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jlf1961 -> RE: A Little Too Much Multiculturalism (7/9/2008 8:51:21 PM)
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If I may interject, the victims of rape up until the early part of this century in many countries were often convicted of 'contributing,' including the United States.
It was legal in many states for the father of a girl to kill both the daughter and the boy she ran off with if he had disapproved of young man in question. However, if the son ran off with a girl the family did not approve of, the family could legally deal with the woman in the most expediant fashion possible.
The dodging of arranged marriages in the middle ages and early years of the European Expansion was also grounds for the execution of both parties. This was the custom up until the late 16th and early 17th centuries. In some countries, the laws stayed on the books until the 18th century.
Please note, these all were western countries.
However, in order to avoid dishonoring the family name, and in many cases with the help of an understanding older sibling or mother, the young bride was given a concoction that would prevent the groom (arranged marraiges usually involved girls in their early teens and very mature individuals) from being able to perform his husbandly rights, thus rendering the marraige null and void, the girl received a substantial sum of money from the old guy, and she and the guy she really wanted went their merry way.
There was always the chance that too much would be given and the poor groom would suffer a heart attack. If forensic science had been around back then, a lot of young brides would have gone to the gallows. However, since poisoning could not be proved, the girl gained an inheritance and still got the guy she wanted, (one way to have your cake and eat it too.)
After it was deemed illegal to kill your daughter for disobeying the family in such matters, it was allowed for the father to sell the child into slavery. If she was a fair wench, the highest bidder was usually the owner of the local brothel. He in turn would offer the girls beloved the chance to buy her contract, and thus save her from a life of shame.
So Islamic tradition still has the sell the girl into slavery period to go through before they hit the modern era, figure another 300 years.
I guess the plains indians were a bit more to the point, they just put a mark on the girls nose, showing she was a woman of no virtue.
I am not trying to belittle the atrocities committed in the name of honor, but I am pointing out the muslims were not the only ones to do this. Our own western culture was guilty of it too.
Honor does not have to be defended. Robert J. Sawyer
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