What about equal opportunity do people not understand? You would imagine that because we are all human, we would be caring to all as we care about ourselves. Yes, this is what is called "the golden rule - Doing unto others as we would have them do unto us". This the rule about moral behavior that Jesus taught about, yes, Muhammad, Buddha, Gandhi, and all the important leaders we know today seem to be saying the same thing. As humans we should care for each other and try to help out those who are unfortunate. Yes, even Socrates, the philosopher, had his students thinking about this fundamental virtue and as he reminded them all the time, this is the best virtue. Why, it is central to what it means to be human.
Unfortunately, we often see humanity acting on the contrary. This evening I just saw pictures of massacre of innocent people including children in Syria. my heart sank, especially as I watched the children die while other cried ceaselessly. Why do human behave like animals? Why? Why do we delight in hurting others? Why do we not want others to have the same opportunity to services - health, education, environment, leadership roles, legal representation and yes,even eat the same food as us? Why is this a bad thing and such a difficult thing for us? Is it in our nature to be this eveil? Confucious would object to such an assumption. But why does it hurt us that much? Why Why why?
The golden rule is the fundamental teachings behind equal opportunity - accessing same services as others in order to improve our lives. it is essentioally about being human and seeking to transcend our animal nature. Yet, we cannot but wonder why this is such a problem to others? Someone, kindly enlighten me?
Meanwhile, I and my WISO supporters will do what we can to improve the lives of those few that we can. We will change one life at a time, and that makes us happy. We will pay rent for an abused women to help her get out of a difficult situation. We will pay tuition for an abused girl to help her go to school and be independent of her abuser. We will feed those who find themselves in difficult situations especially due to abuse. We will advocate and pay legal fees for any woman seeking legal representation to change her situation. and yes, we will continue to produce booklets on abuse to educate those who might be in similar situation how to identify, and end the cycle of abuse.
Yes, the poor will always be here, but we can change the situation of a few and that is what I call humanity. Let's all embrace it and if you have not ever done so, the feeling is soo good. It is better that all the money in the world, better than all the fame in the world. That, to me is worth it. Join me, as we claim and enjoy our human nature- that which is caring to all, in spite of our means. Thanks for listening. I would appreciate any feedback you have. My love is with you all. :)
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Yell about abuse
I worry that most changes in our society today seem to be sidelining the rights of the girl child. of course boys have their burden as well. While abuse is common in our society, girl children are more vulnerable because of patriarchal assumptions.
You know there was a time that women were treated as property. They could not go school, they could not work, they could not control births, they could be married to old men - a 9 year old girl would be married to a 70 year old. They could be raped anyhowly and no one would believe them if they reported. This is happening again. Do you know why, women are relaxing. We are forgeting that we have to stay strong ion order for our rights not to be trampled on. We can not let our society revert to the 1030's when women were seen as vesells for reproduction. We can not let those day back when women had no say in any matter.
We are 52% of the world's population and we have more power that we want to acknoeledge. We have to stop this. I do not suggets fighting anyone, but we have to voice our opinion and let the societuies in which we live know that we cannot let women and girls be abused in the name of culture of religion. We deserve better. our daughters deseve better. Our brothers know better and our fathers know better as well. we should educate them athat we love them so much and that they should extende the same love to us. We have to resist any law or change that marginalizes a woman of any social group.
Without laws to protect our children and to prosecute pedophiles, our children continue to live at risk. This is why, I hope anyone who supports us can make it his her mission to speak against any form of abuse. If we see it, hear about it, smell it, or sense it, we should not take it for granted. We could save our girls and boys from a terrible situation. Talks to anyone you meet. Educate them. You will be surprised how little they know about this issue. take it as your chance to do good to prevent cultural and other forms of abuse.
Work with me. Talk about abuse anytime you get an opportunity. Sing about it, yell about it, rap about it. Let people know that it is wrong and that respect of individual rights is worth it. if you want to own one of our T-shirts, so it speaks for you, let us know at wiso2011@gmail.com. I am passionate about this because I know it takes just one voice to make a change. Imagine if they were two, three, four or more voices? We are yet to accomplish a lot more. Hang in there and you will see.
