Reply #59: Fair enough. [View All]

[wickerwoman]

I just think for society to progress we need to get over our lack of comfort with criticizing or mocking sexism, racism, homophobia and bigotry when it is wrapped up in religion.

To me, referring to your children as "this daughter" and "daughter six" without irony shows at least contempt. It's certainly not the worst, but it shouldn't really be defensible in modern society either.

Likewise, the whole "courtship" mom-and-dad (mostly dad) will find a Godly *man* for you and you *will* marry him should be wide-open for criticism.

Why shouldn't their daughters marry whomever they wish, regardless of that person's religion? Isn't it a universal human right to find your own spouse and not to have suitors solicited for you?

I totally respect where you're coming from and to some extent agree that they aren't really harming other people (besides their daughters). But I also think that it's essential that people recognize that "tradition" or "faith" should not be used to exempt certain behaviors which violate standards of human rights and respect that we would otherwise uphold.