The CBE Scroll

Comment by Shawna

July 12, 2007 @ 3:50 pm

I was so happy when I read that they did this. I was also happy to see Egypt prosecuting a case in which a doctor performed female genital mutilation and the patient died. Good for Britain and Egypt! I hope other countries follow suit.

Comment by JLP

July 12, 2007 @ 8:56 pm

Thanks for posting this. I’m glad to hear the British are taking an active stance against it.

Comment by Liz

July 12, 2007 @ 10:38 pm

That’s extremely encouraging, as people from cultures which endorse this practice often enjoy the sanction of ‘free’ nations while still wanting to continue in their beliefs which counter the principles of their new place of residence.

Australia is currently grappling with these issues and how firm we should be in expecting ‘New Australians’ to embrace our own culture of freedom and democracy for all.

Comment by Lori

July 16, 2007 @ 7:29 am

Yes, unfortunately with all the tons of Muslim immigrants coming here to the UK are also coming some of their most extreme beliefs. Last year a courageous Muslim woman named Gina Khan spoke out and said that in major cities practices such as polygamy, arranged marriages, and wife beating are being widely practiced among her fellow Muslims.

In regards to female genital mutilation, it’s interesting. I had known about the issue for years thanks to authors like Alice Walker. However, last year I read a book called Cut Flowers (available from CBE’s bookstore) that deals with this issue from a Christian perspective. It seems that one of the major reasons why parents have this done to their daughters is so that they will grow up to be submissive wives. If they don’t have the operation, then it’s feared that the girl will be too sexually active, even after marriage, and that she will try to dominate her husband.

Comment by Mindy

July 16, 2007 @ 10:37 am

Lori (see comment 60526), thanks for mentioning that book. I read a review of it a few months ago and then heard it recommended by a professional who counsels victims of sexual abuse. Perhaps it is a book to purchase for our church libraries to encourage awareness.