Honor Killings

[Swamptribe]

Was just watching a morning news story on an honor killing that took place right here in the US. How in the world, can the fundie Christians such as the Duggars not see the parallels between their attitudes towards women (being under fathers cover/headship, husband as king/commander) and the same attitude that leads towards such things as honor killings. Are they naive, or in denial?

Honestly, I see the whole patriarchal movement as horribly dehumanizing to women, and even children (at least the male children until they become adults). It is, quite simply, a way to take away part of their humanity, to make them less of a person.

In such cases, the honor and power of the patriarch becomes more important than anything else. What makes it worse, is they have the nerve to hide their behavior behind the claim that 'this is what god wants'. The idea that the adult male is somehow divinely appointed and everyone else does not have the right to question the headship/will of god.

[debrand]

When I've pointed out similarities, the explanation that I've gotten is that a "Real" Christian would never take his religion to its obvious conclusion. Explaining away bad actions of their fellow Christians blinds them to the possible danger of being a Christian extremist.

[bananacat]

If QF and Patriarchy were more widespread, I do think honor killings would happen. I could certainly see a family like the Kellers doing it to a rebellious daughter, but only if they had society's support. They wouldn't do it now because they're not mainstream enough, but I could see it happen if they knew that a segment of the country would support their actions. I'm not accusing the Kellers specifically, but I could see it in a family like them. I wouldn't put it past Steve Maxwell or Daddy Botkin either, except I don't think any of their daughters will successfully escape in the first place.

[shesinsane]

Was just watching a morning news story on an honor killing that took place right here in the US. How in the world, can the fundie Christians such as the Duggars not see the parallels between their attitudes towards women (being under fathers cover/headship, husband as king/commander) and the same attitude that leads towards such things as honor killings. Are they naive, or in denial?

Honestly, I see the whole patriarchal movement as horribly dehumanizing to women, and even children (at least the male children until they become adults). It is, quite simply, a way to take away part of their humanity, to make them less of a person.

In such cases, the honor and power of the patriarch becomes more important than anything else. What makes it worse, is they have the nerve to hide their behavior behind the claim that 'this is what god wants'. The idea that the adult male is somehow divinely appointed and everyone else does not have the right to question the headship/will of god.

Denial all the way. Muslims (which Swamptribe didn't mention but honor killings tend to have the religion in common) look different, speak a different language, and pray to a different God. Fundies can't get past all that to see the many similarities within their cultures.

I think the fundies have found that kicking the wayward child out of the house and badmouthing them to the family left behind (like Razing Ruth's father has done with her siblings still at home) can be very effective in restoring honor within their community. Blood is messy, much easier to banish the troublemaker and use them as a cautionary tale to scare the little ones.