Yeah no offense Arn, but when it comes too this particular story, your just plain wrong.. And instead of admitting your wrong, about this story, your deflecting by trying to say those who are calling out your falsehood, somehow must support pedophiles and child marriage, which is the very definition of, as Tony said.. Obtuse..
But!
If you want to change the topic to religious pedophiles, and want to talk about that, i think you will find everyone here is on the exact same page as yourself..
But the actual story you posted is fake, false, faux, not true.. And you keep defending it, when all you gotta do is change it around somewhat. It doesn't matter if the story you posted is about something all of us here are no doubt passionately against and want to eradicate from the earth, but you do the cause of ending religious pedophiles, and child marriages, or just pedophiles in general any good by defending what is, and has been proven to be a fake story.
Focus on the general problem itself, and i think this discussion would take a strong turn for the better.. Everyone here might even agree on something for once.
Jonesy, why do all these news articles appear in all these countries concerning the same problem if it is Arns85GT posting his own theory or a fabrication?
There are some people on here that vigorously defended an admitted pedophile/member here. They even were foaming at the mouth when the pedo was banned, because he was going to jail for his crime. I bet some might even post in this thread, if they haven't done so already.
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11:11 PM
Nov 24th, 2013
rinselberg Member
Posts: 16118 From: Sunnyvale, CA (USA) Registered: Mar 2010
Originally posted by avengador1: There are some people on here that vigorously defended an admitted pedophile/member here. They even were foaming at the mouth when the pedo was banned, because he was going to jail for his crime. I bet some might even post in this thread, if they haven't done so already.
Yeah no offense Arn, but when it comes too this particular story, your just plain wrong.. And instead of admitting your wrong, about this story, your deflecting by trying to say those who are calling out your falsehood, somehow must support pedophiles and child marriage, which is the very definition of, as Tony said.. Obtuse..
But!
If you want to change the topic to religious pedophiles, and want to talk about that, i think you will find everyone here is on the exact same page as yourself..
But the actual story you posted is fake, false, faux, not true.. And you keep defending it, when all you gotta do is change it around somewhat. It doesn't matter if the story you posted is about something all of us here are no doubt passionately against and want to eradicate from the earth, but you do the cause of ending religious pedophiles, and child marriages, or just pedophiles in general any good by defending what is, and has been proven to be a fake story.
Focus on the general problem itself, and i think this discussion would take a strong turn for the better.. Everyone here might even agree on something for once.
There are some people on here that vigorously defended an admitted pedophile/member here. They even were foaming at the mouth when the pedo was banned, because he was going to jail for his crime. I bet some might even post in this thread, if they haven't done so already.
When somebody calls black, white, and denies facts presented, calling the poster a liar, you really have to wonder what their vested interest is
Arn
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08:49 AM
84fiero123 Member
Posts: 29950 From: farmington, maine usa Registered: Oct 2004
Main Articles: Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Pedophilia and Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Aisha
There are many references in authentic Islamic scripture concerning the permissibility of pedophilia.
Narrated Sahl bin Sad: While we were sitting in the company of the Prophet a woman came to him and presented herself (for marriage) to him. The Prophet looked at her, lowering his eyes and raising them, but did not give a reply. One of his companions said, "Marry her to me O Allah's Apostle!" The Prophet asked (him), "Have you got anything?" He said, "I have got nothing." The Prophet said, "Not even an iron ring?" He Sad, "Not even an iron ring, but I will tear my garment into two halves and give her one half and keep the other half." The Prophet; said, "No. Do you know some of the Quran (by heart)?" He said, "Yes." The Prophet said, "Go, I have agreed to marry her to you with what you know of the Qur'an (as her Mahr)." 'And for those who have no courses (i.e. they are still immature). (65.4) And the 'Iddat for the girl before puberty is three months (in the above Verse).
