There has been a lot of debate on the issue of biblical honor killing. There are those who will strongly contend that it is in the Bible and that it is even encouraged while there are those who will hold strong views to the contrary. There are several instances in the bible where this severe form of punishment is prescribed. While this may no longer be practiced, it nevertheless quashes the argument that the practice originates and is confined to Islam. This is in contrast to the fact that there is no text in the Quran that advocates for the same.
One of those instances is found in Leviticus chapter 21 verses 9. It prescribes the punishment of death by fire for the daughter of a servant of God who becomes a prostitute. This is because that act disgraces her father. This is an apt example of the Bible advocating for the practice to safeguard the reputation of the servant of God.
Other instances where the same harsh death penalty is imposed are found in Leviticus chapter 20 verses 9. Here, the death penalty is imposed on those who show disrespect by insulting their fathers and mothers. The same view is repeated in Exodus chapter 21verses17.
These passages clearly show that the Bible has called for the death penalty for those who bring dishonor to their families for various reasons. It would therefore be misinformed for anyone to claim that Christianity does not condone such acts. As the foremost book of guidance for the Christians, the Bible clearly mentions and explains when such punishments may be administered.
Whenever what is perceived to be a fatal punishment meted against a person to protect the name of their family is reported, there is always a flare up of this argument. The reason for the misconception stems from the fact that predominantly Islam countries such a Jordan, Iraq, Turkey, Palestine and Pakistan are where the reports mostly emanate from. This does not prove anything as there are other countries such as Indonesia where there is a large Islamic population but there are no such incidents that are reported.
Tempers always flare when the incidents are reported and those who consider themselves to be Christians accuse those of the Islamic faith of being in a barbaric religion. This is despite the fact that such similar punishments have been reported to happen in predominantly Christian states such as Brazil and Italy. It has also been reported to happen in other states that have other religions such India where there are Hindus and Sikhs.
There are, however, more tribal connotations to these practices than the Islamic religion itself. This can be seen in the fact that these punishments only happen in selected areas. The followers of Islam are some of the strictest adherents of religion. If this was strictly an Islamic practice, the killings would be more widespread in all regions that practice the religion.
The culture of a people has a heavy bearing on the religion. It is therefore possible that the culture at the time the laws of the Bible were being written held such beliefs concerning the putting to death of people. People therefore need to accept that there are instances of biblical honor killing before rushing to judge.
One of those instances is found in Leviticus chapter 21 verses 9. It prescribes the punishment of death by fire for the daughter of a servant of God who becomes a prostitute. This is because that act disgraces her father. This is an apt example of the Bible advocating for the practice to safeguard the reputation of the servant of God.
Other instances where the same harsh death penalty is imposed are found in Leviticus chapter 20 verses 9. Here, the death penalty is imposed on those who show disrespect by insulting their fathers and mothers. The same view is repeated in Exodus chapter 21verses17.
These passages clearly show that the Bible has called for the death penalty for those who bring dishonor to their families for various reasons. It would therefore be misinformed for anyone to claim that Christianity does not condone such acts. As the foremost book of guidance for the Christians, the Bible clearly mentions and explains when such punishments may be administered.
Whenever what is perceived to be a fatal punishment meted against a person to protect the name of their family is reported, there is always a flare up of this argument. The reason for the misconception stems from the fact that predominantly Islam countries such a Jordan, Iraq, Turkey, Palestine and Pakistan are where the reports mostly emanate from. This does not prove anything as there are other countries such as Indonesia where there is a large Islamic population but there are no such incidents that are reported.
Tempers always flare when the incidents are reported and those who consider themselves to be Christians accuse those of the Islamic faith of being in a barbaric religion. This is despite the fact that such similar punishments have been reported to happen in predominantly Christian states such as Brazil and Italy. It has also been reported to happen in other states that have other religions such India where there are Hindus and Sikhs.
There are, however, more tribal connotations to these practices than the Islamic religion itself. This can be seen in the fact that these punishments only happen in selected areas. The followers of Islam are some of the strictest adherents of religion. If this was strictly an Islamic practice, the killings would be more widespread in all regions that practice the religion.
The culture of a people has a heavy bearing on the religion. It is therefore possible that the culture at the time the laws of the Bible were being written held such beliefs concerning the putting to death of people. People therefore need to accept that there are instances of biblical honor killing before rushing to judge.
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