Is this justice or religious non-sense?

[Cowtipper]

Iran's judiciary has postponed the blinding of a man as punishment for throwing acid in the face of a young woman in 2004, after she rejected his offer of marriage. The delay came in the face of mounting outcry both inside Iran and in the West over the sentencing, which is permissible under qesas, a principle of Islamic law allowing victims analogous retribution for violent crimes.


http://news.yahoo.com...l_time/08599207152900

[berniecuddles]

should be sent over here and recieve as many benefits a spossible dont ya think???

[sara3]

so what happens if someone is raped?

[Cowtipper]

I don't want to know Sara. She only had two choices. Forgive him or punish him.

[sara3]

is there no middle ground? I wouldn't forgive him, but I couldn't dish out the punishment either.

[Cowtipper]

It seems a fit punishment but it also is a bit sick. I know plenty of people that would vote for castration for sexual crimes.

[sara3]

hmmm.. but that may prevent re-offending.

[modeller]

We can all be pious but no one has yet said what fitting or appropriate punishment;
should be used.

[ChuckFickens]

To quote Gandhi (possibly)

"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind."

[Cowtipper]

I think that in this case it would be a deterrent to future attacks of this nature. I don't think the death penalty is much of a deterrent myself but this is much more visible. Sorry bout the pun. I like to think I'm a punny guy.

[rov1100]

The sentence has only been postponed. Maybe when an injustice in the world happens they will carry out the punishment.. Just like Labour's 'a good day to bury bad news' it could occur when we least expect it.

[Gromit]

Dunno, maybe you should asked the same of a system that kills its criminals (4,661 at the last count).

A mere blinding, he should count himself lucky he doesn't live in Texas.

[ll_billym]

It would be justice if he was blinded too as he deserves it but it is a bit barbaric, maybe just kill him instead.

[modeller]

I've read through the replies in the yahoo.com and they were all in favour of Iran's law and most agreed with the acid punishment, especially as this is not an isolated case and a deterrent is needed.

[Old_Geezer]

It makes the State no better than the criminal who performed the original act. Worst in fact because individuals can have all sorts of mental problems, the State deliberately sanctions punishments. Such behaviour shouts, "barbarism" to the world, and merely shows that some groups of humanity have not progressed as far as others.

[modeller]

You are right Old-Geezer but what do you mean by the // groups of humanity have not progressed as far as others. // Who are the Others ? Is this some elite superior to the general populous in knowledge and wisdom . I assume you include yourself as one of the Others.
The public in general want much tougher sentences especially for murder and brutal crimes but you imply they are the group who have not reached the level of the Others.

[beso]

He should be made to work and give every penny he makes to the woman he blinded.

[Old_Geezer]

"Others" would be those cultures that do not spout this sort of "eye for an eye" nonsense, or who, as a culture do not feel that killing or maiming of one of their own is ok because the criminal did it first, so it is ok for society to act at the same level.

The reference was not being applied to individuals since no large group is going to have everyone agreeing.

Sorry was that not self evident? I assumed it was. But there again I have been told in the past that I'm not always clear.

[WELSHYORKIE]

From what I read elsewhere, the woman said she did not want him to be blinded - should that be taken into account or indeed, would be allowed to be taken into account under these laws.