Sahih Bukhari 7:62:63
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) married her when she was seven years old, and he was taken to his house as a bride when she was nine, and her dolls were with her; and when he (the Holy Prophet) died she was eighteen years old.
seems to be their religious right to do so, nice to know that even in their scriptures they are allowed to do these things. make everything all right then doesn't it.
Steve
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.
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10:28 AM
rinselberg Member
Posts: 16118 From: Sunnyvale, CA (USA) Registered: Mar 2010
Originally posted by 84fiero123: There are many references in authentic Islamic scripture concerning the permissibility of pedophilia.
My first question is whether these passages from various Islamic texts are prescriptive--or descriptive? Mohammed married a preadolescent (or even pre-preadolescent) girl, way back in the 7th century when he lived. Does that contradict the idea that today, such a marriage would be impermissible, because a Muslim living today should realize that this doesn't work well in the world as it now exists?
Does Islam authenticate that Mohammed was divine and infallible, or was he human and fallible? My understanding of Islam is small, but I am inclined towards "human and fallible". My understanding is that Mohammed was not some earthly incarnation of Allah, but just a man, who was only exceptional among men in that he was the first to receive the complete message of God. (Moses and Jesus and the other lesser prophets of Islam only received part of the message.)
I wanted to find the exact words (can't find them right now), but this contemporary Islamic scholar is saying that it is not enough for a Muslim to know that the Qur'an says that such and such happened. The Muslim has to understand why the Qur'an says that such and such happened--and what it means as the Muslim finds the world today.
Could it be that the meaning of these passages for a contemporary Muslim should be that marriage is good--not that marriage to an underage girl is good?
This reminds me of the Old Testament, where God commanded the Jews to conquer the land of Israel by killing every last Canaanite who was already living there--every Canaanite man, woman, child, and all their livestock and their dogs (and cats, if they had any). That's descriptive--but is it prescriptive? Would it be a good idea for Jews, and for any Christians that accept the Old Testament as foundational, to think too literally along those particular lines today?
I would suggest to all the others here, such as 84fiero123, and myself (memo to self)--who are inclined to post certain passages from the Islamic texts and then offer their interpretation of what this means--that we continue to enlarge our understanding of Islam (by whatever means), before climbing out on a dangerously fragile limb by drawing premature or under informed conclusions. Thanks to the justly exalted Buddha and the parable of the Blind Men and the Elephant, we should already know where that leads--to senseless, irrelevant and unending disputes--and not to knowledge.
Or instead of enlarging our understanding of Islam, we could just stop talking about it altogether.
But that probably won't happen.
[This message has been edited by rinselberg (edited 11-24-2013).]
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12:12 PM
84fiero123 Member
Posts: 29950 From: farmington, maine usa Registered: Oct 2004
oh I don't believe a word of any of the so called words of god were ever written by any supreme being but written by men who just wanted to control other men and take advantage of them and women by saying, "These are the words of God, Mohamed, Jesus" or any other mythical creature. just the original snake oil salesmen of history.
But so many of those who believe that crap written in whatever their religion of choice and live by them to the letter are no better than the snake oil salesmen who wrote them, or maybe just naive.
Steve
[This message has been edited by 84fiero123 (edited 11-24-2013).]
My first question is whether these passages from various Islamic texts are prescriptive--or descriptive? Mohammed married a preadolescent (or even pre-preadolescent) girl, way back in the 7th century when he lived. Does that contradict the idea that today, such a marriage would be impermissible, because a Muslim living today should realize that this doesn't work well in the world as it now exists?
Does Islam authenticate that Mohammed was divine and infallible, or was he human and fallible? My understanding of Islam is small, but I am inclined towards "human and fallible". My understanding is that Mohammed was not some earthly incarnation of Allah, but just a man, who was only exceptional among men in that he was the first to receive the complete message of God. (Moses and Jesus and the other lesser prophets of Islam only received part of the message.)
I wanted to find the exact words (can't find them right now), but this contemporary Islamic scholar is saying that it is not enough for a Muslim to know that the Qur'an says that such and such happened. The Muslim has to understand why the Qur'an says that such and such happened--and what it means as the Muslim finds the world today.
Could it be that the meaning of these passages for a contemporary Muslim should be that marriage is good--not that marriage to an underage girl is good?
This reminds me of the Old Testament, where God commanded the Jews to conquer the land of Israel by killing every last Canaanite who was already living there--every Canaanite man, woman, child, and all their livestock and their dogs (and cats, if they had any). That's descriptive--but is it prescriptive? Would it be a good idea for Jews, and for any Christians that accept the Old Testament as foundational, to think too literally along those particular lines today?
I would suggest to all the others here, such as 84fiero123, and myself (memo to self)--who are inclined to post certain passages from the Islamic texts and then offer their interpretation of what this means--that we continue to enlarge our understanding of Islam (by whatever means), before climbing out on a dangerously fragile limb by drawing premature or under informed conclusions. Thanks to the justly exalted Buddha and the parable of the Blind Men and the Elephant, we should already know where that leads--to senseless, irrelevant and unending disputes--and not to knowledge.
Or instead of enlarging our understanding of Islam, we could just stop talking about it altogether.
But that probably won't happen.
Fact of the matter is, 4 out of 5 muslim pre-pubecscents girls are raped by their parents in the middle east according to statistics. Here are some more facts for you and Newf.
quote
Muslim Statistics on Pedophilia Main Article: Muslim Statistics (Children)
This page consists of various statistics concerning Islam and children. A small sample include:
4 out of 5 Middle-Eastern women are sexually abused between the ages of 3 and 6 by family members. More than half of all Yemeni girls are married before reaching the age of puberty. With more than 3,900 children within 6 months, Indonesia tops the UN bodies list for child trafficking cases 2,000 child sex abuse claims in 1 year at Pakistani Islamic schools, but not even 1 successful prosecution
Are you two still going to argue that there isn't a problem here? There are no statistics on the abuse of North American girls by their Muslim parents, but I would wager they would be along similar lines as the core tenet of their religion is the worship of a violent pedophile. If one didn't have similar values, why else would they associate with this faith?
[This message has been edited by loafer87gt (edited 11-24-2013).]
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01:12 PM
PFF
System Bot
rinselberg Member
Posts: 16118 From: Sunnyvale, CA (USA) Registered: Mar 2010
Originally posted by loafer87gt: Fact of the matter is, 4 out of 5 Muslim pre-pubecscents girls are raped by their parents in the middle east according to statistics. Here are some more facts for you... Are you... still going to argue that there isn't a problem here? There are no statistics on the abuse of North American girls by their Muslim parents, but I would wager they would be along similar lines as the core tenet of their religion is the worship of a violent pedophile. If one didn't have similar values, why else would they associate with this faith?
I didn't say that there wasn't a problem. I didn't even say that there wasn't a huge problem. There's a crap load of unsavory practices and customs involving underage girls in various parts of the world and among various demographics, and the Middle East and its Muslims are right at the very top of the list.
I see an "Islam gap". There's a huge disconnect between what Islam teaches, and what some millions around the world who claim an affiliation with Islam (Muslims) are practicing. That's my opinion, of course, but ever since I first entered this discussion (which started umpteen zillion posts before this one), I have tried to substantiate the validity of my opinion. So I continue to disagree with your characterization of the "core tenets" of their religion.
In my opinion, an authentic Muslim worships Allah, not Mohammed. Allah is eternal. Mohammed, only temporal.
As far as your wager about Muslims in North America, I'm skeptical about it; about Muslims in the United States (not Canada), even more skeptical about your wager.
I think there are two kinds of Muslims who relocate to the U.S. There are the knuckle-draggers who want to import the widespread stupidity that abounds in the Middle East, North and Central Africa, Af-Pak, and parts of Southeast Asia and other Muslim lands--import that to the U.S. And there are Muslims who relocate here, partly or wholly to practice a more authentic kind of Islam, along the lines that I have tried to substantiate.
