Pakistan is going through a serious moral turmoil, and Pakistani Christians are being targeted in this moral and spiritual turmoil. The continuous persecution of Christians in Pakistan is making them suffer from many psychological dis-eases. This moral turmoil is also making them suffer from spiritual distress. Their questions needs to be answered, if not answered they need to be listened, so that they are able to explore their emotional and spiritual pains.

In this article I have discussed the seven psychological stages of a Christians in Pakistan, in order to help Christian and humanitarian agencies to understand their emotional needs. 

After the partition of the Sub-continent of India, Pakistan became a separate independent nation. The Christian were promised equal rights and some how enjoyed equal rights till the decline of democratic government in 1977. After 1977, the religion became the dominant and driving force and there were organized efforts made to make Pakistan an Islamic state. In this process Christians were targeted. They were accused with false charges of blasphemy. The Christian worship places and settlements were targeted. It became difficult and challenging for Christians to survive. The Muslim fanatics imposed their beliefs, doctrines and superiority over the tiny minority of Christians in Pakistan. 

It was during this period of time Christians started suffering from inferiority complex more strongly. This complex is being strengthened by continuous attacks and false accusation. The Christian have not been rulers in the sub-continent of India therefore the inferiority complex is already very strong and their own some fellow Muslim Pakistanis have contributed to the suffering of Christian on religious basis. The continuity of attacks and false accusation has made Christian suffer from inferiority complex. They do not deserve this treatment; rather this is being imposed on them. The inferiority complex is affecting the survival and existence of Christian in Pakistan. They are losing their sense of identity and belonging. They are asking serious questions, what is our identity in this country? Are we inferior or equal, practically they are not equal. The Pakistani Christian youth is agitating, and losing interest in the country, every second Pakistani Christian youth is upset and want to leave the country. They want to go to a place where they can enjoy dignity, and respect. In Pakistani culture respect holds a central place in the society. The Christian have not only been disrespected rather they have been disgraced and as a result Pakistani youth is in search of respect.

For more than thirty four years of continuous persecution of Christians in Pakistan it has made Christians insecure in their own homes and country. They are insecure physically, psychologically, emotionally and financially. They are secure only because of their faith, and it is their faith in Christ that gives them sense of security and hope. They go in to hiding and their faith in Christ is never weakened. They are insecure among their fellow human beings however they feel secure in God’s presence. God is the driving force behind them. Christians are peaceful and less advantaged in Pakistan. They do not hold weapons to fight the extremism. Their faith in non violent God is very strong; therefore in insecure situations they have two tools in their hands: Hiding and prayer. They pray when they are in hiding and they pray when face hardship. In this insecurity they fight persecution with the tool of hiding and prayer. 

The sense of insecurity brings fear. Living in fear for more than three decades is not healthy at all. This affects their physical and emotional health. They suffer from paranoia. This affects their ability to function normally. They are scared to mingle with the people around them; they are unable to trust their neighbor because they have been betrayed by their neighbor in the name of religion. Their trust is shattered. Fear is affecting their interaction and even movements. They are watched or chased by fanatics. They cannot plan because their ability to reason is being affected. They are un- certain, about their future. Fear does not let them grow. They are scared to go to public or religious gathering. They do not want to for gatherings because of the fear of attacks and violence. Living in fear is not healthy at all; they need personal contact and visits where they can explore their fears.

From 1977 on wards the Christian minorities continue to live in dilemma. They are confused about their existence in Pakistan, they are willing to be faithful to land and culture of their forefather, but the circumstances do not let them feel that they can survive. It is becoming difficult for elderly Christians to survive; the sense of insecurity is making them suffer from dilemma. They do not know what to do. Where should they spend rest of their life. They continue to suffer from dilemma. They cannot decide and plan, because the dilemma continues in their lives. Their total life has become a dilemma. 

The Definition of trauma is an event outside normal human experience." Trauma generally leaves you feeling powerless, helpless, paralyzed. 

