The harm of religion, Turkish style

[True Dough]

Last edited Thu Jan 4, 2018, 10:31 PM - Edit history (1)

This news item doesn't single out Christianity, which has been a source of annoyance to some of the Christian folk here.

Is this one topic we can all agree on? This is horse shit and nothing more, correct?

Turkey's highest religious body suggests children as young as nine could marry under Islamic law

'The Turkish Civil Code clearly states that adulthood begins at the age of 18. Early marriages violate children's rights, women's rights, human rights'

A government body in Turkey has suggested that girls as young as nine and boys as young as 12 could marry under Islamic law, prompting the country's main opposition party to call for an investigation into child marriages.

An online glossary of Islamic terms was posted by Turkey's Directorate of Religious Affairs – or Diyanet – which is responsible for administering religious institutions and education. The website said that, according to Islamic law, whoever had reached the age of adolescence had the right to marry.

Elsewhere, the beginning of adolescence was defined as nine and 12 for girls and boys respectively.

Although the glossary has since been removed, 30 MPs from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) have called upon the government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into child marriages. The legal age of marriage in Turkey is 18, or 17 with parental consent. In exceptional circumstances people can marry at 16, subject to court approval.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/turkey-children-marry-age-nine-islamic-law-diyanet-government-chp-mp-investigation-muslim-a8142131.html

[Cartoonist]

1. Ancient thinking

Still going on. It's so hard to fight this shit because they claim "religion"

[True Dough]

2. We're in the 21st century

We don't have to take a Donald Trump approach to the issue -- dictate a new course of action or else (the fact Trump is in office is evidence to everyone else around the world that the U.S. itself is going backwards). But there is vocal opposition to this child abuse issue within Turkey from women's right and human rights groups. We should support those people who are taking a stand against this crap.

[guillaumeb]

3. I read that Roy Moore is thinking of becoming a Turkish citizen.

But, interestingly enough, not his wife. She is much older than 9.

[True Dough]

4. I can make an allowance for absurd humor here

particularly when it targets a despicable ReThug. What I couldn't swallow is anyone attempting to justify this reprehensible practice under the guise of religion (and nobody has yet taken a stab at that on this forum).

As if any god would approve of a nine year old being marriage material -- and we all know marriage means sexual abuse of a minor comes next. That cannot be condoned in any way, shape or form.

[trotsky]

5. Yeah this is a tricky topic for the religious who scold atheists.

We mustn't criticize religious beliefs, but they agree that 9-year-old children marrying is inappropriate, but it's part of religion, so it mustn't be criticized... bzzzt... here's a joke about Roy Moore instead.

[Mariana]

6. It's too bad none of the relevant religious texts

have God saying explicitly that sexual relations with a child is prohibited.

I don't think anyone on this forum would attempt to defend it. We all know it's wrong, even if God doesn't have a problem with it.