As you just said, "there are no statistics on the abuse of North American girls by their Muslim parents". The statistic for U.S.-based Muslims is perhaps somewhat higher than for other parts of the U.S. demographic, but I doubt that it even approaches the staggeringly ugly statistics that you just presented for the Middle East. (I'm not so sure that your "4 out of 5" [Middle East] holds up all the way, but I certainly wouldn't want to underestimate it.)
As far as Muslims in Canada, Muslims in the U.K., Muslims in other European countries... I dunno. YMMV. I don't see any of that as contrary to the premise of an "Islam gap" that I am trying to validate.
[This message has been edited by rinselberg (edited 11-24-2013).]
Are you two still going to argue that there isn't a problem here? There are no statistics on the abuse of North American girls by their Muslim parents, but I would wager they would be along similar lines as the core tenet of their religion is the worship of a violent pedophile. If one didn't have similar values, why else would they associate with this faith?
No one is stating that Child abuse isn't a problem and further more a sickening practice.
Though I wouldn't trust the stats you quoted as they are from a well known hate site (wikiIslam). The 80 percent rate seems way to high to be true.
[This message has been edited by newf (edited 11-24-2013).]
No one is stating that Child abuse isn't a problem and further more a sickening practice.
Though I wouldn't trust the stats you quoted as they are from a well known hate site (wikiIslam). The 80 percent rate seems way to high to be true.
Please inform us as to how you to know Wiki-Islam is a known hate site. There are a number of sources listed to backup their statistics, unless you have some other source to back up your defense of pedophilia. Newf, your Islamic leaning tendencies have become common knowledge to the forum, but I am disappointed to see you so eager to backup their pedophilia beliefs. But, then again, isn't that the leftists creed - if it feels good - do it. Even if she is pre-prepubescent like Mohamed chose for his bride to be. Just thank god we have a few sane people such as Stan to keep you monsters at bay and away from our children. I know it will get me a few negs, but people like you sicken me for standing up for these animals!
[This message has been edited by loafer87gt (edited 11-25-2013).]
In Canada, we have Muslims who actually oppose Middle Eastern Islamic practices
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Nov. 20, 2013) - Eight Progressive Canadian Muslim Organizations are launching a Coalition in Parliament Hill, Ottawa on Thursday evening, Nov 21 where Minister Jason Kenny and Minister Tim Uppal shall be the chief guests. The Coalition of Progressive Canadian Muslim Organizations (CPCMO) is an umbrella for progressive Muslims across Canada who uphold Canadian values especially separation of religion and politics, gender equality, one law for all, freedom of expression and education against radicalization.
Please inform us as to how you to know Wiki-Islam is a known hate site. There are a number of sources listed to backup their statistics, unless you have some other source to back up your defense of pedophilia. Newf, your Islamic leaning tendencies have become common knowledge to the forum, but I am disappointed to see you so eager to backup their pedophilia beliefs. But, then again, isn't that the leftists creed - if it feels good - do it. Even if she is pre-prepubescent like Mohamed chose for his bride to be. Just thank god we have a few sane people such as Stan to keep you monsters at bay and away from our children. I know it will get me a few negs, but people like you sicken me for standing up for these animals!
You seem to have trouble reading or understanding my posts if you think I have supported pedophilia or child marriage by anyone.
You have not stated you support pedophilia, but your actions speak otherwise.
Arn
That's a ridiculous, objectionable and slanderous statement that I expect you to take back.
quote
Originally posted by Arns85GT:
You attack posts without cause and misrepresent your objections such as accusing me of promoting a fraudulent premise without proof.
