"Someone can agree to submit to sharia law".
Absolutely , spoken like a merciful sheik and benificent sultan.
When I see women going to Mass in the mantilla I feel like Trump does
and just grab whatever is on offer.

G'day Joe.

Contrast the media shrilling on Islamic FGM/ laws to this little gem from 2013...

"In the Northern Territory the judiciary has recently provided formal acknowledgement of the crucial role of Aboriginal interpreters, but the increasing presence and acceptance in Northern Territory courtrooms of traditional Aboriginal languages should not be mistaken for an increasing presence or acceptance of traditional Aboriginal law in Northern Territory courts. Indeed, it is arguable that legal interpreters will increasingly be required not just to work as bridge builders to span the gulf of misunderstanding between yapa and kardiya. They may also be required to take on a less appealing gate-keeping task, to do the dirty work of holding up the sign which in effect says to yapa, “Check Your Law at the Door: White Laws Only Allowed Within”.

See: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/AUIndigLawRw/2013/6.pdf

Amongst several central desert tribes, the Walpiri I believe, the practice of incising/splitting a young mans penis is involved in initiation rites...correct please me if I'm wrong here Joe. I seem to recall a white man who was initiated into the tribe in the 1990's and later sentenced under Yapa and Kartiya law. This involved being speared in the leg, which almost resulted in his death.

For the Muslims to sustain their arguments - for doing what their religion dictates, then we should equitably consider that in this country customary law (i.e. another set of laws running in parallel with the law of the land) exists. It sets a precedent.

Hi Albie,

No, I don't support ANY cultural concessions over law, none whatever. I don't believe that young boys should be subjected to idiotic and barbaric practices, and certainly not against their will (which is usually the next step in the slippery slope). I certainly don't support child betrothal and marriage, or rape in 'marriage', as was tried on fifteen-odd years ago.

We are all different, no two of us are identical, BUT as Australians, we all have the same rights, equal rights, and the same obligations. In that sense, we are all the same. I'll let identity politicians tease out that one. Joan Wallach Scott (1996) thoroughly explains it all, especially to feminists. Yes, Eli Wallach's niece. Small world.

It's amazing how, even in very indirect ways, 'culture', cultural practices, seem to focus on, in some way, often incredibly ingenious sways, devaluing or cramping women, particularly unmarried, young women. I suppose even sub-incision could be interpreted as something that not only can't do, but, in its ceremonial function, as a substitution for pregnancy, i.e. as if to say, 'Anything women think they can do, we can do better, and women are nothing but the vessels for our sacredness.' A touch of a priesthood there, something else out of reach of women.

Maybe, in a sense, modern societies don't have 'culture', they have common rules of equality and fairness ?

If I were a woman, any time I heard someone talk about 'culture', I would be reaching for my placard.

Joe

Dear nicknamenick,

So you want to do a Trump and "grab whatever
is on offer?"

Before you do that - have you noticed how
Trump is rather robotic in his arm movements?

Perhaps he grabbed once too often?

Best rethink your urges - you could come to regret it.

Dearest Foxy,

On Nick's comment, that ' .... I feel like Trump does and just grab whatever is on offer.....', it's interesting that that attitude could be the basis for the Islamist view of women too, not just Trump's view - that women are all temptresses, and have to be covered up, otherwise men will be incited by lust at what they are 'offering'. To misogynists like Trump and Islamists, women are really all gagging for it, so (a) in Trump's view, have to be fvjudscifked; and (b) in the view of Islamists, have to be tightly controlled and confined if necessary, married off early, but always under a man's control.

Both attitudes devalue the right of women to be whatever they like, do and behave however they damn-well like. Both attitudes assume that men are the centre of the world, especially for women, who can't control themselves, therefore have to be shown how by men, one way or another. Trump or Shari'a: pretty shirt-house choices.

Meile,

Joe

Dear Joe,

Thank You for that.

However I am a bit concerned about where my mind's at.
I originally went and saw "Fifty Shades of Grey,"
and was intrigued by the mind games in the movie.
Then recently I went and saw, "Fifty Shades Darker,"
and simply loved the movie. I can't wait to see
what happens next and how Christian Grey's behaviour
will be explained. These films are supposed to be
"soft porn," yet I didn't look at them that way.
So what does that say about me?