Why would any woman want to be Christian?

[John V]

Yes, if the girl was a virgin, and she was not already sold (erusin - waiting for delivery) and if the father doesn't like the guy, then the opposing verses indicate that the father, as primary owner, has a choice in the matter, but the seducer/boyfriend or rapist does not. It also appears that the girl, as property, does not have any choice either, although a good father would take his daughter's feelings into account. The financial incentive of a resale might cause him to hold onto her. Non-virgins have less financial value, and so are out of the picture concerning compensation.

At this point, it comes down to spin. You see a daughter as property to be sold. To me, the father wants what is best for his daughter and is older and wiser, so he makes the decision. The father presumably checks out the husband and believes he's suitable. The bride price is an extra protection which helps ensure that the potential husband has likewise considered the bride and believes she's suitable. This is speaking of the general case. In the specific case at hand, the father further has the right to deny the daughter to the man.

While arranged marriage in general seems odd to most of us today, I see nothing immoral or outrageous in in these laws.