I am accusing you of posting pictures and misrepresenting what they actually are. If you had a point to make at least do so with honest sources and information not hate speech and pictures taken out of context.
quote
Originally posted by Arns85GT:
When you are shown to be inappropriately and errantly accusing, you simply sidestep it and go back to attacking. Arn
I am not errantly accusing. If the pictures you posted show what you claimed feel free to prove otherwise you have posted pure .
Also please show where I have attacked anyone.
quote
Originally posted by Arns85GT:
You are in fact, attacking in defence of these people who are a parriah on the world
Arn
I am not attacking anyone just pointing out your false representation of pictures to further your hate of a people whom you consider a pariah on the world.
[This message has been edited by newf (edited 11-25-2013).]
"Tim Marshall, a reporter who covered the event for Sky News, later posted a denunciatory blog entry condemning the Internet-circulated claims of "child brides" as nothing more than uninformed, scurrilous rumor-mongering." http://www.snopes.com/photo...tics/masswedding.asp
I wouldn't worry too much. I'm sure that this report came from the tiny minority of assclown journalists, and that most fact-loving journalists would decry one who publishes a faked-up report as not being a true journalist or following the true meaning of journalism.
I'm not certain about his religion, as he didn't mention it. What is certain is that he admitted sleeping with a thirteen year old girl and went to jail for doing so.
Yeah no offense Arn, but when it comes too this particular story, your just plain wrong.. And instead of admitting your wrong, about this story, your deflecting by trying to say those who are calling out your falsehood, somehow must support pedophiles and child marriage, which is the very definition of, as Tony said.. Obtuse..
But!
If you want to change the topic to religious pedophiles, and want to talk about that, i think you will find everyone here is on the exact same page as yourself..
But the actual story you posted is fake, false, faux, not true.. And you keep defending it, when all you gotta do is change it around somewhat. It doesn't matter if the story you posted is about something all of us here are no doubt passionately against and want to eradicate from the earth, but you do the cause of ending religious pedophiles, and child marriages, or just pedophiles in general any good by defending what is, and has been proven to be a fake story.
Focus on the general problem itself, and i think this discussion would take a strong turn for the better.. Everyone here might even agree on something for once.
Not this story again, don't believe everything you see on the internet because it fits your own bias.
And seriously didn't Jesus or the Bible say something about those without sin casting the first stone? [This message has been edited by newf (edited 11-22-2013).]
So you say somebody is also a pedophile who posts an objection to the practice?
Newf said
quote
Should I post news stories of Christian pedophiles or can we agree that it happens in all faiths?[/quote
Deflection? To take the heat off the perpetrators?
Newf said
[quote]THat's exactly the point I was making it isn't confined to any religion IMO, these losers exist in many segments of society however the OP's photos and story are
So if you don't like the pics, find another one that represents the issue.
So by continually attacking a non-issue, (a story I did not quote) you are deflecting from a real problem being discussed. Yes you are mounting a defence. It is called obfuscate and dedirect the discussion. Why not simply acknowledge the problem and the reason your own government sponsored a UN resolution to oppose the practice? Or are you unaware your Government has been working on this problem for over a year?
And yes there are pedophiles around the world, but no, most countries do not allow adults to marry children or turn a blind eye to the practice.
Arn
[This message has been edited by Arns85GT (edited 11-25-2013).]
No one is denying that Child Marriage is a debatable and in some cases sickening (IMO) practice.
HOWEVER
The Pics you posted in the OP are part of a well recognized internet article that has been used many times to try and outrage people to further a bigoted and hateful point of view against people of a certain faith. YOU by posting the pictures (unwittingly maybe?) are furthering a false report of a mass child marriage.
In other words the pics you posted and the relating story which goes with those pictures are pure .
If you want to have a discussion about the age your or any other faith considers or have considered old enough to Marry let's have at it.
[This message has been edited by newf (edited 11-25-2013).]
Keep waiting Newf. I posted a pic(s) not an article. And you have been making the issue me instead of the issue under discussion.
