i must say i tend to agree with some of the aspects of islam that molly has raised. some muslims do engage in the harsher interpretations of the koran and as such, their practices are fairly disgusting. women being stoned to death for adultery, being forced to wear the burkha (although others choose to); punishment of criminals like cutting off hands and public hangings. those parts remind me of medieval practices of our own society, except we seem to have realised that these things are no longer acceptable and engage in more humane treatment of criminals/adulterers etc. in a modern worldwide society, you do have to wonder what kind of role this behaviour has within international relations and progression. mollykins is certainly right in saying that women get a raw deal compared to men within this religion/culture and that certainly makes me very uncomfortable coming from a society where we ladies have fought for equal rights over a long period of time. men are also donig so as well; i.e. paternity pay/time off etc. actions in nations such as china, afghanistan, stria, iraq, iran etc. worry me and sometimes disgust me when you hear of the barbaric practices you hear of. as a psych nurse, i have also come across patients who have claimed asylum due to their mental health problems as they would be castigated, made an outcast or even physically punished within their own society for being bonkers. how can that kind of behaviour be right? i even think the catholic church should hold their heads in shame given the current scandals they are embroiled in and how priests can preach what they do and carry on as if nothing has happened turns my stomach...