World holds its breath for Lawal decision - Stoned to Death

[dArKeR]

The world is holding its breath as Amina Lawal faces a Nigerian appeal court, to find out whether she will be given clemency - or die by stoning.

It was unclear on Tuesday night whether Lawal's appeal against her sentence will be heard on Wednesday or Thursday, to avoid coverage of the case in the international media and head off the risk of protests outside the courtroom.

The outcome of the Sharia Appeal Court hearing will determine the fate of the 31-year-old mother convicted of adultery. The power of scores of organisations that had been fighting to save Lawal, and the purpose of a dozen international law agreements that say everybody has the right to life, are also at stake.

In March last year Lawal, a divorcée, was convicted under Sharia law after giving birth out of wedlock, and sentenced to death.

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=68&art_id=vn20030924032020135C830119&set_id=1

[JNelson6563]

1. How come I am not

reading outraged letters from right-to-lifers on this in the editorial pages?

Maybe they think it's "biblical" due to the method....

Horrified--
Julie

[dusty64]

2. The "christian"

reconstructionist movement in this country (who also own the "voting" machine company ES&S) advocate the stoning of gay people and others they deem "sinners". Scary stuff indeed, right to life my ass.

[salin]

4. I don't think that most of the followers/adherents

of this movement - as in regular church goers, recognize that the logical extension of their ideology might condone such punishments. They (the leaders of the reconstructivist movement) put a very 'pretty' face on it. Might be why they are silent. Some either might agree with it - or might not agree but recognize that it isn't a far step away from what they advocate and by talking about it they might turn more adherents away. They are still trying to take over mainstream Christianity - to let the ugly face fully be seen either way - would hurt their cause.

I really seperate followers from the leaders in this movement. Even some of the smaller leaders (eg church leaders) I do not believe all 'see' to where their whole movement leads. Those pushing the lunacy, I believe, do it for power not out of conviction. And very sadly they lead their followers - who I think are acting in ways they have been lead to believe is "religious and in one with God" - further and further away from the spirituality sought. They are evil. Sad that their literalist followers don't start wondering about the whole "false prophets" thing - because it appears to me that the leaders of this movement fit that bill.

[msmcghee]

21. All prophets are false.

Edit: Spelling

No-one can predict the future. We can only guess.

Those who follow prophets are at fault - for not taking a serious look at their lives and accepting responsibility for their decisions.

With so many rubes in the world so ready to turn their lives over to some "prophet" - who can blame the Falwells and Robertsons from cashing in?

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

3. Where's Chuck Norris when you need him?

Am I the only one who daydreams of a badass American strike force storming the courtroom and spiriting the victim out of the country?

THAT's intervention I'd like.

[mmm]

5. I'm with you on that!

[The Magistrate]

6. It Is Time For Persons Of Progressive And Left Sentiments To Realize

The civilization and values of the West are not the font of all human evil. A system which would not only condone but view as sacred such a proceeding as this is as near an absolute enemy to human liberty and progressive ideals as can be found in existance.

[DrWeird]

9. Ahh, but...

If one decries the injustices going on in far away, muslim, black third world countries, while ignoring equally digusting displays of injustice back home in america...

[The Magistrate]

14. Well, Doctor

When you can point me to a U.S. court's decree that a woman who was raped is to be stoned to death for adulterous fornication, you will find me alongside you on the barricades.

[javadu]

7. I Am Exasperated by This

I have written 3 letters in opposition to this already. It is becoming quite clear that the strategy here is to delay and delay until no one is paying attention. Sadly, it just may work.

I grew up in a fundamentalist Christian family, so I feel like I understand their thinking on this. Unfortunately, they can not grant her clemency. That would be like Satan overcoming God (or Jesus or Allah). If she has repented, then God will know what do with her and, if she is worthy, she will be in a better place anyway. In any case, she can not be allowed to continue to corrupt the children, especially her own.

The reasoning is really sick and makes be pessimistic about the outcome and exasperated in regards to my responsibility. I guess I will write another letter and try to have a good day.

[javadu]

8. Sorry About This Post

I just went back and reread my post. It sounds too negative and pessimistic and I wanted to apologize for the tone to the group. I think that we should diligently and enthusiastically work and lobby to eradicate this stuff. My pessimism comes from a conversation that my wife and I had last night after getting some mail soliciting donations.

The problem was that it is a worthy organization doing things that we like and agree with. Right now, however, there are more worthy things to do than we can do and we decided not to give them money and we felt badly about it. I am sorry for letting that infiltrate into this group.

In the end, I will write another letter in opposition to this and continue writing letters and continue paying attention to this.

Just had to get that off my chest.

[newyawker99]

10. Hi javadu!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Catherine Vincent]

18. I'm sure you heard the news.

She will go free. Thank God!

[reprobate]

11. And so it will be in any religion with a dominant male god.

Seems to me that this is the logical extension of any religion that worships a dominant male god. The separation of the male and female roles makes it almost necessary that this kind of angry response to the breaking of arbitrary taboos be carried out.

Goddess based religions did not have this terror based response. They concentrated instead on the wonder of birth and rebirth, the natural cycle of life.

Maybe someday we will outgrow this need to dominate others thru fear and punishment.

[demdave]

12. I believe it is a function of power.

If the dominate religion was goddess based and in power for hundreds of years, it too would have degenerated into a form that you would not be able to recognize or tolerate.

[Character Assassin]

13. That seems rather untenable

Seems to me that this is the logical extension of any religion that worships a dominant male god.

Really? The West is overwhelmingly Christian in history and to a lesser degree in practise today, but where is judicially sanctioned death by stoning happening here? The cutting off of hands? The mobs and riots between religious groups?

[The Magistrate]

15. Saved By The Secularist Bell, My Friend

Some centuries ago, you could have found such outrages. Now, fortunately, most people take their religion well-watered. That is the key: the stuff is dangerous only to the extent that people really take it seriously....

[Character Assassin]

16. I think it is a more complex algorythm

That is the key: the stuff is dangerous only to the extent that people really take it seriously....

Some of the variables that must be plugged into it are lack of education, degrees of tribalism, exposure to a wide latitude of media and variety of exposure to other religions.

There are a great many people in the West who take it very seriously, but consider these actions reprehensible and indiciative of serious moral, if not mental, dissonance.

[The Magistrate]

17. From Your View, Sir

Perhaps my error was an imprecision in conflating religion with scripture.

[Maeve]

19. Great relief that she is not going to be stoned!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=131677

[hippiechick]

20. decision in .... continue here .....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=131677&mesg_id=131677




:hippie: