Quote Originally Posted by Northerner View Post
Not all opinions have equal weight!

A devout Muslim might be of the opinion that the female form should be covered at all times to protect the gaze of any men who pass her by. A devout Christian might be of the opinion that two men cannot engage in a sexual relationship. Indeed it was once popular opinion that people of a none white colour could be sold as slaves, but it soon gave way to a new overpowering opinion.

But as a society, we try to encourage personal freedom and choice. So long as those choices harm nobody else. Therefore, if a 22 year old woman chooses to marry a 52 year old man, it is her choice and must be adhered to.
An irrelevant diversion. And you choice for comparison is poor. Many Muslim women desire the freedom of choice that we enjoy in Western society. Most, Muslim societies do not take into account the feelings of the woman in such cases. In reality she would be told who she was to marry, and in some fundamentalist Islamic states would be sold into marriage.

Incidentally our troops are fighting in Afghanistan to support a regime that has recently passed into law that it is acceptable for male Shia's to deprive their wives of food if they refuse to have sex.

This forum appears to be based upon Western Christian values, and as such all opinions posted here have equal weight within this context.

It would be of no surprise to find that our opinions were unacceptable on a Hindu etc forum..

AJ