I really liked reading that article. As a rule in general, I tend to not talk about things unless I know extensively about the issues (my age plays a factor into this too). This is including insights into Islam. Despite the fact that my ancestors have lived side by side with Muslims, this gives me no right to have any sort of superiority complex.

The point about "voice" is a tricky one, though. Because, for example, I have an opinion on the recently made law in France forbidding women from wearing burkas. When I express my opinion, am I silencing a woman who is directly affected by this i.e. Muslim and in France? Is that considered speaking for other women?

Also, I feel a little torn about the "Completely disassociate Islam with problems like domestic violence that women face" because I think it depends on what type of Islam the couple practice. It would be foolish to ignore the fact that religion affects culture and vice versa and that many more extreme factions of any given religion (not just Islam) encourage husband-on-wife violence or encourage male superiority. This isn't to say that religion would be the cause of any attack, but that to ignore religion as a contributing factor would be unwise. There are factions of Islam that preach that women are subservient, just like there are factions of Christianity, Judaism and Buddhism that preach that women are subservient. Basically, my point is that it's hard to separate religion from events like this, just as it would be difficult to separate gender or culture. But this is also NOT to say that all Islam is the same.

And with that, I'd like to end with a quote from the Qur'an 3:34, from the time of Maryam's (Mary, mother of Jesus/Isa) birth:

When she was delivered, she said: "O my Lord! Behold! I am delivered of a female child!" - and God knew best what she brought forth - "And not wise is the male like the female"

I see where you're coming from with regard to non-Muslim bad attitudes, because of the privilege of being in a "majority" wrt religious culture. And on top of that, the (mistaken) sense that Christianity is a more enlightened religion.

Here's my struggle though: the way I think about this issue is very much colored by the way I view religion in general. Admitedly, I know more about Christianity and Judaism than I do Islam. Yet in what I DO know about Islam, I see parallels. I see fundamentalists/extremists of many religions behaving in similar (controlling) ways toward women. Even moderates (again, of many religions) still seem to have questionable views about women and their roles. I see much in modern-day religion that keeps patriarchy fresh long after it might otherwise have wilted.

There's a blog, "No Longer Quivering", (http://2spb.blogspot.com/) that has a recent post about "patriarchy across cultures". (The main theme of the blog is about very conservative Christian sects and the harmful effects they have on women & children.)

If I saw a sterotypical "Quiverfull" woman in a modest "Little house on the Praire" dress and an odd lacey head covering walking around with 7 kids, I would definitely have a reaction along the lines of "That's sad, she's a victim, she's oppressed". I feel that same feeling when I see a woman completely covered in a burqua. I wouldn't know the actual situation of either woman, and yeah, obviously the clothing isn't the real issue. But my reaction in either case might be criticized for focusing on the clothing, or for jumping to conclusions, or for being anti-religious. As a matter of fact, I AM somewhat anti-religious, if the religion in question is a forceful, indoctrinating type of religion. Does it mean I'm against people who are religious? I'd say no, but I recognize it's not simple.

As a "Christian-ish" (actually UU) woman, what should be my role in standing up for other women (or, especially, girls) against what I see as harmful religious influences? Since I "know" Christianity better, is it acceptable that I take action for women oppressed by Christianity but not for those oppressed by Islam? Is it wrong for me to say that there are oppressive aspects of Islam AS a religion? This is the sticking point for me, because if I keep completely silent about Islam it may send the message that I just don't really CARE about Islam, or the women involved.