Three-Input Islam

Yes, it's way too early in the morning for this, but courtesy of To the People comes this news flash via The Guardian:

There is much disagreement on Islamic websites about anal sex between men and women. Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the highest-ranking Shia cleric in Iraq, says it is "strongly undesirable", but permissible if the wife agrees.

Comments TTP's Baylen Linnekin:

don't try telling me these Muslim clerics are simply having some conversation about issues Christians or Jews settled 500 years ago. Because I'm pretty damn sure it's not true. Which means Muslim religious scholars are having a relatively public and pretty open socio-cultural debate on a host of topics that a significant number of so-called Judeo-Christian leaders still consider taboo.

The link on "pretty damn sure" is a good read, especially if you're no fan of Notre Dame football (and really, who can be?).

The TTP entry is here. And the Guardian story, which discusses Islamic approaches to various sexual issues (including the vexed question of whether a couple should undress for coitus) and reads like a Middle Eastern Savage Love column, is here. Almost a year ago, Reason's own Jesse Walker noted Sistani's wide-ranging advice col here. And a very special message about God, kittens, and Onanism (one of the great inheritances of the Abrahamic religions) here.

Comments

[Allah-ha-ha]

I wouldn't touch this with a ten-foot ribbed condom.

[Warren]

Thumbs up for anal sex. heh
Does that go for pegging as well?

[Sandy]

Which means Muslim religious scholars are having a relatively public and pretty open socio-cultural debate on a host of topics that a significant number of so-called Judeo-Christian leaders still consider taboo.

Is it that, or is Islamism simply so totalitarian (in the sense of governing every aspect of life) that they must have these discussions, since every single thing you do is open to be governed by a fatwah? And is it more important that a fatwah be issued and observed than any particular sense of propriety or naughtiness be upheld?

[jkp]

It must be so refreshing to have someone answer every question for you in every part of your life. Really saves yourself the bother of thinking or making decisions.

[Mo]

Sandy,
Considering the fact that up until Lawrence, there were states in the US that regulated anal sex between a man and a woman. Also, I am quite sure there are accepted rules in other religions as well.

[Rich Ard]

"Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the highest-ranking Shia cleric in Iraq, says it is "strongly undesirable", but permissible if the wife agrees."

Well, at least he's not advocating hiding it from your wife.

[R C Dean]

I'm sure that in some circles, the notion that a Muslim should ask his wife's permission will be regarded as a dangerously liberal idea.

[thoreau]

You know, if Rick Santorum (heh heh, I said Santorum) finds out that the Ayatollah hedged on this question, his head will explode.

[mediageek]

This is just beyond funny.

[thoreau]

I'm sure that in some circles, the notion that a Muslim should ask his wife's permission will be regarded as a dangerously liberal idea.

Well, glad to see that Iraqi liberalization is proceeding!

Not the most direct route to a liberal society. More of a backdoor route, but still.

[Ed]

The Baby Ruth bar in my desk drawer is looking a whole lot less appealing now.

[R C Dean]

Post of the day to thoreau at 10:43.

[joshua corning]

Why would god use wierd square shaped stuffed toys when he could just run em over with a car?

[thoreau]

R C-

Thank you, but the day is still young, and Stevo has yet to weigh in.

[Sandy]

You know, Mo, they left that one out in confirmation class. But I'll pay for video of you taking Pat Robertson through a list of practices to get his fatwahs on them.

[Stevo Darklzzzzzz]

Post of the day to thoreau at 10:43.

Thank you, but the day is still young, and Stevo has yet to weigh in.

Thank you for the vote of confidence, but I had, like, a 20-hour day yesterday at work and have no wit today. Take it, thoreau.

[Yogi]

This comes from the "pretty damn sure" link.

From this specific definition, coupled with the definition of lust, it follows that if a married couple engages in oral sex and this act results in orgasm, then the act is immoral by its very nature.

So, its only a sin if you're good at giving oral sex and your partner orgasms? Looks like heaven's gonna be a sausagefest boys.

[Joshua]

Talk about bringing Brokeback Mountain to Mohammed.

(I'm amazed no one's already made this comment already.)

[Chris Bray]

When seminarians are semenarians.