Some people look for biblical honor killing as a means to corroborate their assumptions that the practice is also a Christian one as well as an Islamic one. However, how far this is true is a matter of intense debate.
These killings are defined as the act of vengeful homicide against a person who has been deemed to have brought dishonour and shame either to the family or the society at large. The vast majority of victims of this practice are young women. They are seen to have flouted societal customs in matters of marriage, love and sex. Homosexual men are also targeted in this way as well.
Generally the perceived criminal behaviour is due to one type of disobedience or another. Simple dating or male, female friendships can be viewed as premarital sex, whoring or adultery. Even mode of dress can attract abusive attack. Participation in political causes such as feminism or gay issues can be very dangerous behaviour in some cultural contexts.
There are all sorts of ways in which the people are killed. In modern times as reported in countless news stories, death by shooting, stabbing and arson are all familiar occurrences. Public executions were commonplace in the past. These were often gatherings where the victim would be stoned to death by the community. Sadly, this practice has persisted into the present. Death by fire was a historical method too, in which the victim was burned at an alter or on a stake. These scenes are often indicated in the Bible.
Surely, if you look at some Old Testament bible texts such as Exodus, Leviticus or Judges, you will find references to burnt offerings and death by fire that are seemingly justified acts where women have behaved in a morally unacceptable way. Indeed human sacrifice is mentioned several places in the Old Testament. However, it does not mean that these things are Christian. Indeed, Christians believe that the last accepted human sacrifice was the death of Jesus on the cross. The whole purpose of his death was to atone for the sins of everyone with his life. As such any other human sacrifice is nullified and illegal for most Christians.
Now, in contradiction to what many people believe, this type of practice is not condoned by Islam either. Yes, it is true the religion has very stringent laws about what is acceptable and inacceptable behaviour. However, it also has a legal system which it expects everyone to observe. It is never allowed for an individual to take the law into his own hands and execute someone else in the name of honour. All cases are supposed to be tried before a judge and sentence meted out lawfully. Without due diligence, the person has committed basic murder.
Now, it is the opinion of this writer that murder is a global phenomenon and victimising women with death and brutality knows almost no boundary. These murders are committed by men of limited rationale and mental compromise. The difference is the cultural references used to make these acts. In the west, it is not unusual for women to be found raped and murdered and their bodies disposed of in a forest somewhere. In Africa, ritual murders take place and body parts removed. In the Middle East and Asia young women are killed for behaviour that is seen as normal everywhere else.
It is true that biblical honor killing exists in the bible but that is not to say that it is condoned by Christianity. Indeed it is vehemently condemned as it is in Islam too. This practice is nothing more that sadistic murder with a specific cultural overtone.
These killings are defined as the act of vengeful homicide against a person who has been deemed to have brought dishonour and shame either to the family or the society at large. The vast majority of victims of this practice are young women. They are seen to have flouted societal customs in matters of marriage, love and sex. Homosexual men are also targeted in this way as well.
Generally the perceived criminal behaviour is due to one type of disobedience or another. Simple dating or male, female friendships can be viewed as premarital sex, whoring or adultery. Even mode of dress can attract abusive attack. Participation in political causes such as feminism or gay issues can be very dangerous behaviour in some cultural contexts.
There are all sorts of ways in which the people are killed. In modern times as reported in countless news stories, death by shooting, stabbing and arson are all familiar occurrences. Public executions were commonplace in the past. These were often gatherings where the victim would be stoned to death by the community. Sadly, this practice has persisted into the present. Death by fire was a historical method too, in which the victim was burned at an alter or on a stake. These scenes are often indicated in the Bible.
Surely, if you look at some Old Testament bible texts such as Exodus, Leviticus or Judges, you will find references to burnt offerings and death by fire that are seemingly justified acts where women have behaved in a morally unacceptable way. Indeed human sacrifice is mentioned several places in the Old Testament. However, it does not mean that these things are Christian. Indeed, Christians believe that the last accepted human sacrifice was the death of Jesus on the cross. The whole purpose of his death was to atone for the sins of everyone with his life. As such any other human sacrifice is nullified and illegal for most Christians.
Now, in contradiction to what many people believe, this type of practice is not condoned by Islam either. Yes, it is true the religion has very stringent laws about what is acceptable and inacceptable behaviour. However, it also has a legal system which it expects everyone to observe. It is never allowed for an individual to take the law into his own hands and execute someone else in the name of honour. All cases are supposed to be tried before a judge and sentence meted out lawfully. Without due diligence, the person has committed basic murder.
Now, it is the opinion of this writer that murder is a global phenomenon and victimising women with death and brutality knows almost no boundary. These murders are committed by men of limited rationale and mental compromise. The difference is the cultural references used to make these acts. In the west, it is not unusual for women to be found raped and murdered and their bodies disposed of in a forest somewhere. In Africa, ritual murders take place and body parts removed. In the Middle East and Asia young women are killed for behaviour that is seen as normal everywhere else.
It is true that biblical honor killing exists in the bible but that is not to say that it is condoned by Christianity. Indeed it is vehemently condemned as it is in Islam too. This practice is nothing more that sadistic murder with a specific cultural overtone.
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