, Author Bakkouz at Arabic Wikipedia (PD)
WARNING: Graphic Images
Sharia law is the legal system of Islam based on the Quran, Hadith (oral tradition as to the actions of the Prophet Muhammad and his close circle), and Sunnah (the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad) [1A][2][3][4].
It consists of a series of duties considered God’s command to Muslims, serving as a guide for conduct in this world and divine favor in the next.
Scope
Sharia is broader than Western systems of law. It governs public behavior, private behavior, and private beliefs. Sharia law cannot be altered, but is variously interpreted by Islamic jurists (muftis). Ritual practices like daily prayers, almsgiving, fasting, and pilgrimage are integral.
Provisions
Sharia prioritizes punishment over rehabilitation, and is extremely restrictive of women. Some of its provisions are, as follows:
A. Forced Conversion
Sharia law instructs Muslims to fight unbelievers until they are either dead, converted to Islam, or in a permanent state of subjugation [14A].
Suras 9 and 5 of the Quran are the last major chapters the Prophet Muhammad narrated, therefore, overrule what came before, including the often quoted verse “There is no compulsion in religion…” (Quran 2:256) [14B].
“Say to those who have disbelieved, if they cease [from disbelief] their past will be forgiven… And fight them until there is no more Fitnah [disbelief and polytheism, i.e. worship of others besides Allah] and the religion [worship] will all be for Allah Alone [in the whole of the world]”(Quran 8:38-39)[14C].
“Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, [even if they are] of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued”(Quran 9:29)[14D].
“…kill the infidels wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they should repent, establish prayer, and pay tribute tax, let them [go] on their way” (Quran 9:5)[5B][14E].
B. Death Penalty
- Criticizing or denying Allah is punishable by death (Quran 6:39)[1B][8A].
- Criticizing the Prophet Muhammad or denying that he is a prophet is punishable by death (Quran 33:57 and 33:61; Sahih Bukhari 59:369, 3:106, and 4:241; Sahih Muslim 1801)[1C][8B].
- Criticizing or denying any part of the Quran is punishable by death [1D][27A].
- Apostacy is punishable by death [1E][16A][27B].
- A non-Muslim who leads a Muslim away from Islam is to be put to death [1F].
- A non-Muslim man who marries a Muslim woman is to be put to death [1G].
- A woman or girl found guilty of adultery is to be put to death [1H][16B].
- A woman or girl who alleges rape without producing 4 male witnesses is guilty of adultery, and is to be put to death [1I].
- Homosexuality is punishable by death, but the sodomy of boys has been culturally acceptable (Quran 52:24)[1J][6A][15][18][19][23][24][25][26][29].
C. Amputation
- Theft by one Muslim from another is punishable by amputation of the hands (Quran 5:38) [1K]. Pillaging of non-Muslims is permissible (Quran 8:69, 48:20) [12]. Property rights for non-Muslims exist only at the discretion of Muslim rulers.
Other punishments include flogging and stoning [16C].
D. FGM (Clitorectomy) and Rape
- Some form of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), up to and including clitorectomy, is either recommended or required by all classical Sunni schools of Islamic jurisprudence, generally approved by Shi’i jurists, and obligatory in the Shafi’i school (Book 41, Kitab Al-Adab, Hadith 5251) [1L][6C][20][28]. The term “female circumcision” fails to acknowledge the severe health risks, and human rights violations involved [32][33].
- Muslim men have sexual rights to any woman/girl not wearing a Hijab [1M]. Taharrush Gamea is the coordinated seхual assault of a girl or a woman in public by a mass of Muslim men [7]. This was illustrated by the mass sexual assaults against female protesters in Tahrir Square, Cairo, Egypt in January 2011, November 2012, January 2013, and June 2013 [30][31].
- A woman or girl who has been raped cannot testify in court against her rapist(s) [1N].
- Testimonies of 4 male witnesses are required to prove rape of a female (Quran 24:13) [1O].
- A male convicted of rape can have his conviction dismissed by marrying his victim [1P].
Exhibition of computer and video games, Source Igromir 2016, Author Sergey Galyonkin of Raleigh, NC (CC BY-SA 2.0 Generic)
Samsung, at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this year, emphasized that its “bespoke AI experiences” are intended to simplify decisions, and make life more convenient and enjoyable [1A][2A][3].
Artificial Companions
Toward that end, an AI companion called “Ami” (essentially a surveillance device) is now being marketed by the Chinese company Lepro as a “soulmate” to combat loneliness [1B]. Project AVA by Razer, a desktop hologram, is another such companion [2B].
Meanwhile, a mechanical pet with an endearing face called Sweekar by Takway AI is described as having emotional intelligence, and said to evolve alongside its owner [4].
Artificial Environments
Cozy gaming is an exploding trend. These are video games that offer soft color graphics, a heartwarming story, a flexible pace without time limits, and no real difficulties or stress [5]. Wylde Flowers and Cozy Space Survivors are two illustrations. Some horror games even come with cozy modes.
A Digital Cocoon
The New Yorker characterized the trend toward AI companions and cozy gaming as an attempt to “swathe ourselves in a digital and physical cocoon [6].” This is not far wrong. The world feels harsh. We are seeking relief through technology. Read more…
A Lawyer's Prayers 