I take it that you are refering to the more fundamental sects of Islam? At the moment, that is the only one that I can think of that has such edicts. It is true that their society is one that seems to place much of the burden of so called "chastity" on women. That can't be denied. But then I have just remembered certain Pentacostal groups do the same, without the physical punishment aspects. I don't know. Many of the things that the west has charged them with were perpetrated in the west first. Some long ago, some not so long ago. To us in the west, it does seem time has stood still for the middle east in many ways and that many of their ways are oppressive. But we need to remember that those groups, as in the west are in the monority. The vast majority of muslims are kind and hospitable people. If you have ever traveled in the arab countries you would know this is true. And we in the west have so much to be thankful to them for. For 1000 years, while the west was in the dark ages, the muslim nations carried the torch of civilization. Public education, modern astronomy, chemistry, even daily bathing and indoor plumbing and many more things we take for granted on a daily basis come from the east. And there have been advances in their social fabic as well. In the wealthier countries they are very "westernized" even in clothing. Just don't expect mini skirts (####!)
Excyber, do ever feel like a Democrat at the Republican national convention too?
(Edited by falstaff at 1:02 am on Mar. 19, 2002)