Humans are cruel.

When I read of politicians who think we should allow poor people to die so that they don't breed more poor people, or when I read about right-wingers here in the US who don't believe that, with all of our wealth, we can afford to provide health care to those who can't otherwise afford it, I realize the extent of the cruelty within the hearts of so many of us. Many of these cruel people will tell you of their belief in a loving God, but they themselves are beyond loving anyone but themselves.

But the cruelty is not limited to us - it is world wide and it is often a manifestation of some perverted belief in a cruel and punishing God. It is based in ignorance and superstition and it makes me sick to my stomach.

The following is from the J-Walk Blog.

In Bangladesh: Rape victim receives 101 lashes for becoming pregnant.

A 16-year-old girl who was raped in Bangladesh has been given 101 lashes for conceiving during the assault.

The girl's father was also fined and warned the family would be branded outcasts from their village if he did not pay.

According to human rights activists, the girl, who was quickly married after the attack, was divorced weeks later after medical tests revealed she was pregnant.

Her rape emerged after her pregnancy test and Muslim elders in the village issued a fatwa insisting that the girl be kept in isolation until her family agreed to corporal punishment.

Her rapist was pardoned by the elders.

I wonder how they came up with the number 101? Is it really an even 100, plus "one for good measure?"