Domestic Violence More About Culture Than Religion

Some religions have given women, particularly, a second class status and have allowed husbands to beat their wives.

Most religions have argued, in recent years, that this is largely cultural rather than religious -- though some faiths have made little effort to publicize their opposition to it widely. But, in truth, domestic violence has little to do with religions and far more to do with culture and the degree to which violence is acceptable either in the home or in wider society. The great thing about modern western society is that women, and children, have begun to be able to speak up about violence, physical, sexual and emotional, against them.

We are already seeing older people of both genders speaking up about violence against them. The first thing you have to do is strip off the secrecy, but in my view religious authorities have little to do with domestic violence, other than in their lack of action to condemn it and to support those who are its victims. And that lack, and blindness, as to sexual exploitation of children by priests, is something to be ashamed of, and to be condemned.

Most religions have argued, in recent years, that this is largely cultural rather than religious- though some faiths have made little effort to publicise their opposition to it widely. But, in truth, domestic violence has little to do with religions and far more to do with culture and the degree to which violence is acceptable either in the home or in wider society. The great thing about modern western society is that women, and children, have begun to be able to speak up about violence, physical, sexual and emotional, against them.
We are already seeing older people of both genders speaking up about violence against them. The first thing you have to do is strip off the secrecy, but in my view religious authorities have little to do with domestic violence, other than in their lack of action to condemn it and to support those who are its victims. And that lack, and blindness, as to sexual exploitation of children by priests, is something to be ashamed of, and to be condemned.

By Julia Neuberger  |  March 3, 2009; 10:41 AM ET Save & Share:                 
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Posted by: Lauren Keane | March 17, 2009 1:26 PM
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