[SPUGGIE J]

Religion always has been and always will be used by a minute minority to control the vast majority. People may not set presidence by it as much as they did in the past as we are more open minded. Thing is though thoughs that do follow religion do it out of loyalty conviction belief or even comfort. If we are to live by what the good book (all religions) then it is a way of life not just a belief and acceptance of any laws or punishment held within them books is the norm. As for lashings and forgiving of the offender then yes it is extreme and backward in our eyes but it was not that long ago that our own "beliefs were no better.

Islam is a way of life as is being Hindu Seikh or Buddist. People follow these to the letter yet also accept the teachings to the letter. Ok we are now in 21c but religion plays a big part still for many yet they adapt the way they live to accommodate this century. There will be those that say that it is not quick enough but some change is better than non even if it is considered to slow. With each passing generation something changes and that is how it will always be as we cannot just brush religion under the carpet just to suite ourselves. Personally I think that when religions do come to the west that the followers try and fit in the best they can if allowed to

.Back to the point about the lashings did the paper tell the whole story or just the bits that suited them? Rape is a heinous crime and a shattering one for whom it is committed against but under the laws applied to this was there any provocation in the eyes of the elders? By not reporting it she has broken their laws and might be seen to have wanted it to happen (not very tactful I know) yet being in the club just made matters worse. If you think of what happens over here with rape cases both true and false as well as the methods and excuses used then are we any different? Who has the greater number of cases them or us? when we as a society are perfect then we can condem others.