1 I don't know about the Arab culture, but in Indian subcontinent, early marriage was a widely practiced affair (even in the mid twentieth century). Girls were married off as early as 6 or 7 usually to a boy of 16-17. This practice did not depend on girl's puberty. The government had to enact special law to ban early marriages and the ban is also sometimes violated in this century by some superstitious people. If we were to compare medieval social practices in todays context, yes many Indian Hindu/Muslim/Christian/Buddhists were pedophiles too in earlier days. It doesn't have anything to do with religion.

2 It has plenty to do with religion when it is claimed that Allah willed it that Muhammed should marry Aisha. It has plenty to do with religion when a "prophet's" actions are used to justifiy it in the present. When any action is attributed to a culture or tribal tenet wihtout bringing their God and prophet to bear as justification, it's one thing, but this is an action that is sanctified because their prophet did it. When any cult or sect goes back to a holy book to justify the action - whatever it is - it has plenty to do with religion. When that holy book is accompanied with other texts (ie. the Sunnah) that mandate that others should follow the example, it has plenty to do with religion. People have been killing each other since the beginning. Sometimes for greed, sometimes for hate, sometimes for love. But would we say that the jihadists killing of the infidel has nothing to do with religion because it's been done by others? Maybe not a perfect analogy, but close enough.

3 At what age did Joseph marry Mary ? Many believe that the translation of the Hebrew young woman" to be pre 13 years of age. http://www.udayton.edu/mary/questions/faq/faq02.htm lhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary%2C_Mother_of_Jesus#Mary.27s_age Here are a couple of links. Of course everyone always wants to look harshly at the fools who worship the other false religions, but do not like their own examined too closely.

4 John, as usual you're being an idiot. Mary's age is immaterial to the topic, because it was never mentioned, and isn't used by Christians as an excuse to marry young girls. Stop being stupid if you can possibly help it.

5 Rotten sex feinds he should be sent to prison

6 It has plenty to do with religion when it is claimed that Allah willed it that Muhammed should marry Aisha Surely we are taking much heed to such claims. In the same way we also stereotype the Jihadists ideologies as ideologies of 25% people of the world. You will see that Muslims brought up in different regions and cultures act and behave differently. It is wrong to think that a Muslim's thought in Afghanistan and a Muslim immigrant's thought in US would be the same. It all depends on the person's education, upbringing, exposure and freedom to define how one takes one's religion. The real problem is with those Muslims who in the 21st century want to clutch to his religion, and want to define him/herself by the religion. Instead of regarding religion as a pathway with rational reasoning, he/she is more interested in interpretation of a 1500 old text according to his preference. We need to identify those areas and work towards bringing freedom, democracy and enlightment to these people, not indulging in the discussion of Ayesha's age or the medieval practices. We need to raise our voices against those apologists who support the jihadi ideologies. "Religion is the idol of the mob; it adores everything it does not understand." -

7 Rezwan, I think you're being a little contradictory in your last paragraph. By indulging in this very discussion we are in fact raising our voices against what jihadists fight for and that a glut of others apologize for. Aisha's age and the fact that this behavior is still commonly practiced is but one aspect of the ideology among so many that go against the very fabric of the rest of the world's advancements in the area of human rights. And you proved my point in regards to those who are brought up in other more advanced cultures. While they may see it as wrong, most do not speak out against it. They are more compelled to keep their head down and their mouth shut and when cornered on the issue they may admit quietly that they would not do such a thing, but will invariably quote the Koran and say others who do are within their rights. The day we cannot indulge in a discussion about the systemic abuse of children is the day we give up.