Going soon from a museum near you
This sort of thing:
Sorry, but it is yet another petition: "We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Enact legislation banning the display of Human Remains".
And here is the more fleshed out rationale:
So, adieu archaeology, adieu anthropology, and come to that, anatomy lectures for medical students and the like. And I suppose, the auto-icon of Jeremy Bentham:
Sorry, but it is yet another petition: "We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Enact legislation banning the display of Human Remains".
And here is the more fleshed out rationale:
"The public display of human remains, for example mummified bodies taken from their tombs in egypt (sic), or the body of a young child dug up and displayed at Avebury in England, is a complete disrespect of these peoples (sic) beliefs and a violation of their rights, and the rights of their people. The very idea of being dup (sic)up and displayed 1000 years in the future is horrific. We need to realise that these peoples (sic) beliefs are valid and their rest should not be disturbed, or their traditions violated We need to bring in legislation now to stop this horrific violation of these peoples (sic) rights, and to ensure that the same treatment does not befall us in the future, and to ensure that more belief systems are not rudely thrust aside by the massive fascination the current culture has for staring at dead bodies"
So, adieu archaeology, adieu anthropology, and come to that, anatomy lectures for medical students and the like. And I suppose, the auto-icon of Jeremy Bentham:
Labels: petitions
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on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 2:41 pm.
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Perhaps the petitioners are orthodox Jews, who I understand reject archaeology because it involves disturbing the dead?
Shana tova.
The Haredim do indeed take that line, but the name of the petitioner and his relative (?) of the same surname who have signed it do not have names that would signpost religious persuasion.
Mr & Ms Bonehead?
How can we know what the beliefs of people 1000 years ago where in relation to this?
And what about people who die and agree to have their remains shown? (surely a prerequisite for any modern remains?)
And if you don't like it, don't support the museum and try to persuade others not to. Oh but that involves personal work not simply using the government to force your views.
I consent to be dug up a 1000 years i the future!
If the mummies didn't want anyone looking at them, why did they built such "coo-ee here I am" bunkers? And preserve their bodies?
How patronising for this petitioner to assume to know how the dead of 2000 years ago felt about us looking at (and respepcting) their culture and heritage?
Dear petitioner, can we still "dup" up their landfills?
ps I consent to have my body dressed up in frilly period costume. You may also make fun of my pentium 2000 computer with CRT screen.
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