Blinded by the enlightenment

Here's the latest from Saudi Arabia, where women have fewer rights than furniture:

Several Saudi religious clerics are calling on Saudi Minister of Culture and Media ‘Abd Al-‘Aziz Khouja to ban women from appearing in the media.
 
The call comes a month after Saudi King ‘Abdallah Bin ‘Abd Al-‘Aziz announced a series of reforms in the political system that were meant to show a more moderate and liberal face of Saudi officialdom to Western powers.
 
Thirty-five Saudi clerics warned against what they called violations of Islamic law in the media.
 
They urged the minister to ban screening of women dancing, singing, presenting news items or talking, whether in Arabic or a foreign language.
 
“It is forbidden to show pictures of women in Saudi newspapers and magazines, whatever the reason,” they said in a statement, according to the London-based Al-Quds Al-‘Arabi.
 
The clerics based their statement on a document from the year 2000 issued by the prime minister, which said women should not be employed in jobs that did not suit their nature, or in jobs that would lead them to mix with men.
 
The call comes as women have made considerable strides in the Saudi media over the past few years.
 
More Saudi women are getting high-level jobs in the media industry, whether as correspondents or as editors, and women can now acquire a higher education in communications studies, with the government’s blessing.
 
The clerics’ call might indicate a feeling of resentment or intimidation among men in the Saudi religious establishment, who fear women are breaking out of their traditional role of housewives and are encroaching on areas that have been dominated by males, according to The Media Line analysts.

Religious fundamentalism. Just another way of saying you hate women.

Doesn't matter what brand is your favourite.

Comments

[Sebastian Stoker]

"Religious fundamentalism. Just another way of saying you hate women."

Too true. There are enough [Christian] fundamentalists in North America who are imposing similar restrictions on women. And the fact that these groups are not just not being shunned, but are being embraced by the media and pop culture is frightening.

Frankly, I am more worried about what is on my doorstep.

[The Stygian and his Shemitish Dogs]

Stoker you Smoker,

This. will. not. do.

The fundamentalism described abopve is far harsher than anything Christian fundamentalists have come up with. Ever. Making that comparison shows a total lack of proportion.

And in any case, with current immigration policies they're close to your doorstep as well.

[arthurdecco]

"Religious fundamentalism. Just another way of saying you hate women.

Doesn't matter what brand is your favourite."

My goodness! I could have written that! And then there's today's inspiring treeware column...

Smooch! (on the cheek, on the cheek!)

[Sebastian Stoker]

Stygian oh pedantic one,

I do not deny that the reality of violence exists in such places, whereas it does not seem to here with Christian fundamentalist, but the fact is that restrictions on rights (to education, freedom of thought, even freedom of physical activity) is the same.

Many Christian fundamentalist groups deny their women educations and freedom of association, insist upon their wearing uniforms of sorts, and do not allow girls to engage in activities - bike riding, and other sports, ANYTHING - that will potentially destroy the evidence of their virginity.

That these fundamentalists are Christian, worries me as I was raised as a Christian and live in what is still a predominately Christian country. Systemic prejudice serves as a counter to other fundamentalists. So, Yes I am still more worried about the Christians.

[The Stygian and his Shemitish Dogs]

Stoker you Smoker,

Name one such "Christian fundamentalist" group.
In any case, such activities would be closely circumscribed by the secular government.

Whereas in the country brought to our attention by the Esteemed and Beautiful Moderator in this thread there is NO secular government - rather, the government acts as a religious enforcer.

This time it really is a case olf the mote in your eye and the beam in the other guy's.

[Sebastian Stoker]

Stygian,

Bountiful and its sister compounds in the U.S.

And, no, in actual fact, the governments have been very slow to act on what they knew were issues of abuse, etc.. AND, the media has been strangely sympathetic. "Let's try to understand." Why? These people are polygamists who are inbreeding and are known traffickers of under-aged girls! Would there have been such a hands-off attitude when dealing with a compound run by Muslims? I think not.

Though I have referred to our "secular government", actually Canada, is not technically a true secular country. Whereas France has completely separated state from church, and the U.S. has done so in theory, Canada is still a Christian country (remember that we define ourselves as bi-cultural, with two languages and two religions - Catholic and Protestant). And our government has committed abuse, or allowed it, in the name of Christianity. There are the native schools scandals, and the pedophile scandals in the Catholic church (yes, this happened in the U.S. but remember that there the Catholic church is disassociated from government).

Let's not even get into the suspect connections of the North American Christian Right to radical anti-abortion groups (who have killed people and bombed clinics), the National Rifle Association, and even Neo-Nazis and white supremacists groups.

So, yes, in the middle east governments condone abuses in the name of religion. In the U.S. and Canada the governments simply turn a blind eye.