How is it possible that in 2008 crimes against humanity are ignored and/or justified if they are committed in the name of religion? I recently finished reading Escape and Infidel and can't stop thinking about the similarities between the two, nor can I get my blood to stop boiling. Escape by Carolyn Jessop is about her escape from the FLDS religion, community, and her polygamist marriage. Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali is her story of growing up a Muslim woman, escape from an arranged marriage, asylum in Holland, and political adventures as she spoke out about abuse to women within the Muslim religion including female mutilation. In both stories women are persecuted in the name of religion and required to be unquestioningly obedient to their prophet, father, husband, or brother in order to obtain salvation in the afterlife. In both stories the women were born into families that had been practicing their religion for generations and both possessed the ability to think for themselves and the strength to be themselves despite their desperate lives.
I understand and appreciate the fact that our forefathers came to America because they were fleeing religious persecution and that they created a government that would never be vulnerable to religious persecution but I don't understand how modern day laws can be broken and more specifically how the law can allow women and children to be abused and persecuted in the name of religion (Ali's story doesn't take place in America but she did seek help in New York at one point and had to fight in order to get protection). I know that it is ignorant to generalize about the various fanatical groups and I am trying not to do that but I do know that both Carolyn Jessop and Ayaan Hirsi Ali experienced extensive abuse and persecution in the name of their religions and had to fight hard in order to get the government to stand up for them.
"...tolerance of intolerance is cowardice."
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
In the name of religion?
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6 comments:
I hear what you are saying. I can't wait to discuss Escape at book club. Our Infidel discussion was great too. We felt that she was an amazing woman to stand up and get out. I think Carolyn is too. We'll talk at book club!
I couldn't agree more. I am sick over what "we" here in the US have allowed to go on. It is time we stand up for those who can not stand up for themselves.
Amy I'm so sorry you wont be able to make it to book club this month because ESCAPE is going to be an awesome discussion, especially with the crack down on FLDS in Texas that is occurring right now. However I'm glad you posted this so I was able to hear your two cents. And I totally agree.
It is absolutely infuriating and very hard for me to understand. I definitely need to read these books and recommend them to my bookclub here in Rochester. It would be a great discussion.
It's been fun to check out your "goodreads" thoughts of recently read books. I've always gone in to the library blindly, so it's been nice to have intelligent opinions that help my steering of book selection. Thanks Amy!
I will definitely have to check out those two books, they seem really interesting. I am with you on the "in the name of religion" concept, it bothers me a lot. BUT mainly, I keep forgetting to write you a message about you coming to DC next week! Let's get together for dinner! Send me an e-mail and let me know what your schedule will be...kaylynpeterson@gmail.com I hope I get to see you!
Both of those books are at the top of my books to read list. Did you see Carolyn on Oprah last year? It was a very interesting episode.
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