Quote:
Originally Posted by Crumpy-Gunt
I think its a cultural thing. You cant say its Muslim if its most prevalent in non-Muslim African countries. You can say it is present in Muslim countries, sure - but there is actually no religious foundation within Islam for female genital mutilation. Just as there is no foundation for it in Christianity but we find it in a host of Christian nations in Africa. Awful pagan Afro-Asiatic culture - yes. Motivated by Islam - no.
That is just one of a host of misconceptions that isnt 'bridging the gap'
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Rates within Ethiopia for reference:
The prevalence also varies with religion in Ethiopia; FGM is prevalent in 92% of Muslim women, 72% of Protestants, 67% of Catholics and 67% of Traditional Religions.[50] FGM has been made illegal by the 2004 Penal Code.[82]
You'll notice that traditional religions and Catholics are the two lowest numbers. Still really high, but somewhat lower than Protestants, and much lower than Muslims.
This, for example, is what I mean when I say that i think it's influenced by Islamic Culture, not just Pagan ones. It likely originated as a pagan thing, no doubt, and I agree it's not commanded by Islam, but it seems there's something about Islam that makes the procedure more attractive to Muslims than it is to other groups. It's not that other's don't do it, it's just they do it less.