You want to learn more about abuse,read our booklet on various forms of abuse. Email us at wiso2011@gmail.com to order our beautiful T-shirts. Help spread the word.
You know there was a time that women were treated as property. They could not go school, they could not work, they could not control births, they could be married to old men - a 9 year old girl would be married to a 70 year old. They could be raped anyhowly and no one would believe them if they reported. This is happening again. Do you know why, women are relaxing. We are forgeting that we have to stay strong ion order for our rights not to be trampled on. We can not let our society revert to the 1030's when women were seen as vesells for reproduction. We can not let those day back when women had no say in any matter.
We are 52% of the world's population and we have more power that we want to acknoeledge. We have to stop this. I do not suggets fighting anyone, but we have to voice our opinion and let the societuies in which we live know that we cannot let women and girls be abused in the name of culture of religion. We deserve better. our daughters deseve better. Our brothers know better and our fathers know better as well. we should educate them athat we love them so much and that they should extende the same love to us. We have to resist any law or change that marginalizes a woman of any social group.
Without laws to protect our children and to prosecute pedophiles, our children continue to live at risk. This is why, I hope anyone who supports us can make it his her mission to speak against any form of abuse. If we see it, hear about it, smell it, or sense it, we should not take it for granted. We could save our girls and boys from a terrible situation. Talks to anyone you meet. Educate them. You will be surprised how little they know about this issue. take it as your chance to do good to prevent cultural and other forms of abuse.
Work with me. Talk about abuse anytime you get an opportunity. Sing about it, yell about it, rap about it. Let people know that it is wrong and that respect of individual rights is worth it. if you want to own one of our T-shirts, so it speaks for you, let us know at wiso2011@gmail.com. I am passionate about this because I know it takes just one voice to make a change. Imagine if they were two, three, four or more voices? We are yet to accomplish a lot more. Hang in there and you will see.
You want to learn more about abuse,read our booklet on various forms of abuse. Email us at wiso2011@gmail.com to order our beautiful T-shirts. Help spread the word.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Why we Must Fight for Women’s Health
I thought we lived in the 21st century. Yet, if you have been watching the news, or read newspapers lately, you must have wondered whether our society has reverted to the 13th century. I say this because, there seems to be a war against women’s health, women’s rights, and a disregard of women’s freedom to make choices, and a disregard of their voices in matters that concern them. When we think of abuse, we sometimes forget that it can manifest itself in many ways. Abuse can be physical, psychological, and structural. Abuse can be promoted through laws, cultures and religions. This is why I am concerned and feel I must address this issue is my blog.
To begin with, let’s see what is meant by abuse? Abuse refers to the systematic pattern of behaviors that are used to gain and/or maintain power and control over another. Abuse of women is present when tactics are intentionally used to establish and maintain power and to control over the thoughts, beliefs and behavior women. In all forms of abuse the woman loses some if not all dignity, control, safety and personal power. Abused women change their behavior, preferences and/or choices because they fear the consequences or retaliation of their abuser.
If you are a woman you cannot ignore the controversy in our media about women’s health and the rights to choose. The issue of women health rose to a higher level when a threat was made on the health coverage of Planned Parenthood. When Komen cure, a non- profit organization in Dallas Texas that has fought for women’s health specifically breast cancer threatened to defund Planned Parenthood, women around the world were awakened at they power dynamics at play and the blatant abuse of women’s rights. Soon, religious organizations were in the mix with the resistance of some to provide healthcare to women that included contraceptives.
The controversy over Planned Parenthood and contraceptives has significant implications for women’s rights and health. First, this controversy is not only about non-provision of women with healthcare, a basic right; it is also about women’s sexual control, a social trend that has characterized patriarchal societies for a long time. The basic assumption behind patriarchy is that women are incapable of making right decision and that the society should make these decisions for them. Has anyone wondered why provision of contraceptives is bad for women when healthcare continued to cover Viagra for men? Why the double standards?