You are misdirecting and changing the subject. Jonesy, on the other hand told me
quote
Yeah no offense Arn
and then accused me of lying.
I repeat, I did not reference in any way the article associated with the pic, and if you have another pic that represents the issue, post it with my blessing and I may even use it myself
Keep waiting Newf. I posted a pic(s) not an article. And you have been making the issue me instead of the issue under discussion.
You are misdirecting and changing the subject. Jonesy, on the other hand told me Yeah no offense Arn and then accused me of lying.
I repeat, I did not reference in any way the article associated with the pic, and if you have another pic that represents the issue, post it with my blessing and I may even use it myself
Arn
You couldn't man up admit your pic was and you can't man up and apologize for you slanderous comment. Oh well I can't say I'm shocked.
Enjoy your hate fest, let me know if you want to actually discuss the issue of Child Marriage or only see it as a one faith issue.
Every year, approximately 14 million girls are married before they turn 18, across countries, cultures and religions. Robbed of their childhood, denied their rights to health, education and security.
But it's only Muslims isn't it?
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11:32 AM
2.5 Member
Posts: 43235 From: Southern MN Registered: May 2007
My first question is whether these passages from various Islamic texts are prescriptive--or descriptive? Mohammed married a preadolescent (or even pre-preadolescent) girl, way back in the 7th century when he lived. Does that contradict the idea that today, such a marriage would be impermissible, because a Muslim living today should realize that this doesn't work well in the world as it now exists? .. I would suggest to all the others here, such as 84fiero123, and myself (memo to self)--who are inclined to post certain passages from the Islamic texts and then offer their interpretation of what this means--that we continue to enlarge our understanding of Islam (by whatever means), before climbing out on a dangerously fragile limb by drawing premature or under informed conclusions. Or instead of enlarging our understanding of Islam, we could just stop talking about it altogether.
So you would then infer that if this is being done today it should be stopped not defended, correct?
Actually while not just Muslims here is the list of countries by percentage where child brides is a problem from pbs Child Marriage Around the World Percentage of girls marrying before the age of 18 1 Niger 76.6 2 Chad 71.5 3 Bangladesh 68.7 4 Mali 65.4 5 Guinea 64.5 6 Central African Republic 57.0 7 Nepal 56.1 8 Mozambique 55.9 9 Uganda 54.1 10 Burkina Faso 51.9 11 India 50.0 12 Ethiopia 49.1 13 Liberia 48.4 13 Yemen 48.4 15 Cameroon 47.2 16 Eritrea 47.0 17 Malawi 46.9 18 Nicaragua 43.3 18 Nigeria 43.3 20 Zambia 42.1
Notice the majority of the problem is in Muslim countries
The World Health Organization WHOhas a slightly different list
Top 10 Countries
The 10 countries with the highest rates of child marriage are: Niger, 75%; Chad and Central African Republic, 68%; Bangladesh, 66%; Guinea, 63%; Mozambique, 56%; Mali, 55%; Burkina Faso and South Sudan, 52%; and Malawi, 50%.
In terms of absolute numbers, because of the size of its population, India has the most child marriages and a in 47% of all marriages the bride is a child.
India is an interesting case because it passed a law in 1978 that brides had to be 18, CBN News reports
Secret Weddings
April and May are popular months for marriages in Rajasthan. Villages will hold thousands of ceremonies, the majority of them between minors.
"Every year you'll see the images of parents holding their children, sometimes as young as 4 or 5 years old, in their lap as they get married," Dabi said.
India first introduced laws against child marriage in 1929, and back then the legal age for marriage was set at 12. It was eventually increased to 18 years old in 1978.
To evade the law, families often perform marriages in secret, usually late at night. Outsiders are rarely allowed to attend these ceremonies, let alone film them.
This appears to be Children marrying vs. the Muslim practice of older men with child brides.
In Palestine, while the practice is not legal, Muslims still practice it as reported by National Geographic
In short, although not confined to Muslims, the practice certainly is most common in the the Muslim communities, regardless of laws, which are not usually enforced.
