Indonesia's province of Aceh has passed a new law making adultery punishable by stoning to death, a member of the province's parliament has said.
The law also imposes severe sentences for rape, homosexuality, alcohol consumption and gambling.
Opponents had tried to delay the law, saying more debate was needed because it imposes capital punishment.
Sharia law was partially introduced in Aceh in 2001, as part of a government offer to pacify separatist rebels.
A peace deal in 2005 ended the 30-year insurgency, and many of the former rebels have now entered Aceh's government, which enjoys a degree of autonomy from the central government in Jakarta.
"This law is a preventive measure for Acehnese people so that they will avoid moral degradation," said Moharriyadia, a spokesman for the Prosperous Justice Party.
Yes there's nothing like a little stoning to fix up the old morals!
BBC News
Hat tip to Talk Left
IIRC, stoning was the method prescribed in the Bible for many such crimes. It has a certain benefit. It is sufficiently horrible as to leave an impression on those who might be inclined to stray. It also is group participation, so every one has a hand in the execution and goes away with the memory or its horror.
ReplyDeletepart of our problem, I believe, here in America is we have gone soft on crime. Sure we stick people in jail for the hard 40, but jail is a picnic compared to some neighborhoods. Criminals get TV, movies, a weight room etc all on you dime and mine. I'd like to make the punishments short and sweet err harsh. What I also hate is islams unfairness. For every woman stoned for adultery, a man should be stoned along side her. No, I don't favor stoning for adultery. I would favor it for rape, especially child rape, murder, and a few other choice vile crimes.