Letters to the Editor
lexsali
Published Letters: 64 Editor's Choice: 8
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Riiiight, Tina
[Read the article: Honor killings and Islam]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]All of the following from the King James version:
And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished. Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he is his money. (Exodus 21:20-21)
Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves. (Numbers 31:17-18)
Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house. (Ezekiel 9:4-6)
And I will set my jealousy against thee, and they shall deal furiously with thee: they shall take away thy nose and thine ears; and thy remnant shall fall by the sword: they shall take thy sons and thy daughters; and thy residue shall be devoured by the fire. ('they' being children of whores) (Ezekiel 23:25)
And a man will choose...any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman...Sin began with a woman and thanks to her we all must die. (Ecclesiasticus, 25:18, 19 & 33)
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So you see, Tina, two can play that game.
And as for my being Western educated, elitist, and 'atypical', what's your point? Does being a Western educated Muslim woman disqualify me? Because I know how to play your games and speak your language? Who would you rather have your conversations with, misinformed and uneducated women in third-world countries? Yeah, I'll bet. That's pretty pathetic, which is worse than being 'stupid'. (Oh and I can play the 'use insults when necessary' game as well).
As for my point in comparing religious contradictions and atrocities in religious texts, which forum are you on? If every bad thing a Muslim does can be directly linked by the great minds of our times to something in the Quran, well then let's examine other religious texts as well, shall we? Let's see how the Quran is, as another reader put it, "uniquely misogynistic". Turns out, it isn't, is it? It's got the same contradictions, chronicles the same unbelievable atrocitites, worships similar wrathful Gods, and relegates women to third-class status in exactly the same way as all other religious texts known to man.
This whole bs about Islam somehow being especially mean to women is just that. Bull. I am fully aware that Islamic texts hold contradictions, that leaders the world over have twisted the religion for political purposes (btw, they learned this game from the experts, their Christian counterparts), that men have usurped the religion to bring all that downgrades women to the forefront and obscure all that empowers women. Is it not telling that 99% of the scholarship in Islam from the day it was revealed is by men? Is it not telling that power has always remained in the hands of men in Muslim countries, that the Quran and Hadith have been interpreted forever by men?
Yes, it was the same way with Christianity, but don't make me repeat the verses at the top, showing that if Christians truly lived by their book, women would be nothing but slaves and procreating machines. The only reason the West "found feminism" is because it directly rejected the notions in the Bible that women were the source of all sin. It had to ignore the misogyny in the Bible to bring women to where they are now. Oh sure, you'll still find people that go to Church every day. But have they ever read the Bible in its entirety, or tried to live by its word? Not likely.
What is my point? Muslims will not reject their religion to empower women. Muslim women are finding empowerment from their religion. It's not something you Western feminists will understand, thus this ignorant name-calling and finger-pointing, and surface treatment of issues waaaayyy beyond your grasp.
I've written way too much already, and there's much, much, much more to be said. If you're ever in Chicago, let me know.
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Way ahead of you...
[Read the article: Honor killings and Islam]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Oh, and go ahead and label me an 'apologist'. Anyone that doesn't denounce the entire religion and call it names and write books about the horrors of Islam is an apologist in the West. Which is my answer to that question about Salman Rushdie. Rushdie wrote a book that millions of Muslims found insulting, and he became a millionaire, married a model, and was given knighthood by the Queen of England. Who wouldn't follow in his footsteps? It's a freaking franchise now.
Unfortunately, most people, including you, don't realize that people like Salman Rushdie make the problem worse. Which says a lot about people like you.
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Oh please...
[Read the article: Honor killings and Islam]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]"Rebuttal of substance"? Forgive us if we're not impressed with your "I've been there" crap, but there are people out there who recognize BS when they see it, and will say so (much to your dismay). But, of course, anything we say is 'insubstantial' compared to your tomes of wisdom.
How absolutely ridiculous that you proclaim there are no Muslim feminists out there, and that such a thing cannot exist, but when you come across one, you tell her she cannot be and moreover, that she's a lier.
And everyone, Tina's got a patent on feminism. Use it at your own peril.
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Beyond you...
[Read the article: Honor killings and Islam]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Oh and one more thing:
The hijab is not just a piece of cloth. It is something much more than that, and it means things to people that you will never understand. But do remember this: if you could not understand its complexities, then the best place for it is in your basement. Don't take it out again.