oh so political

The lighting is awful, but here is a vblog for your viewing enjoyment.

On poverty

I was speaking with a friend last week about the gospel, poverty, and activism. One of the things he said was “The best way to fight poverty is to make the poor uncomfortable in their own poverty.” I am trying to remember that what I think of when I think of poverty is not always what other people think. I assume he was thinking of the poor as those who take advantage of government programs and people’s hospitality, not an Iraqi family living in the midst of a war (a new report just came out saying that one in four Iraqis live under the poverty level). Regardless, I think this statement is telling of many people today, and I have a few responses.

1. I highly doubt that those who are truly living in poverty find it comfortable.

2. We are so distanced from the poor that we blame them for their circumstance instead of reflecting on our own greed and critiquing those systems of government and religion that systematize oppression.

3. We have believed a lie and ignored the gospel’s call.

What are your thoughts. I have many more, but it would end up being a rant.

New Afghan Law legalizes marital rape?

The Associated Press released a report today that Afghan officials (some say without a discussion by Parliament) that would effectively legislates a couples sexual activity in the home.  The following is from the article:

“As long as the husband is not traveling, he has the right to have sexual intercourse with his wife every fourth night,” Article 132 of the law says. “Unless the wife is ill or has any kind of illness that intercourse could aggravate, the wife is bound to give a positive response to the sexual desires of her husband.”

One provision also appears to protect the woman’s right to sex inside marriage saying the “man should not avoid having sexual relations with his wife longer than once every four months.”

Many critics are saying this is a step back for women’s rights in Afghanistan (a critique with which I agree).  What do you think?  What’s the best way for our current administration to encourage and work alongside Afghan officials to promote civil rights?  What are a person’s “rights” in a marital relationship?  Is it appropriate for this law to be in place, making it possible for men to take legal action against their wives if they are not “obedient”?  What should be the church’s response?  

 

Here’s the link:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090402/ap_on_re_as/as_afghan_women