Mohammed - a paedophile?

**KARTLOS** · 12-21-2006, 07:27

Its an embarrassing and rarely discussed aspect of the prophets lifestyle (particularly by apologists in the west), but by modern standards there is little doubt that the prohet was a paedophile and would be run out of town in any normal community (rather than revered as god holy messenger)

the facts briefly are that whilst in late-middle age he married his final wife aisha when she was six and consumated the marriage when she was 9.

these facts are widely accepted as true within islam, i.e there tends to be debate as to the interpretation rather than the dates.

i am surprised that this isnt brought up more often. to me once someone is established as a paedophile they lose all moral authority and respect. im intrigued as to how anyone (particularly muslims) would try to explain this away?

i dont buy the "different times, different standards" argument by the way - a child is a child and no normal man would in any circumstances want to have sex with a 9yr old.

edit: here is a link to a wikipedia page on the issue, i aknowledge wikipedia isnt the msot reliabel source and suggest reading around the issue

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aisha%27s_age_at_marriage

**Strike For The South** · 12-21-2006, 07:34

I cant say I fully agree and cant say I fully disagree ethier. I need more info. Ill watch the fireworks on this one

**Patriarch of Constantinople** · 12-21-2006, 07:38

The problem is, is that people need to understand alot of things that are shunned in modern society was normal practice back then. I don't think it really matters if Mohammed was a pedophile, he created a religion that is still practiced today. Personal life doesn't (shouldn't) change what the person did. Like arguing that Hannibal was black. Would it really change what he did? No.

**Patriarch of Constantinople** · 12-21-2006, 07:42

i dont buy the "different times, different standards" argument by the way - a child is a child and no normal man would in any circumstances want to have sex with a 9yr old.

How do you know? I bet you would be doing it if you lived back then. Really, you can't say that a man wouldn't be attracted to a young girl. I'm not saying being a pedophile is right, I'm saying it was common practice, Abraham had another wife, who was his maid (Hagar wasn't it?). Today that would be considered a no-no, but back then it was common practice.

**KARTLOS** · 12-21-2006, 07:51

Originally Posted by Patriarch of Constantinople

How do you know? I bet you would be doing it if you lived back then. Really, you can't say that a man wouldn't be attracted to a young girl. I'm not saying being a pedophile is right, I'm saying it was common practice, Abraham had another wife, who was his maid (Hagar wasn't it?). Today that would be considered a no-no, but back then it was common practice.

i cant believe you are arguing this issue. we are not talking about a "young woman" here, a 9yr old is a 9yr old. men arent biologically programmed to find 9yr olds sexually attrative, it is not something that should cross a normal persons mind.

hagar iirc was simply a second wife, that might not be standard practice now but there is nothing inherently abhorent or unnatural about it.

**Patriarch of Constantinople** · 12-21-2006, 07:55

Originally Posted by KARTLOS

i cant believe you are arguing this issue. we are not talking about a "young woman" here, a 9yr old is a 9yr old. men arent biologically programmed to find 9yr olds sexually attrative, it is not something that should cross a normal persons mind.

hagar iirc was simply a second wife, that might not be standard practice now but there is nothing inherently abhorent or unnatural about it.

So Abraham can have an affair, a second wife and a child with that second wife, but Mohammed can't be attracted to a girl? Come on. A "biologically programmed" person. A person is different from another person. They aren't all programmed the same. Again, you didn't live then and can't say what's "normal".

**KARTLOS** · 12-21-2006, 08:02

Originally Posted by Patriarch of Constantinople

So Abraham can have an affair, a second wife and a child with that second wife, but Mohammed can't be attracted to a girl? Come on. .

"but mohammed cant be attracted to a girl" this girl was 6!! when he fist married her! i cant believe you are suggesting that might be ok/normal

**KARTLOS** · 12-21-2006, 07:44

it doesnt change what he did = establish a successful religion

but surely it should destroy his crediblity? i dont understand how anyone can follow the teacings of a nonce

**Patriarch of Constantinople** · 12-21-2006, 07:53

Originally Posted by KARTLOS

it doesnt change what he did = establish a successful religion

but surely it should destroy his crediblity? i dont understand how anyone can follow the teacings of a nonce

I don't understand how people never come to realize today's world is different than the past's world. How can Jews follow the teachings of Abraham even though he had an affair with Hagar, and married her AND had Ishmael? Because he taught a religion of faith that is important to daily life. Really it doesn't matter if Mohammed was a pedophile, because it doesn't change what he did. Really, they follow the teachings of him. Wow he was a pedophile, he must not be a messenger of God! Really as I always state, alot was different back then.

**KARTLOS** · 12-21-2006, 07:58

im not sure why you continue to equate having an affair/second wife, with defiling a child surely they are not in the same league?

**Patriarch of Constantinople** · 12-21-2006, 08:02

Because both are considered wrong today, I'm making a point you seem to not get. IT WAS DIFFERENT BACK THEN, TODAY IT IS CONSIDERED WRONG BUT BACK THEN IT WAS NORMAL.