ABSURD BELIEFS · VIOLENCE & SEXUAL ETHICS
Slaughter of the Midianites
Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man.
The passage involves the killing of male children and non-virgin women children, and the taking of virgin girls. From an Islamic perspective, such actions conflict with the principles of justice, morality, mercy, and the protection of innocents.
THE CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
This passage illustrates divine judgment against the Midianites for their actions against Israel. It serves as a historical account of God's command to eliminate persistent threats and evil influences, highlighting the severity with which God deals with those who oppose His people and disrupt their faith.
THE ISLAMIC POSITION
The command to kill boys and non-virgin women while sparing virgin girls is deeply troubling and raises significant ethical and moral concerns. In Islam, warfare is governed by strict rules that prohibit harming non-combatants, including children and women, unless they pose a direct threat. Such a passage contradicts Islamic principles of justice, mercy, and the protection of innocent lives, highlighting a fundamental difference in the portrayal of divine commands regarding violence and the treatment of non-combatants. Furthermore, the specific directive to keep women and children "for yourselves" is disheartening and reflects behavior that would not align with Islamic beliefs about justice and morality.
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Slaughter of the Midianites