Good suggestion, Brad. Although its not a sociological comparison, it angers me that in America today religious conservatives are banding with religious purists in Islamic countries to forge an alliance in opposition to reproductive services provided by UN funds. How ironic that there are Americans willing to overlook these cruel injustices in the name of their anti-abortion zeal. We often read the phrase "culture of death" describing pro-choice movements, but aligning oneself for a limited cause with others who still practice hate-honor and barbaric justice is truly a travesty of ideas and honor. Personally, I associate "culture of death" with the NRA and its brainwashed membership. Are ideological extremists more active or threatening today than a few centuries ago? Or was it just that in pre-printing press and rule of law times, extremists outmaneuvered illiterate masses? Is it folly to think we in the western "civilized" nations have eradicated these barbaric ideologues? Karen Watters Cole
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Lawrence DeBivort Sent: Thursday, July 04, 2002 6:52 AM To: Keith Hudson; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: Horrific traditions Thanks for the posting, Keith. Interesting that the four perpetrators had to flee. Perhaps, metaphorically, this represents the clash between hate-based honor systems, and those that distinguish individual rights from collective culpability. The girl was being held responsible for the actions of her relative. It would be interesting to do a survey of cultures, sorting for this distinction, and compare that with social behaviors and policies. Lawry > The following story from today's Times has shaken me. It is yet another > reminder that we should not disparage the industrial society of the > developed world as readily as "progressive" commentators often do. We > denigrate ourselves too frequently in the name of wanting to return to > 'simpler' ways of life and community.