Religious organizations have always sanctioned patriarchal societies based on the assumption that sexuality is sinful and a necessary evil that committed individuals ought to stay away from unless they are ready to procreate. In other words, sexual behavior that is not for reproduction is wrong, immoral and sinful. These two assumptions have led to the need to control sexual behavior and therefore to deny women freedom to engage in sex. Contraceptives are considered immoral because they give women ability to engage in sexual behaviors that are not intended to procreate. Abortion is perceived as immoral because it is a consequence of sexual behavior not intended for procreation. Has anyone wondered why God would give men and women sexual desires all year round if at all they are evil and not intended for use? Why would God give us bodies and bodily desires if these are evil? Also, the issue of abortion is multifaceted that to ignore realities associated with it is to live in a utopian world. Bottom line, to deny women their basic rights as human beings to make the rights choices in matters related to sexuality is oppressive and abusive, which to me is not only inhumane, and irreligious, it is also a violation of their basic rights.
There are many health issues that only affect women. Although the control of sexuality is but one dimension of it, most of women’s health issues are related to hormones that make women, women. You have to be a woman to know this that is why men should refrain from speaking for women on any matter that concerns women. The goal of organizations such as Planned Parenthood is to provide information and help that relates to hormonal needs of women such as reproductive health and implications for women general health. For instance, Planned Parenthood provides pelvic exams, pap tests and screening for breast cancer all vital health care needs for women. These tests are used to treat and prevent all forms of sexual infectious and to prevent all forms of cancer thus save lives. Many women have also been treated of infertility issue because of Planned Parenthood. Some cases of infertility are treated by taking contraceptives. You would imagine those who care so much about procreation would see sense in this aspect.
By providing women birth control Planned Parenthood and similar organizations help women to prevent unwanted pregnancies, a necessary step to preventing abortion. Birth controls help women to plan their families. Why do women need to control their birth? There are many reasons that make us want to control our families including economic, social and health reasons. In times of economic difficulty such as these, surely, we cannot expose women to the risk of getting ten children they are unable to take care of. Birth controls therefore make us into responsible parents. If a woman’s health is at risk of pregnancy, birth controls will enable her to live a healthy life without the fear of getting pregnant and risking her life. Birth control methods such as condoms help both men and women to prevent contracting sexually transmitted diseases including deadly ones such as HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and others. I should alert my reader that Hepatitis C is on the increase and is killing more people than HIV. In a nut shell, birth control like any other form of medication helps us to be responsible, and healthy. To deny anyone this opportunity is abusive and a violation of the rights of individuals involved.
Organizations like Planned Parenthood recognize the fact that in real life, there are accidents, disabilities and other forms of obstacles for the realization of a healthy lifestyle. It is for this reason that they offer information of various options to navigate sexual related issues and offer a safe and legal way to end unwanted or a dangerous pregnancy. There are many reasons why women turn to abortion. Statistics indicate that women turn to abortion because of rape, incest, fetal health, maternal health, the need to pursue education, joblessness, or other economic or social reasons.[1] Because some of these reasons are very real for some women’s survival, they are crucial for them. In other words, some women’s lives are dependent on abortion. It is for this reason that they will seek abortions whether legal or illegal. To provide these women with a safe environment to have this procedure is not only morally responsible, it is humane and realistic. Abortion is necessary for some women to save their life. To deny them a chance at life is not only brutal, and abuse, it is a violation of their basic human rights. Understandably, women should be encouraged to give unwanted children up for adoption. However, there are cases where this is not a choice.
Although every human wants to feel in control, accidents do happen in every aspect of life including in relationships. To deny women the rights to make important decisions about their life is not only immoral, it is abusive and a violation of their rights. After all, the good book of Hezekiah reminds us that "God helps those who help themselves!"- Hezekiah 6:1, 3:2.
