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[Tim Drayton]

Exactly, put it into the social and cultural context of life in the Arabian peninsula in the sixth century and it takes on very different dimensions.

However, it makes my blood boil when something that is borne our by the most reliable sources in Islam is threatened by censorship.

I understand that Tim, but this book is actually a fictional one - based on the Prophet's yougest wife. It has been critised in America as pornographic and I just don't see the point in insulting Islam in these sensitive times.

Tess

This is how the author herself has responded to that charge:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/au ... .terrorism

Jones told the Guardian: "It's ridiculous. I must be a heck of a writer to produce a pornographic book without sex scenes. My book is as realistic a portrayal as I could muster of the prophet Muhammad's harem and his domestic life. Of course it has sexuality, but there is no sex."

We seem to be heading towards a situation in which people in the West quiver with fear whenever an Islamic fundamentalist speaks. This is the slippery slope back to the Spanish inquisition.

I came across quite a positive review of this book on an Islamic website, but I can't find the link to it just now.

[DT.]

Exactly, put it into the social and cultural context of life in the Arabian peninsula in the sixth century and it takes on very different dimensions.

However, it makes my blood boil when something that is borne our by the most reliable sources in Islam is threatened by censorship.

I understand that Tim, but this book is actually a fictional one - based on the Prophet's yougest wife. It has been critised in America as pornographic and I just don't see the point in insulting Islam in these sensitive times.

Tess

What??? I did not want to comment on any of the stuff written about the Prophets life but I cannot for the life of me understand where this attitude has come from! Why the hell should we not criticise, comment or even insult Islam in these sensitive times? Why are they sensitive times? Why should the whole world wear kid gloves when referring to this religion who is just like any other religion in the world.

Your comments are actually more insulting to muslims than non-muslims as it suggests that they do not have the capacity to deal with any insults to their religion (unlike the much ridiculed Christianity) and they might even blow you up for mentioning something.

For craps sake!

[Get Real!]

Exactly, put it into the social and cultural context of life in the Arabian peninsula in the sixth century and it takes on very different dimensions.

However, it makes my blood boil when something that is borne our by the most reliable sources in Islam is threatened by censorship.

I understand that Tim, but this book is actually a fictional one - based on the Prophet's yougest wife. It has been critised in America as pornographic and I just don't see the point in insulting Islam in these sensitive times.

Tess

What??? I did not want to comment on any of the stuff written about the Prophets life but I cannot for the life of me understand where this attitude has come from! Why the hell should we not criticise, comment or even insult Islam in these sensitive times? Why are they sensitive times? Why should the whole world wear kid gloves when referring to this religion who is just like any other religion in the world.

Your comments are actually more insulting to muslims than non-muslims as it suggests that they do not have the capacity to deal with any insults to their religion (unlike the much ridiculed Christianity) and they might even blow you up for mentioning something.

For craps sake!

George Bush and Co, have done enough damage to the world (death & destruction in Iraq and Afghanistan and the subsequent global economy slump) via racism against Islam, so perhaps Tess’ suggestion isn’t so bad after all.

[tessintrnc]

Exactly, put it into the social and cultural context of life in the Arabian peninsula in the sixth century and it takes on very different dimensions.

However, it makes my blood boil when something that is borne our by the most reliable sources in Islam is threatened by censorship.

I understand that Tim, but this book is actually a fictional one - based on the Prophet's yougest wife. It has been critised in America as pornographic and I just don't see the point in insulting Islam in these sensitive times.

Tess

What??? I did not want to comment on any of the stuff written about the Prophets life but I cannot for the life of me understand where this attitude has come from! Why the hell should we not criticise, comment or even insult Islam in these sensitive times? Why are they sensitive times? Why should the whole world wear kid gloves when referring to this religion who is just like any other religion in the world.

Your comments are actually more insulting to muslims than non-muslims as it suggests that they do not have the capacity to deal with any insults to their religion (unlike the much ridiculed Christianity) and they might even blow you up for mentioning something.

For craps sake!

I certainly didn't mean to offend or insult anyone!!! And if I did then I am sorry - it's just my opinion thats all........ And it's not out of fear I say this either! The Moslem fanatics out there just love all this "wicked Western" bashing of Moslems!!

[CBBB]

It's like the British police getting bollocked for targeting young asians in the fight against terrorism, are they supposed target little old white christian women!

When the cap fits it should be worn.

Don't get me wrong, I have great respect for Islam, but that doesn't mean people can't comment.

Although born a Christian, I have know problem with comedians taking the piss out of priests, nuns, monks or any another rank. We would have no bloody jokes at all if we listened to the politically correct crowd!

