the things we do to women.
Yet another shining example of how religion can be dangerous:
Saudis Outraged Over Women-Drive Proposal
By DONNA ABU-NASR, Associated Press Writer
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - He just wanted his colleagues in the government's legislative arm to discuss the possibility of conducting a study into the feasibility of reversing the ban on women drivers — the only prohibition of its kind in the world.
But Consultative Council member Mohammad al-Zulfa's proposal has unleashed a storm in this conservative country where the subject of women drivers remains taboo.
Yes, this is the 21st Century.
Al-Zulfa's cell phone now constantly rings with furious Saudis accusing him of encouraging women to commit the double sins of discarding their veils and mixing with men. He gets phone text messages calling on Allah to freeze his blood. Chat rooms bristle with insulting accusations that al-Zulfa is "driven by carnal instincts with 454 horsepower." Read more.
By no means would I suggest that every person who attends Sunday service is a maniacal zealot. Your faith is your business and it is, many times, a good thing. The church to which a woman I know belongs is using donations in her recently passed father's name toward a scholarship for a parishioner.
Church provides community for many.
But there also is an ugly side. Religious fervor -- especially when it controls a governing body -- fosters oppression and intolerance.
This is precisely why my hackles get raised at the notion of booting members of a church over their last presidential votes.
This is precisely why I bristle at the notion of Indiana's house speaker calling it a "right" to pray to Jesus every morning on the senate floor.
This is also precisely why I vehemently oppose the likes of Judge Roy Moore and his two-ton monument to the Ten Commandments he so insists belong in his courthouse.
Religion can provide guidance and strength if regarded as a personal relationship with God. When it becomes a basis for governmental policy, all citizens are at risk for oppression.
It's ironic, really, that the president so insists on overly simplistically (and patronizingly) saying "they hate us for our freedom" about Al Qaeda, yet we call the Saudis our allies.
How many Saudis flew planes into buildings on 9/11?
Yeah, tell me again religion can't possibly be dangerous.
Saudis Outraged Over Women-Drive Proposal
By DONNA ABU-NASR, Associated Press Writer
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - He just wanted his colleagues in the government's legislative arm to discuss the possibility of conducting a study into the feasibility of reversing the ban on women drivers — the only prohibition of its kind in the world.
But Consultative Council member Mohammad al-Zulfa's proposal has unleashed a storm in this conservative country where the subject of women drivers remains taboo.
Yes, this is the 21st Century.
Al-Zulfa's cell phone now constantly rings with furious Saudis accusing him of encouraging women to commit the double sins of discarding their veils and mixing with men. He gets phone text messages calling on Allah to freeze his blood. Chat rooms bristle with insulting accusations that al-Zulfa is "driven by carnal instincts with 454 horsepower." Read more.
By no means would I suggest that every person who attends Sunday service is a maniacal zealot. Your faith is your business and it is, many times, a good thing. The church to which a woman I know belongs is using donations in her recently passed father's name toward a scholarship for a parishioner.
Church provides community for many.
But there also is an ugly side. Religious fervor -- especially when it controls a governing body -- fosters oppression and intolerance.
This is precisely why my hackles get raised at the notion of booting members of a church over their last presidential votes.
This is precisely why I bristle at the notion of Indiana's house speaker calling it a "right" to pray to Jesus every morning on the senate floor.
This is also precisely why I vehemently oppose the likes of Judge Roy Moore and his two-ton monument to the Ten Commandments he so insists belong in his courthouse.
Religion can provide guidance and strength if regarded as a personal relationship with God. When it becomes a basis for governmental policy, all citizens are at risk for oppression.
It's ironic, really, that the president so insists on overly simplistically (and patronizingly) saying "they hate us for our freedom" about Al Qaeda, yet we call the Saudis our allies.
How many Saudis flew planes into buildings on 9/11?
Yeah, tell me again religion can't possibly be dangerous.