It is important that the rights of women are protected. It is important that women are recognized as adults who can make their own decisions. It is important that social institutions such as governments and religious institutions stop imposing their will on women. God, as a loving God loves women just as he loves men and understands women just as he understands men. He wants both too live healthy and full lives. Such a life must endow upon them dignity because they are indeed made in the image of God with all their flaws and inabilities. A loving God will love you no matter what.
Religious organizations would come to the aid of women in times of need; this is what Jesus would have done. He embraced a woman who was suffering with the flow of blood for 12 years at a time when her society would have condemned her as sinful- Luke 8:43-48 43. Jesus recognized that women have special needs and these needs are as important as any other need. Muhammad also cared for women as creature of God. He condemned his community that killed girl children because of fear that they would engage in sexual behavior that would dishonor their family. Prophet Muhammad was against what continues to be done to women in the form of honor killings. In sura 81:1-14. A whole chapter in the Qur’an is dedicated to the need of women. As women, we should continue to demand respect and our rights because that is what God would have us do for ourselves. Lets shun all the Pharisee and the holier than thou because God has condemned them in the history of the world.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Human Trafficking is Modern Slavery
Whenever the topic of slavery comes up in any discussion, most people tend to dismiss it as if it is no longer an issue in modern society. Slavery is the most outrageous crimes against humanity. Some of us think it can never happen in a “normal” society as ours. If you are one of these people, I am sorry because I have bad news for you. Slavery is alive and thriving in our world today. It is happening everywhere including our back yard. Yes, those neighbors of ours who look innocent are probably engaging in acts of slavery. Those of you who engage in prostitution are probably supporting slavery. And those of you who seek cheap labor are probably perpetuating modern slavery.
Modern slavery is known as human trafficking. According to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, human trafficking occurs if a person is induced to perform labor or a commercial sex act through force, fraud, or coercion. It is estimated that 2.5 million people are in forced labor including sexual exploitation as a result of trafficking. Of these 2.5 million, 1.4 million(56%) are in Asia and the Pacific. 250,000 (10%) are in Latin America and the Caribbean. 230,000 (9.2%) are in the Middle East and Northern Africa. 130,000( 5.2%) are in sub-Saharan countries of Africa. 270,000( 10.8% ) are in industrialized countries and 200,000( 8%) are in countries in transition.[1] The majority of human trafficking victims are between age 18-24years. An estimated 1.2 million children are trafficked each year. 95% of the victims experience physical and sexual violence during trafficking. 43% are used for forced commercial sexual exploitation and 56% of them are women and girls.[2]
It is estimated that human trafficking profits are as high as US$31.6 billion. 49% of the profit- US$15.5 billion is generated in industrialized economies. 30.6% = US$ 9.7 billion is generated in Asia and the Pacific. 4.1%=US$ 1.3 billion is generated in Latin America and the Caribbean. 5% = 1.6 billion is generated in sub-Sahara Africa and 4.7%=US$ 1.5 billion is generated in the Middle East and North Africa. Most of the traffickers are men (52%) with women comprising about 42%. While in 54% of the cases the recruiter was a stranger to the victim, 46% of the time the recruiter is known to the victim. It is also estimated that 50-75,000 victims are trafficked into America for sexual exploitation. This number does not include the 100,000 – 300,000 American children who are forced into prostitution in the United States. Because human trafficking is a profit making billions industry, it is very difficult to control, or even prosecute traffickers. In 2006 for instance, while only 5,808 cases of human trafficking were prosecuted, only 3,160 convictions were made in the world.
In spite of these seeming obstacles, we can all help stop human trafficking. The power is in the people. It has always been. It is only a challenge to make us all recognize how much power we have to change our society. The challenge is whether and how to identify modern slavery where it exists and to do something about it. We can all stop human trafficking if we learn how to look for and identify a victim of human trafficking. Once you identify a suspicious behavior, all you need to do is call the HHS trafficking hotline at 1-888- 3737-888 to and file an anonymous report. Recruiters known as pimps are known to hang around schools, libraries and places where children can be found. You can also help stop human trafficking by spreading the news about human trafficking in our modern societies. We can also stop buying cheap labor products by demanding fair trade certified products. When you go to Starbucks for coffee for instance, demand fair trade certified coffee. This is one way to raise awareness and to voice concern.
