Today, I read a story about a boy in India who was married to a Dog to ward off evil spirits and bud luck. To many in the western world, this would seem to be a far cry from modern practices. I, like many others have never heard of such superstitious traditions. Many societies engage in practices that would seem to have no place in the modern world. Such individuals would be shunned and in some cases be discriminated against. This brings me to the issue of beliefs; why do many societies perform illicit acts in the name of beliefs.
What many fail to realise is that most individuals are born into beliefs which are then passed down from generation to generation. In most cases, individuals are brought up into believing that their own beliefs are right and that any others to be seen as false practices. How then can we discriminate individuals for doing what in their hearts seems to be the right choice? We live in a modern society where we need to accept individuals irrespective of race, religion, ethnic background and beliefs.
However, a line needs to be drawn. How do you explain marrying a child to a dog, isn’t this against her human rights. What if the parents of this child, for some crazy reason, engage the dog and the child in sexual intercourse? Do we still class this as acceptable? Do we sit back and let the child’s rights be violated in the name of belief. I strongly believe in the freedom of belief, however, when societies force individuals to take actions against their will, it then becomes an issues of ignorance and abuse and can no longer be classed as belief.
Friday 20 February 2009
Monday 16 February 2009
Babies having babies
This is a story that has dominated headlines in the last few days; the 13 year old boy who fathered a kid with a 15 year old girl. Why in God’s name are they having sex at such a young age for? Many news papers have been quick to blame the social services. What have the social services got to do with the upbringing of a teenager who has been brought up by both his parents? The girl’s parents were well aware that she was having underage sex within the confines of their home
Every individual should be held accountable for their own actions, however, in this case the parents should be held responsible for the inability to raise their kid in the right way. Why have moral standards in British families come to an all time low? Why is it teenage pregnancy more acceptable in the UK compared to other European countries? The family home is the foundation of society, and as such these morally unacceptable views are also held by many in society. Hence, the government, made up of individuals who might express such views, indirectly encourage teenage pregnancy by giving handouts and council flats to many teenage mums. Why do tax payers have to bear the brunt for the irresponsibility of others?
I can blame the government and the society; however, this issue must be tackled from the root. In this case, the root of the problem lies within the family. I pray that when I decide to have kids, I will be able to bring them up in the right way. Showing them, the difference between right and wrong, morally acceptable and unacceptable and hope that i can be a shining example to others.
Every individual should be held accountable for their own actions, however, in this case the parents should be held responsible for the inability to raise their kid in the right way. Why have moral standards in British families come to an all time low? Why is it teenage pregnancy more acceptable in the UK compared to other European countries? The family home is the foundation of society, and as such these morally unacceptable views are also held by many in society. Hence, the government, made up of individuals who might express such views, indirectly encourage teenage pregnancy by giving handouts and council flats to many teenage mums. Why do tax payers have to bear the brunt for the irresponsibility of others?
I can blame the government and the society; however, this issue must be tackled from the root. In this case, the root of the problem lies within the family. I pray that when I decide to have kids, I will be able to bring them up in the right way. Showing them, the difference between right and wrong, morally acceptable and unacceptable and hope that i can be a shining example to others.
Sunday 15 February 2009
Judging others
Yesterday was a fun night as i was out clubbing with my cousin in London. I ended up in a very exclusive central london club where i saw this very pretty girl. I am the sort of guy that tends to appreciate everything that looks good, so i was utterly disappointed when my cousin dropped a bombshell when he told me that this supposedly pretty girl was actually a man who had a sex change. My first thought was why would anyone want to have a sex change? Surely, in terms of religion, this act is wrong in the eyes of God. Besides that, sex change is taboo in modern societies and is seen to be morally unacceptable by many.
This would later provoke me to ask the question; " Who are we to judge others"? As humans, we always tend to criticize others regarding their looks, beliefs and behaviour amongst others. I believe, that as individuals, we are allowed to be who we want to be provided our actions don't negatively affect others. By having a sex change, that guy/girl (whatever the label should be) did what would make him feel better. As a kid, he probably never liked the body that he was born into and decided that he would be better suited to a female body.
Well. i guess the point i am trying to make here is: don't judge others until you have seen the whole picture. You and I have probably done something in the past that others didnt approve of. No amount of persuassion would have convinced us to do otherwise. Our actions, as with the sex change has probably made us a better person today.
This would later provoke me to ask the question; " Who are we to judge others"? As humans, we always tend to criticize others regarding their looks, beliefs and behaviour amongst others. I believe, that as individuals, we are allowed to be who we want to be provided our actions don't negatively affect others. By having a sex change, that guy/girl (whatever the label should be) did what would make him feel better. As a kid, he probably never liked the body that he was born into and decided that he would be better suited to a female body.
Well. i guess the point i am trying to make here is: don't judge others until you have seen the whole picture. You and I have probably done something in the past that others didnt approve of. No amount of persuassion would have convinced us to do otherwise. Our actions, as with the sex change has probably made us a better person today.
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