Stoned, and not in a good way.

Today's post, not so pleasant.

Every country, culture and religion have their own customs, traditions, laws and punishments that are as old as time. Some are interesting, some strange and some are barbaric.

I read the newspaper everyday plus online as well. In today's paper there was story about story Iran. Seems that 8 women and 1 man have been sentenced to death by stoning. I realize in our country (United States for my worldly visitors) some of the states have the death penalty. I really don't know if I'm for it or against it. That's a topic for another day.

But back to Iran. I was appalled at this. The article went on to say that the criminals are buried standing in a hole , then people throw stones at them until they are dead. Their crime? Adultery. I had to learn more about this practice that seems so unbelievable. A truck load of stones and rocks are brought in. The victim's hands are tied behind their back, they're placed in a white shroud and are buried. Men up to their chest, women up to their neck. People form a circle around them and begin to throw the stones. They are palm sized stones and the idea is to not kill them immediately but torture them and make them suffer. Who are these people that do this? Can anyone join in? What does this say about their humanity? What fellow human being would want to participate? Turns out sometimes the husband can. Sometimes the husband and children are forced to watch. If you somehow manage to escape and get out of the circle you are set free. Unless you're a woman. Then they drag you back to start again or if you're lucky, they shoot you. It seems like there is little chance to escape but notice that the men have more of a chance if they can get their arms free. The brutality is astounding.

Stoning is a barbaric punishment and this atrocious tradition takes place in some countries in Africa, the mutilation of young girl's and woman genitals. Please click the links to educate yourself on this horrible topic.

I have been a victim of sexual harassment in my time with both words and unwanted touching. It's not a good feeling but this pales in comparison to how women in these countries are treated. At the tender age of 18 in 1976 I went to work full time at our gas and electric utility company. Let's say that women were definitely the minority there. I still remember my mother's words to me, "be prepared, it's a man's world out there."