Everyone,
I'm going to throw something a little controversial into this discussion, because I believe this discussion is going nowhere. In fact, I'm wondering if it's beginning to move into discussions of issues that best belong elsewhere in these forums.
To all who read this, please understand, I am in no way justifying the actions of Muhammed in this situation as recorded in this history of Islam. But, as a Christian who has lived cross culturally most of my life, I have to point this out, or not to be true to myself. In discussing this issue, we MUST keep in mind some of the historical and cultural points that that article that Lady Fatima asked us to read raises.
This whole issue of young children being taken as wives for older men, is not something unique to a particular cultural group. It happens in many cultures, and not just in places like Africa. Infact, it's something that is very much part of our indigenous Aboriginal culture here in Australia. A girl baby, born into the clan of a specific group was/is promised at birth to an older man, often a clan leader/elder, many years older than herself, and on reaching puberty the girl goes to live within the household of her husband as his wife.
This whole issue, is still alive and well in the state I live here in Australia, and in fact, only late last year (2003) a law was passed by our state government, preventing people of any culture, including our indigenous culture have sexual relations with a girl under 16. This has caused controversy. One man, was jailed for taking his promise soon after the law was passed. This law, was specifically passed to address the issue of taking child wives, and although some of our well known local elders were on the committee to best discuss the law and how it should read, before it was passed, many other well known leaders, including a few who were on that committee, are very outspoken against it, saying it is part of their law and culture.
This is in the year 2003-4 and this issue is still an issue, not only here, but as has been mentioned in other parts of the world. Again, please let me underline the fact, I am not saying it is right!! I am saying, that culturally, we have to understand and look at situations, not from our western viewpoint, which are clouded by our own cultural values and rights and wrongs, but by trying to understand it from within the culture of the people who are condoning it. Only then can we begin to have the right to challenge and introduce change. It is also, the only way we can expect people to listen to us.
My knowledge of relationships between Islamic and non Islamic countries has shown me that this is a principal very few people take into account and it does nothing to assist in understanding the reasons behind many of the iinternational issues, that we in the west, are unable to comprehend.
The only way we can begin to understand, and not just use warfare to solve our international problems, is to try and understand from each others perspective. Only then do we have the right to speak out against injustice. I am not only speaking to those of us in so called "western countries" here, but also to those living in other places, "the non western countries." To not do this, particualarly as believers in God, is to be hypocrites and to bring dishonour to His Name. (regardless of whether we are Christian or Muslim). May I add also, that as a Christian, I believe this is EXACTLY why God incarnated and became a man? He spoke to us through the prophets in the past, but then he entered human history, confined himself into a specific cultural group and then presented truth within the context of that cultural framework. Only then, did the world truly begin to know God.
I know this may not be something that others on this forum agree with, but in all fairness, it must be said. History shows, few people have tried to do this and the history of missions, of jihads, of crusades, of international politics easily point out the result of this.
I wish us all peace and understanding as we dialogue together.
Carol