“In a more culturally confident age, the British in India were faced with the practice of “suttee” – the tradition of burning widows on the funeral pyres of their husbands. Gen. Sir Charles Napier was impeccably multicultural:
“You say that it is your custom to burn widows. Very well. We also have a custom: When men burn a woman alive, we tie a rope around their necks, and we hang them. Build your funeral pyre; beside it, my carpenters will build a gallows. You may follow your custom. And then we will follow ours.”
This makes sense to me. It ties in well with stories about converts who face death sentences, riots based on cartoons or murders of people because of their ethnicity/religion. The time is coming when we are going to have to make a decision whether to push or be pushed.
Yosef,
Sometimes it makes a lot of sense to follow the precepts of “when in Rome…” and sometimes it doesn’t.
Ben-David,
There are inherent risks for us, but they preexisted this situation. I think that the greater issue is not drawing a line in the sand and making sure that we make it clear that there are some actions that are intolerable.
… and this is the same “cultural confidence” that has led the Scandinavian countries to outlaw kosher slaughter, and to require an official letter before boys are circumcised, confirming that it’s a religious obligation – otherwise it’s child abuse…
Should Jews be wishing for a more “culturally confident” Christendom?
When in rome…
Amishav,
I hope that it helps.
Fitena,
I’ll take a look.
You’re right! This is becoming asurd really! Check out suley’s link on my blog, he mentions the afghan’s case. It fortunately ends well, but how many are ending in blood?
Fitèna
This quote is just simply freaking brilliant! I’m going to have to use it next year in my classes. Somewhere, somehow, I’ll fit it in. Thanks!