Prophet Muhammad Cartoons
Please don't start posting links to them, I haven't seen these cartoons and I don't particularly want to. But I do think they pose an interesting conundrum.
On the one hand, I fully respect the rights of others to their beliefs and customs, just as I would expect others to respect mine. But, as a non-religious believer in certain basic freedoms of expression, I find the concept of blasphemy very difficult to come to terms with. What's happening with these cartoons - and the principle of blasphemy generally - is essentially one group of people saying that because of what they choose to believe, I mustn't be allowed to look at certain images, or say certain things, or share certain ideas - and even threatening death to anyone who disagrees with this.
I find this basically wrong on every level. I believe it's one thing to hold certain things true to yourself, and to choose to uphold your own faith through your own actions, but when you attempt to impose that same behaviour on people that do not share your faith it is crossing the line - and offensively disrespectful of those other people and their beliefs.
And I don't like it one bit.
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Re:Prophet Muhammad Cartoons
I can fully see your point, but the problem is one of scale, I believe.
A national newspaper printed a image that was essentially the most offensive possible to people of that faith - and mass distributed it. This shows a massive lack of consideration.
Then another paper printed another one, mocking the reaction people had to the first one.
Now ok, the escalation of the protests are, to western eyes, over the top, but the casual arrogance of the Danish and French editors to print those cartoons is staggering. It's not about imposing views, it's about respecting peoples belief system.
I seem to remember that Islam are the biggest religious group on the planet as well ? (might be wrong on that one though)
This message was edited by
-man on 2006-02-08 06:57
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Re:Prophet Muhammad Cartoons
In terms of freedom of speech, the right to say things which are controversial, unpopular or make other people angry is the most important part of it, since those kinds of things are what are most likely to be restricted (as opposed to, for example, saying "I think kittens are cute".)
Having said that, the carton which caused the most controversy, showing Mohammed wearing a turban containing a bomb with a lit fuse, is clearly offensive and comes very close to saying that all Muslims are terrorists. (For anyone who does want to see them, there's a tumbnail version in Wikipedia, no link here because of Tim's request.)
If the only issue with the cartoons was that they are blasphemous then I would agree with what you say, but at least one of the cartoons goes beyond that and could be interpreted as saying thyat Islam is a terrorist religion.
Another point that has been made is that there are apparent double standards, in that racist or anti-semitic imagery would be condemed while anti-islamic imagery is defended as free speech.
Re:Prophet Muhammad Cartoons
I don't accept that there's any racist slur involved. The association between Islam and terrorism suggested by the cartoon may be insulting to the vast majority of muslims, but it's simply a satirical reflection on a reality where terrorist atrocities are being carried out in the name of Islam, by people who consider themselves to be devout muslims, and who firmly believe that they do what they do in the name of Islam. That's a fact, and should perhaps be more objectionable to the rest of Islamic society than a few unfunny cartoons. IMHO.
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Re:Prophet Muhammad Cartoons
Well not even my blog avoided this discussion as I was suggest this topic so if anyone fancies reading my response you can do so here.
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Re:Prophet Muhammad Cartoons
I even got quoted ! Thanks Giz.
Is it just me or did anyone else find it weird that apparently this article appeared in November, and it is only now kicking off?
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Re:Prophet Muhammad Cartoons
yeh, but that's the way things seem to work. It passes when it's actually printed but suddenly someone, some where spots it and kicks up the biggest fuss.
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Re:Prophet Muhammad Cartoons
Or, someone somewhere with an agenda happens upon an excuse to stir up some hatred to further their cause, and we all applaud their righteousness..
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