Many a times, children who are reported as missing end up in human trafficking. They are kidnapped and trafficked for labor and sexual exploitation. In the United States, for instance, it is reported that 3,000 children go missing every day with only a few cases appearing in the news. Have you ever wondered what happens to them? If we teach our friends and family about the reality of human trafficking, we can save many from pimps and other human traffickers. We need to strategize more to protect our children from modern slavery.
As we observe the National Slavery and Human Trafficking prevention month, - January – we need to think deeply about this human atrocity and especially how we can help to end it. Let us remember that the United States senate resolution of June 22, 2007 that marked January 11th the day of awareness and vigilance for the countless victims of Human Trafficking across the globe is just the first step to ending human trafficking. As President Obama said in his proclamation speech, we stand with all those who are held in compelled service; we recognize the people, organizations, and government entities that are working to combat human trafficking; and we recommit to bring an end to this inexcusable human rights abuse.”[3] Donations to shelters to help support those who are rescued from human trafficking go a long way to support those who want to escape this circle of abuse. If you feel called to act in donation form, you can send your donations to WISO Organizations. Our address is 229 Orton Drive, Greenville NC 27858. All donations are passed on to shelters to help rescue victims of human trafficking so they can transition to normal life.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Rape is Rape
I thought I should share this with my readers. it is a win for abused women. See below.
We did it! FBI Director Robert Mueller gave final approval to update the archaic definition of rape.
We did it thanks to you and the more than 160,000 emails we sent requesting a change in the way the FBI Uniform Crime Report defines rape.
With a modern, broader definition, FBI statistics will finally show the true breadth of this violence that affects so many women's lives. Women's groups will work to ensure that this more accurate and complete data will lead to increased resources to combat and reduce the incidence of rape.
The old definition, adopted over 80 years ago, had been extensively criticized for leading to widespread underreporting of rape. Defined as "the carnal knowledge of a female, forcibly and against her will," it excluded rapes involving forced anal sex and/or oral sex, rape with an object (even if serious injuries resulted) and rapes of men, and was interpreted by many police jurisdictions to exclude rapes where the victim was incapacitated by drugs or alcohol, or otherwise unable to give consent. The old rape definition excluded many rapes against women and all against men.
The new definition, as it appears on the FBI website, is: "Penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim."
This is a major policy change and will dramatically impact the way rape is tracked and reported nationwide. Thank you for your continued support throughout this campaign. Please take a minute to thank Director Mueller and the FBI, who finally changed the archaic definition of rape. Together, we are helping to make sure that all rapes will be counted.
For women's lives,
We did it! FBI Director Robert Mueller gave final approval to update the archaic definition of rape.
We did it thanks to you and the more than 160,000 emails we sent requesting a change in the way the FBI Uniform Crime Report defines rape.
With a modern, broader definition, FBI statistics will finally show the true breadth of this violence that affects so many women's lives. Women's groups will work to ensure that this more accurate and complete data will lead to increased resources to combat and reduce the incidence of rape.
The old definition, adopted over 80 years ago, had been extensively criticized for leading to widespread underreporting of rape. Defined as "the carnal knowledge of a female, forcibly and against her will," it excluded rapes involving forced anal sex and/or oral sex, rape with an object (even if serious injuries resulted) and rapes of men, and was interpreted by many police jurisdictions to exclude rapes where the victim was incapacitated by drugs or alcohol, or otherwise unable to give consent. The old rape definition excluded many rapes against women and all against men.
The new definition, as it appears on the FBI website, is: "Penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim."
This is a major policy change and will dramatically impact the way rape is tracked and reported nationwide. Thank you for your continued support throughout this campaign. Please take a minute to thank Director Mueller and the FBI, who finally changed the archaic definition of rape. Together, we are helping to make sure that all rapes will be counted.
