In Egypt the line between politics and religion is as blurry as my windshield on a rainy day (remind me to replace my wipers!). According to the orthodox Coptic tradition, divorce is frowned upon and remarriage is an impossibility. Therefore, when a Coptic man thought this was supremely unfair (and unconstitutional), he went to the Administrative Court to force the church to marry him–a step he needs to be legally married that is. In an unexpected and controversial ruling, the Court ruled in favor of the plaintiff forcing the Coptic church to abide by “constitutional” rights. The church then appealed to the Supreme Constitutional Court. This begs the age old questions: is marriage a religious institution? Is the state interfering in religious freedom? Is religion intruding on constitutional rights? Why the hell does this man want to remarry given the church probably gave him hell for divorcing? Ok never mind on the last question; afterall, who doesn’t deserve a second chance? One hopes this case brings to light the absurdity of religious intrusion in personal life. And similarly state intrusion in personal life (such as declaring a religion on ID card, switching religions, not allowing Egyptians to marry Israelis, not allowing Muslim women to marry non-Muslim men, etc.). Unfortunately, the insatiable need to regulate identities and human behavior is an obsession of religions and states alike, and their marriage is as overbearing as a used car salesman.
Flotilla Pirates
Videos of the Israeli raid on the flotilla show the activists throwing objects at Israeli soldiers and trying to throw them off board as well, but is that not what you would do if pirates landed on your ship too? George Bisharat has more astute analysis of “self-defense” claims and all your legal inquiries. Meanwhile, NBC has taken a rare turn into reality by showing the inhumane treatment Gazans face in prison, and Pixies, Elvis Costello and Gorillaz cancel their performances in Israel in boycott to the recent events. Then Helen Thomas loses her job for “letting it all out” so to speak. This is great precedent, I think, because I too am thinking of ending the career of every person on television who says something racist or anti-Arab. But I am afraid the only thing remaining on television will be “The Hills,” which leaves Arabs, blacks, Mexicans and all minorities altogether off the show. Thankfully, of course! This is all very fascinating, but I am still wondering in what world can IOF IDF soldiers claim to be the “victims” of hippy humanitarian workers and the very populace Israel besieges?