Not necessarily domestic violence

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It is important that these issues are seriously looked at within religions. And those who profess to take their respective religions seriously, should not get defensive when they are raised. 

Same with Catholicism. Mention sexual abuse, and you'd think you had forty horns on your head, with the more conservative types. Though you can see it too with some of the more 'liberal'. They think you exaggerate - make it up. I swear to God, if their own children were laying dead in front of them, they'd still be in denial. I see this happening too with Islam. And it's happening here when people go on the defensive, instead of looking at these issues honestly, and at ways of dealing with them. You'd have a duty before God to tackle them I'd imagine. 

I think it is, to a degree, more important that they be looked at within religious contexts -  moreso, because these things are done by some in the belief that God sanctions these kinds of behaviours. 

Yes - we all know God does not permit or allow these things. At least I hope not :-) But what is it about the religion - ANY religion, the misunderstandings of that religion by however few, or many - that make some believe otherwise - that they can abuse and murder 'in the name of God'.

One child - one abused woman, or man is worth the effort surely. What is it about a religion, its teachings, or lack of proper teaching that makes men believe they have a right to do these things to any woman or child.

Within Catholicism - there is 'clericalism' - just one aspect of the phenomena of abuse, its toleration and cover up. The male clerical elite. The image of the priesthood as something 'holy' - immaculate - the reputation of which must be kept as such at any cost - even the cost of lives being destroyed, not least the most vulnerable and innocent. It's in many ways a kind of men only club. Patriarchal system. Open to abuses at so very many levels. 

Same in Islam. You can say there is no priesthood. No hierarchy. I disagree. Imams, sholars etc are no different. They have power and they have the power to seriously abuse other human beings. Not saying all or many do. But that potential is real, and really there.  

If these things are happening, and yes they are happening the world over, within and outside of religious contexts; then shouldn't those who know what the religion truly teaches not be out their fighting this level of ignorance that is so destructive to individuals, society and to the name of God, and belief in God by people who might otherwise embrace belief. 

I'd like to know, to understand what  an 'honour killing' is supposed to be, to mean. Why does something like this happen. Where did the men get the idea they can do this, have a right to do it. They got it from somewhere, and it's linked to religion somehow, rightly or wrongly. Why. There is nothing wrong with naming and shaming evil. And trying to understand and do something about it. It does not mean that the religion itself is evil or bad, or that those who truly believe are deluded or deceived.

Try really tackling these things in your relgion. Your Christian religion or your Islamic religion, and see where the greatest opposition comes from :-) You might be pleasantly, or very unpleasantly surprised. Don't expect an easy ride though. 

I have found this in Christian Catholicism. When you speak of terrible abuses, and not just from books, but from real experience and witnessing. You get called all sorts some times. And the worst attacks come from the ones who should really be on your side - fighthing the rot, the evil, rooting it out 'in the name of God'.  But no, they get all defensive and rant and rave. And you try and understand why they are like that. Denial is a big factor. But I think too that people do at times find it difficult to separate chaff from wheat within their respective religions. It seems, almost, that to mention the realities of abuses of whatever kind, is somehow to be seen to attack their very faith, to wish to undermine it in some way. The faith that is the most precious and beautiful thing to them. That you defile it by mentioning these things at all. It's true. People are strange critters at times - not least in matters religious.  When you are really wanting, trying to strengthen your own faith, and theirs and come together to do what is right 'in the name of God' and those abused in the name of that religion. 

Isn't that the 'outer' jihad. That those who truly believe, know the real teachings of the religion, fight the ignorances of those who harm that belief for others within the religion and for those who might otherwise look to knowing and embracing that religion. The "enemy within". 

Be prepared for the 'battle' of your life ;-) 

Not necessarily domestic violence

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