On June 11, the online magazine Slate ran a piece by William Saletan on virginity restoration. Saletan’s piece followed articles in the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times about Muslim women in France who have lost their virginity and have elected to have their hymens surgically reattached; Muslim men expect their brides to be virgins and do not look kindly on those who are not.
On the homepage of Slate’s website, Saletan’s column was flagged by a picture of the Immaculate Heart of Mary; below the photo was the inscription, “A Defense of Virginity Restoration Surgery.”
It is mind-boggling that in a story that has nothing to do with Roman Catholicism, we see a gratuitous attack on Catholics. Were there not suitable Muslim photos that Slate could use to draw attention to Saletan’s article? The fact that they didn’t choose Islam iconography suggests not a lack of interest, but will: They didn’t have the guts to offend Muslims.
We urged our members to contact Slate’s New York office at nyoffice@slate.com
