On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 21:50:44 -0900, Sandra Chamberlain <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Scott: > > Trying to enforce the cutting off of a man's hand for theft > > becomes a > > problem when the rest of the world society perceives it to > > be brutal - for > > one instance.
> Gilberto: > But on what grounds is it brutal? > It's inhumane; lacking in compassion, sympathy, or > consideration for a fellow human being. It's a life sentence > without an appendage. It's an act of vengence, branding, and > humiliation rather than one of punishment equal to the crime. Gilberto: It's a life sentence without an apendage. Everything else you've mentioned is not intrinsic to the practice. And could actually be said about many other forms of punishment practiced in the West and elsewhere. But that's not even the main issue. The thing I'm having trouble seeing from your perspective is why God would have mandated the punishment to begin with? Even though I disagree with many of the things you mentioned in your list, not one of them would be any less true before 1844. On a couple of different issues, it seems like there is the same story. Where Bahais are critical of some Islamic practice. But the practice in question is actually based on the Quran, so Bahais sort of "have to" say it comes from God. But then explanation for why it would be ok then, and not ok now, is unconvincing. Peace Gilberto "My people are hydroponic" __________________________________________________ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com To unsubscribe, send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, use subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Web - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