In the last three decades the Christian community has felt powerless, helpless and paralyzed. They continue to experience trauma, and remain in feelings of powerlessness and helplessness. This powerlessness and helplessness makes them feel, discriminated and inferior. They lose sense of pride. Sense of powerlessness is making them suffer in isolation and they continue to live in trauma, without good pastoral, medical and psychological care. In spite of all foreign or local care they continue to live in traumatic situation. The false accusations, killings, and violence do not let them be out of traumatic situation. They continue to live in trauma, till the end of their life. In these moments they need care from national leadership, who could come and validate their feelings and give them emotional support. In these traumatic moments Christian expect good pastoral care from their Muslim brothers, sisters, political and religious leadership. They need emotional support and presence. They look for validation and they would feel only validated when their Muslim brothers and sisters come and be with them in their traumatic moments.

In this situation they also go through an emotional pain. They are already in trauma, and the dialogue of forgiveness has not taken place. The Christian community decides to forgive, but they have not heard a word from those who they want to forgive. This continues to happen, and there is a lot that goes on emotionally in the hearts of the Christians in Pakistan. They need to be heard, they talk among themselves, but it needs to be heard by the community of Muslims, this might bring them some kind of comfort. We cannot have reconciliation unless there is a dialogue of forgiveness. Culturally forgiveness is a defeat, surrender and disrespect, but religiously there is a point where they can come and hold a dialogue of forgiveness. 

The community is losing hope and continues to live in despair. The sense of despair is increasing. They are not secure in and out side their homes. They are surviving only because of their faith in God. In this despair they go out with out a hope to return to their home, they sleep with out a hope, returning home safely is a miracle. Getting up alive every morning is a miracle. They believe it is a God who is doing these miracles; therefore their every minute of life is a miracle. They leave home with the feelings of hopelessness, however after reaching home safely restores their hopes. They experience hope and hopelessness every moment of their lives. This environment of hopeless and despair is affecting the children and the youth. They cannot understand why this is happening? They are experiencing a cross but they need to experience resurrectionPeople are frustrated because they are not listened. There is no solution of their issues. They have to face false charges, verbal and physical persecution. They are all living saints. They have not even imagined to seek hope from any other sources except Christ. Christ continues to be with them in their frustration. Bible reading, evening chats at home, and other spiritual devotionals give them hope to over come their daily frustrations. The children are frustrated, when their parents have to run in the middle of the night for life. Pakistani Christian children ask their parents, why they cannot play outside the house? 

Spiritual Care plan:
When you are visiting a persecuted Christian(s) in Pakistan you can follow the following care plan:

Pakistani people love to listen and tell stories. Invite them to share their stories. Inviting them to sharing a story means you are opening a dialogue where you are helping the persecuted community or individual to explore their emotional and spiritual pains. Let them talk and in the mean time validate their feelings. 

Pastoral presence plays a very important role. Be their emotionally and spiritually. Pay attention to their words, do not interrupt them, and let them share their stories and bring them comfort in their emotional pains. Initiate a good pastoral dialogue. Ask open ended questions, and let them talk and explore. Listen attentively and patiently. If you are talking to a woman do not look in to the eyes of a woman, it is not considered respectful. In European and American culture lack of eye contact is disrespectful, but in Pakistan and even in South Asian countries eye contact with women is disrespectful.

People in Pakistan would appreciate a timely help and a visit. In Pakistani culture People can forget if you were late in their wedding or other celebrations, but if you are late for death or other serious occasions (persecution, violence etc) this will never be taken for granted. This will be considered a lack of concern and may not forgive for all their life. So being with the Christians in their difficult moments in time is vital. At your arrival greet them all and shake hands and hug the male members, and greet the women by not having the eye contact. Pakistan is a male dominating society, therefore when grieving with the family sit with male members of the family. 

Pastoral and cultural dialogue is a very important part of grieving with the Pakistani family. You cannot sit quite; you need to e inquire how the family is doing? Ask about the children, women, and every one in the family. If you could read a scripture and say a prayer, that would be very much appreciated. Do not come and leave at once, stay there for some time, and talk and initiate dialogue. Show them you moral, emotional presence and if possible your financial support. 

Eating with the grieving family is considered a very important gesture. If you want to build a relationship, stay to 

Naeem Harry M.Div; M.Th
United States of America. 

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