How can the draconian punishments endorsed by Sharia Law be reconcilable with enlightened societies?
If you look carefully at the rulings regarding punishment, you will find that whilst the actual punishment is harsh, the likelihood of it being carried out (IF the rules are followed correctly) is practically zero. In my humble opinion, the description of the punishments given for various crimes, is more to give an indication to the individual of the severity of the sin/crime and thus the level of caution required by the person to prevent such an act rather than anything further. Most punishments come with stipulations. lets take an example of a man who has stolen in order to feed his family… The punishment for theft is the hand being chopped off. But in order to carry this out, there must be two CREDIBLE witnesses to the robbery AND the state must be in a position to have provided for that individual in such a manner as to prevent such a desperate act. It is the state’s responsibility to provide and aide those amongst it’s citizens that have little or no means to support themselves
