Here's a truly shocking piece of news from Indonesia. One of that country's provinces, Aceh, is in the advanced stages of introducing stoning to death as a punishment for adultery. According to Reuters, the law was passed unanimously by the local parliament on Monday and could be operative as early as next month.
Indonesia always used to have a reputation for practising one of the most moderate and pluralistic interpretations of Islam. That such savagery should be put into law there - for the first time in its history - speaks volumes about the state the religion has got itself into in many parts of the world.
Doubtless media-friendly imams will be on hand to tell us that such punishments do not represent the true spirit of Islam, and doubtless they are right. Unfortunately there are too many Muslims who seem to disagree, and some of them have got themselves into positions of power. [Heresy Corner] Read more
Aceh passes adultery stoning law Indonesia's province of Aceh has passed a new law making adultery punishable by stoning to death.... Opponents had tried to delay the law, saying more debate was needed because it imposes capital punishment. Sharia law was partially introduced in Aceh in 2001, as part of a government offer to pacify separatist rebels. [BBC] Read more
Adulters can be stoned, and gays jailed under new Islamic laws in Indonesia "We feel that it is time now for people to understand the real meaning of Sharia." These are the words of Indonesian politician Bustanul Arifin, of the Prosperous Justice Party, and secretary of a special committee responsible for imposing harsh new sharia laws on the devoutly Muslim province of Aceh. .... [a] married couple who commit adultery could be stoned to death. It also decrees that homosexuals be caned, and jailed for eight years. [The Freethinker] Read more
Indonesia always used to have a reputation for practising one of the most moderate and pluralistic interpretations of Islam. That such savagery should be put into law there - for the first time in its history - speaks volumes about the state the religion has got itself into in many parts of the world.
Doubtless media-friendly imams will be on hand to tell us that such punishments do not represent the true spirit of Islam, and doubtless they are right. Unfortunately there are too many Muslims who seem to disagree, and some of them have got themselves into positions of power. [Heresy Corner] Read more
Aceh passes adultery stoning law Indonesia's province of Aceh has passed a new law making adultery punishable by stoning to death.... Opponents had tried to delay the law, saying more debate was needed because it imposes capital punishment. Sharia law was partially introduced in Aceh in 2001, as part of a government offer to pacify separatist rebels. [BBC] Read more
Adulters can be stoned, and gays jailed under new Islamic laws in Indonesia "We feel that it is time now for people to understand the real meaning of Sharia." These are the words of Indonesian politician Bustanul Arifin, of the Prosperous Justice Party, and secretary of a special committee responsible for imposing harsh new sharia laws on the devoutly Muslim province of Aceh. .... [a] married couple who commit adultery could be stoned to death. It also decrees that homosexuals be caned, and jailed for eight years. [The Freethinker] Read more