[FreeSpirit]

It wasn't just Moslems that accepted brides at puberty. Things that happened and were accepted years ago shouldn't taint the whole people. If a girl was ready to re-produce (that is, after her 1st period) then she was ready for marriage, not just in Islamic areas but all over the world!!! Thankfully times have changed for most of us............ But it isn't right to say that all Moslems condone child marriages because the Prophet took such a young bride over 1500 years ago, and this isn't a religious thing - it's a cultural one. In the Royal Courts of Europe of the middle ages, young brides were sent to live with their Spouses parents until of an age for reproduction to begin. Whats the difference? Its still wrong!!!

The way your argument fails is that the Muslims still insist on interpreting the koran as it was written 1500 years ago so whereas the Bible has been updated using up to date terminology.
Quite frankly passages from the koran that are quoted sound ridiculous in the context of modern language yet muslims still insist in the 21st century on following it to the letter as it was written all those years ago.

[denizaksulu]

It wasn't just Moslems that accepted brides at puberty. Things that happened and were accepted years ago shouldn't taint the whole people. If a girl was ready to re-produce (that is, after her 1st period) then she was ready for marriage, not just in Islamic areas but all over the world!!! Thankfully times have changed for most of us............ But it isn't right to say that all Moslems condone child marriages because the Prophet took such a young bride over 1500 years ago, and this isn't a religious thing - it's a cultural one. In the Royal Courts of Europe of the middle ages, young brides were sent to live with their Spouses parents until of an age for reproduction to begin. Whats the difference? Its still wrong!!!

The way your argument fails is that the Muslims still insist on interpreting the koran as it was written 1500 years ago so whereas the Bible has been updated using up to date terminology.
Quite frankly passages from the koran that are quoted sound ridiculous in the context of modern language yet muslims still insist in the 21st century on following it to the letter as it was written all those years ago.

I am sure the passages quoted above are not from the Koran, but are from the Hadith. Written after the death of the prophet.

Even these were written 1400 hundred or so years ago, they would not be valid arguments in this day and age. To bring them up now is pointless unless the person is deliberately being 'anti-Islamic' and or just being a pain in the backside of Muslim fundamentalists.

[Tim Drayton]

I am sure the passages quoted above are not from the Koran, but are from the Hadith. Written after the death of the prophet.

Even these were written 1400 hundred or so years ago, they would not be valid arguments in this day and age. To bring them up now is pointless unless the person is deliberately being 'anti-Islamic' and or just being a pain in the backside of Muslim fundamentalists.

I understand where you are coming from, but don't forget that Sharia law is based on an unwavering acceptance of these hadith even though they belong to an archaic era, and are actually riddled with contradictions. As long as this sytem of law remains in place in parts of the world, and as long as certain pressure groups push for its implementation elsewhere, these 1400 year old tales remain relevant for the modern world.

[pantheman]

Mohammed, at the age of 49, married Aisha when she was 6, but the marriage was not consecrated until she reached the age of 9!
This is according to a number of hadith, or sayings about the life of the prophet, which are considered to be reliable by Muslims (e.g. Bukhari, Es-Sahih 44).

*consummated?

No Deniz, he sexually abused a 9 yo child and used is position to do so. Some Islam huh?

You can keep it mate.

I am not here to defend the indefensible. All religions have their quirky bits. Leave it at that before you begin to accuse me of condoning the way of life 1500 years ago.

Deniz, I know you are smarter than that and I am not looking to accuse you of anything. You are making those assumptions again!

All that I am saying, is that Islam looks up to this guy who is Mr Islam, the danes took a bashing for publishing a simple cartoon and the islamists take his words literally, and that their mr mohamed can do no wrong.

Further, the moslems of today (and especially on this forum) that support Mr Mohamed, I would like to ask, would be happy to present your 9 yo daughters for a 50 yo bloke to has his way?

I bet thats a sounding NO! but at other times you want to chant mohamed mohamed mohamed and wave the qoran in our faces.

Give me a break.

Anyway I have had my rant, end of.

[denizaksulu]

I am sure the passages quoted above are not from the Koran, but are from the Hadith. Written after the death of the prophet.

Even these were written 1400 hundred or so years ago, they would not be valid arguments in this day and age. To bring them up now is pointless unless the person is deliberately being 'anti-Islamic' and or just being a pain in the backside of Muslim fundamentalists.

I understand where you are coming from, but don't forget that Sharia law is based on an unwavering acceptance of these hadith even though they belong to an archaic era, and are actually riddled with contradictions. As long as this sytem of law remains in place in parts of the world, and as long as certain pressure groups push for its implementation elsewhere, these 1400 year old tales remain relevant for the modern world.

I understand Tim. But I still wonderh ow many of the Islamic states who are ruled by the Sharia Law accept these child marriages, which are tantamount to child abuse (in western eyes). Do these states condone such actions even though these are in the Hadith?