For women's lives,
 | ||
| Eleanor Smeal President Feminist Majority Foundation |
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Rape and Sexual Assault is abuse!!! Protect our Children
As the year ends, I thought we should reflect upon the rights of our children. I say this because I can’t seem to shake the bad taste in my mouth brought by recent news stories that continue to dominate the media about the abuse of our children. Just today, December 23, 2011, there was this story in the media about a mother who send her eight year old daughter into prostitution. An eight year old? Some of you must be wondering. Yes, indeed. The Huffington post ran a story about a Florida Mom, who allegedly offered up her 8-year-old daughter for prostitution. According to Panama City Police Sgt. Jeff Becker, Mims was at a Panama City business when she approached a random male stranger and offered her daughter to him for $100. Mims allegedly told the man that her daughter "would do anything the male wanted and would not tell anyone about it." God bless the man who displayed moral maturity by immediately reporting the incident to police. As Renee Willoughby, the executive board president of the Gulf Coast Children's Advocacy Center, has correctly observed, "Everyone is horrified that this happened in our community, but, unfortunately, it is something that happens somewhere every day. It is just beyond words."
Not long ago, our news media was flashed by Penn State University scandal; when a trusted former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was charged with 52 counts of sexually molesting boys. He was charged on November 5 with 40 counts of abusing eight boys over 15 years. On December 7, he was charged with a further 12 counts of abusing two other boys. What is sickening about this story is how irresponsible adults that were aware of the abuse were. What reason would any one give for not protecting a child from a pedophile? What kind of message are adults sending our young children?
Before we dismiss this as an isolated case, we need to think hard and be real about the situation of our children. On December 23, 2011 as I was just preparing to post this blog, there appeared again another sexual assault story about a minor. Paul Daniel Kunzler, a 34 year old Utah man was accused of raping a 13-year-old girl. Kunzler, who is being held without bail in the Salt Lake County Jail on two counts of rape, three counts of sodomy and three counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, was shot accidentally by his roommate. When the police conducted a search of the home he shared with four adult male roommates, they made a shocking discovery in the basement. They discovered a 13-year-old female hiding in a closet." Although it was not determined to whom the 13 year old belonged to, sexual assault of a minor was evident and Kunzler and his room maters were either aware of the abuse or involved.
One can only wonder what is happening to our social morals. When our society arrives at this sick place, we need to wake up the human in all of us. We need to do something to restore our morals. Two fundamental questions to reflect about are: First, how many cases like these exist out there that have not reported by the media? Second, what can we do as a community to stop this? I would like to hear from my readers. This abuse discussion seems like dejavu once again after going through sickening experience of how Catholic priests have abused young boys for a long time. We can only hope the situation is better in other congregations. Let us not forget the fact the most trusted members of our society are the ones that let us down. Parents and priests have not led by a good example. The controversy within the Catholic Church about Priests’ abuse of young boys is an area to begin. If these priests are not held responsible for their actions the behavior cannot stop. Similarly, parents must be held responsible for abusing or allowing their children to be abused.
It is my opinion that where trusted people in our society fail us, they should receive the ultimate punishment. Priests should be dismissed from their priestly roles while parents should be denied the opportunity to be a parent. If we cannot count on the most trusted members of our society – parents, pastors, Imams, Rabbis and other religious leaders – then our society needs to be refurbished. Those with the spine to stand for humane values ought to do it to protect our society. It is for this reason I write to implore our readers, especially religious leaders to advocate and protect our children. I believe my readers can do something to protect all children everywhere as well. If you see or suspect something is going on, do not dismiss it. Voice it!! Remember, where there is smoke, there often fire. Our children look upon us. Let’s not let them down. Enjoy your happy holidays and I wish you all a prosperous, moral new year. To read more about the stories I referenced, visit the following links:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/13/us-usa-crime-coach
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/23/paul-kunzler-arrested-utah
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
God does not sanction abuse!!
It is interesting that some of the abuse we experience in our communities are justified by some religious leaders. For instance, some have been misled to believe that female genital cutting is sanctioned by religions such as Islam and sometimes Christianity. In some Muslims countries, honor killing is believed to be an injunction of Islam. This is not true!!