This is well known, although not accepted by some
Arn
[This message has been edited by Arns85GT (edited 11-25-2013).]
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04:07 PM
Wichita Member
Posts: 20685 From: Wichita, Kansas Registered: Jun 2002
I'm curious what the percentage of under 18 women are married in Christian North America or the percentage of girls who have been sexually abused in Christian North America.
Every state in the USA, I believe, is legal to marry under 18. You can be as young as 15 in Canada.
To be quite honest, its just pot calling the kettle black.
Nobody wants to take a clear look at themselves, but instead just wants to make others be the bad guys as if they are so pure and righteous.
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04:49 PM
2.5 Member
Posts: 43235 From: Southern MN Registered: May 2007
I'm curious what the percentage of under 18 women are married in Christian North America or the percentage of girls who have been sexually abused in Christian North America.
Every state in the USA, I believe, is legal to marry under 18. You can be as young as 15 in Canada.
To be quite honest, its just pot calling the kettle black.
Nobody wants to take a clear look at themselves, but instead just wants to make others be the bad guys as if they are so pure and righteous.
Anyway, it seems in the US we dont even get married much anymore. Many claim it isnt a Christian nation either.
"The marriage rate in the US is currently 31.01, the lowest it's been in over a century Compare that to 1920, when the marriage rate was a staggering 92.3. Since 1970, the marriage rate has declined by almost 60 percent. " http://www.boston.com/lifes...9uHpOuS9J/story.html
To me its not that anyone is better or "more righteous" than anyone else.
[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 11-25-2013).]
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05:15 PM
Wichita Member
Posts: 20685 From: Wichita, Kansas Registered: Jun 2002
I haven't found a convincing explanation for the age of Hazrat Aisha when she was married to Mohammed. Some sources have it as young as 6. Many others, put it at 9. Some have claimed to piece together inferences from various texts to arrive at 18 or 19, and not actually gettin' it on with the big Mo' (PBUH) until she was 21.
Putting together what I have gleaned from my casual (but not infrequent) searches with Google, here's my take:
The Qur'an doesn't make any particular big deal about Aisha's actual age. It doesn't suggest that there was anything all that remarkable in the way that she was married to Mohammed. It all fit in with the customs that were common in that time and place, of polygamy, arranged marriages and underage brides (underage, by modern standards). These customs arose in that part of the world many centuries before the life of the Mohammed. You can find evidence for all of it in the Old Testament. So the idea of Mohammed as "the pedophile prophet" is--on its face--wholly ridiculous.
The story of this marriage, as recounted in the Qur'an, has been widely exploited to rationalize, justify, and even codify (by law) the unsavory and disgusting practice of arranged marriages for girls who are just into the first years of adolescence, and even younger. I consider this a perversion of Islam, or a degeneration of Islam into deviant sects that have persisted--and expanded their membership in certain countries--from 2000 and before, all the way to the present day. I don't consider this to be what I have described as "authentic Islam". I am unconvinced that child marriages have been reliably authenticated as one of Islam's "core beliefs".
It's not unreasonable to criticize authentic or mainstream Islam for not doing more to counteract these deviant practices and for not doing more to brand these transgressions of modern standards as un-Islamic.
There are countries today where these practices are still perpetuated in significant numbers by Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Animists and Buddhists (that's my estimation of it). So it's not just Muslims, although they are certainly right at the top of the list.
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06:55 PM
Neils88 Member
Posts: 4051 From: Jeddore,Nova Scotia Registered: Aug 2013
First of all...I just want to say I think the practice of underage marriage is disgusting....just so you know where I stand on the issue before I get accused of agreeing with it.
However, I just wanted to point out a basic fact. From a historical perspective, young marriages were much more common across the world as a result of significantly shorter life expectancies. It became common practice for early marriage and childbirth in nobility.
? 
