I think this story highlights the fact that there are certain religious practices that can only be saved through the application of cultural relativism: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7997749.stm
My question is this: why should we accord any less respect for the Taliban's strict application of Sharia law than the benign application of other religious laws (for example, Jewish insistence of kosher diets)? If the answer refers to the horrific results of applying certain beliefs, then are religions to be judged on the results of applying their beliefs? If so, how are the beliefs themselves relevant? Clearly, they aren't. All we need to consider is whether the application of those beliefs have harmful effects.
My question is this: why should we accord any less respect for the Taliban's strict application of Sharia law than the benign application of other religious laws (for example, Jewish insistence of kosher diets)? If the answer refers to the horrific results of applying certain beliefs, then are religions to be judged on the results of applying their beliefs? If so, how are the beliefs themselves relevant? Clearly, they aren't. All we need to consider is whether the application of those beliefs have harmful effects.
Just some food for thought.
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