Beat your wife?
by way of Farrell Till jftill@midwest.net
Sat, 02 Jan 1999 00:06:04 -0800 (00915285964, 2.2.32.19990102080604.008acbf4@midwest.net)
GEISIK
<<snip>>
>>
>>I digress. Here is the point:
>>
>>During the sermon, the "pastor" was mentioning how Jesus saved us from the
>old law (debatable). He said that the OT claims it is OK to beat your wife
>with a stick AS LONG AS IT WAS NO LARGER IN DIAMETER THAN YOUR THUMB! OK,
>that is a new one on me. I tried to find the reference, but had no luck.
>Does anyone have any idea where this thumb thing came from? Or is it just
>another typical example of Christian lies and deception?
>
>
>CREA
> Are you sure the preacher was referring to the OT? There are laws (Lev.
>21:20, for example) governing the disciplining of slaves and "wise sayings"
>(Proverbs 13:24, 22:15, 23:13, etc.) concerning the chastisement of one's
>children -- but I am at a loss to find any references to permission being
>given to beat one's wife and definitely no specifications for the dimensions
>of the rod. On the other hand, in Islam it is permitted to beat one's wife
>if she is recalcitrant (Quran 4:34), and I have read comments (somewhere,
>memory fails me at the moment) to the effect that such beating was not
>inhumane since the Arabic word for the rod involved limited its size to the
>thickness of one's thumb or less. I suspect the preacher got his references
>crossed -- which isn't difficult since I've also heard TV televangelists
>claiming that the phrase "God helps those who help themselves" is in the
>Bible. Hope that this helps.
>
>
>With Mettaa,
>
>Joseph Crea
><Joseph.Crea@worldnet.att.net>
>
>
GEISIK
Yes, I am quite sure this is what he claimed (OT). Thanks for reinforcing
my thoughts that he was off base in claiming that the OT supported this.
Thanks for the reference to the Koran
Su 4:34 Section 6. Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because
Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they
support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly
obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them
guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct,
admonish them (first), (next), refuse to share their beds, (and last) beat
them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them means
(of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, Great (above you all)
My, my...this even makes Paul looks mild!
Carl Geisik