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Dear Khalid,
The foundation of my ethics and morals is the general good of society.
Western societies are avowedly secular, and bigamy, polygamy and the like
are all prohibited under the law. This has nothing to do with religiosity or
scripture. Scripture on the other hand condones and sometimes encourages
multiple relationships so I do not derive my personal ethics from scripture
on this issue.
A for the Qur'ans sanction of Polygamy, I have
written a detailed article with a converse viewpoint, which was published a
few months ago in "Naseeb Vibes". Check
www.islamtoday.ca or
ISLAM & POLYGAMY
I do not have a "bias" in favour of the Qur'an. I was only quoting what was
actually contained in the Torah and the Qur'an on the issue of
homosexuality. The Bible is a source of moral rectitude and wisdom, just as
the Qur'an is, but would one not give preference to a newer version or
edition of a book, or in this case God's Word, as I believe it to be.
You say that scripture in general is punitive and judgmental but don't you
think we need some laws to regulate our behavior as social animals? If
there were no moral guidelines accompanied by clear statements of
consequences in violation of those guidelines, there would be complete
anarchy in the world. Human societies would be governed by the laws of the
jungle. What separates us from the animals is our intellect and the ability
to distinguish right from wrong. Also, aren't those who claim to be
intellectuals and academics, also highly moral people since it is the same
part of the brain that governs intellect and morality?
You say that sex is a private matter between two or a multiple number of
consenting adults. Is it still a private matter when the consenting adults
are married people cheating on their spouses? Would this not be a violation
of the rights of others and therefore a public matter? Also, if the
incidence of such adulterous relationships increases in society, would it
not impact several people, i. e spouses, children etc in a negative way?
I know it is often not possible to love a person romantically till kingdom
come, but there are other aspects of conjugal life that can bind people to
each other for a lifetime. You share your home, your children, your
memories, your heartbreaks your hopes, your aspirations and the affection
and intimacy that develops from all of the above, is a thing worth
preserving. In Islam marriage is still a contract, not a sacrament, and
therefore there is freedom and flexibility if one cannot possibly find
happiness in a
relationship.
Hope I have been able to clear the air. As i said earlier, I do not find
common law relationships reprehensible, provided they come with commitment,
rights, responsibilities, mutual trust and understanding. No religious
person, to my knowledge would ever accept this line of reasoning.
Take care and this time my apologies if I offended you in any way.
Regards,
Farzana |