Although in various religions such as Judaism, Islam and Christianity, the scripture is often used to justify submission of women such as insisting that women to stay in relationships such as marriage “until death do us part,” it is often forgotten that God cannot insist that you stay in an abusive relationships. Most people forget that all forms of abuse that are mentioned in the scripture are culturally based. In other words, they have nothing to do with the religious values the religion teaches. They are mere duplications of cultural practices of the communities in which these prophets lived.
When you examine the fundamental values of most religions, they are based on love of all, justice and care of everyone. Most religions speak of compassion and how to care for our neighbors. Most religions promote the Golden rule. In Christianity for instance, the golden rule is frequently taught in the Gospels. Luke Gospel says: “Do unto others as your would have them do to you (Luke 6:31). All religious founders called upon their followers to promote social justice by caring for the oppressed. Don't you think it is contradictory to call for love of your neighbor and call for abuse at the same time? One of these statements is definitely true where religion is concerned. I think the similarities in all religions are the basis of how religious values are to be interpreted. Loving humankind is the fundamental love. Showing compassionate to each other is the ultimate value. partnership in relationships is the best relationship God would ask for. I believe that God would condemn any abusive relationship and ask those involved to part ways.
A good example here would be to look at how Jesus would respond. Jesus exemplified this when he condemned the Jewish culture that condoned the abuse of women. When an adulterous woman was brought to him for stoning according to the Jewish tradition (Lev.20:10), Jesus responded: “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone” (John 8:7). Realizing that stoning any human being is inhumane, Jesus protected the women. he did not to ignore the crime just because the Jewish law allowed it. he condemned a law that was discriminative, and abusive. He recognize the fact that this woman was human and that her human worth trumps any form of law. That is how a God thinks. Where God is involved, love prevails. Where God is not, abuse fails. if we are Godly, we should not allow any form of abuse to affect us, or our neighbors. That is what God would want us to do. Choose good, because God stands for good.
Your friend, Mary
Although in various religions such as Judaism, Islam and Christianity, the scripture is often used to justify submission of women such as insisting that women to stay in relationships such as marriage “until death do us part,” it is often forgotten that God cannot insist that you stay in an abusive relationships. Most people forget that all forms of abuse that are mentioned in the scripture are culturally based. In other words, they have nothing to do with the religious values the religion teaches. They are mere duplications of cultural practices of the communities in which these prophets lived.
When you examine the fundamental values of most religions, they are based on love of all, justice and care of everyone. Most religions speak of compassion and how to care for our neighbors. Most religions promote the Golden rule. In Christianity for instance, the golden rule is frequently taught in the Gospels. Luke Gospel says: “Do unto others as your would have them do to you (Luke 6:31). All religious founders called upon their followers to promote social justice by caring for the oppressed. Don't you think it is contradictory to call for love of your neighbor and call for abuse at the same time? One of these statements is definitely true where religion is concerned. I think the similarities in all religions are the basis of how religious values are to be interpreted. Loving humankind is the fundamental love. Showing compassionate to each other is the ultimate value. partnership in relationships is the best relationship God would ask for. I believe that God would condemn any abusive relationship and ask those involved to part ways.
A good example here would be to look at how Jesus would respond. Jesus exemplified this when he condemned the Jewish culture that condoned the abuse of women. When an adulterous woman was brought to him for stoning according to the Jewish tradition (Lev.20:10), Jesus responded: “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone” (John 8:7). Realizing that stoning any human being is inhumane, Jesus protected the women. he did not to ignore the crime just because the Jewish law allowed it. he condemned a law that was discriminative, and abusive. He recognize the fact that this woman was human and that her human worth trumps any form of law. That is how a God thinks. Where God is involved, love prevails. Where God is not, abuse fails. if we are Godly, we should not allow any form of abuse to affect us, or our neighbors. That is what God would want us to do. Choose good, because God stands for good.
Your friend, Mary
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