Muhammad cartoon row intensifies
Newspapers across Europe have reprinted caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad to show support for a Danish paper whose cartoons have sparked Muslim outrage.
Interesting, isn’t? Radical Islamofascists and hard-line Muslims overwhlemingly support terrorism and suicide bombings of innocent civilians in the furtherance of their political, religious, and ideological agenda, and yet when someone dares to lampoon these same Radical Islamofascists, all Hell breaks loose? How DARE these infidels insult Islam? Actually, radical Islam is a very inviting target, given the way they’ve bent and twisted the tenets of their religion to justify the pursuit of murder and mayhem.
How about y’all just relax and stop taking yourselves so g——-n seriously? Yes, I understand that there is a question of respecting others here (never mind killing innocent civilians), but sometimes the price of being well-informed is being pissed off and offended every now and then. Besides, what is it that causes so many Muslims to be so thoroughly and completely humorless? Do these people really believe that the world revolves around them and their religious beliefs?
I look at these cartoons, and I see political cartoons like any other. There is no insult of Islam, whether actual or implied. Sure, the jokes might border on the tasteless or unfunny, but then so do most political cartoons. It’s the nature of the beast. These cartoons merely fall under the “It wouldn’t hurt if it weren’t true.” banner. Yes, political cartoons sometimes inform, sometimes generate debate, and sometimes genuinely offend. Really, though, what is so bad about being forced to think about and/or re-examinine an issue or idea? What is so bad about being forced to see that some people view Islam as a hotbed of intolerance, xenophobia, and terrorism? Might it not be time to do something to change this perception, rather than trying to kill the messenger? Denmark is NOT your problem- intolerant, extremist violence is.
Or is that really the problem here? Are radical Muslims simply upset that non-Muslims might recognize their ideology and intolerant, violent theology for the empty shell it truly is?
The cartoons have sparked diplomatic sanctions and death threats in some Arab nations, while media watchdogs have defended publication of the images in the name of press freedom.
Reporters Without Borders said the reaction in the Arab world “betrays a lack of understanding” of press freedom as “an essential accomplishment of democracy.” ….
The caricatures include drawings of Muhammad wearing a headdress shaped like a bomb, while another shows him saying that paradise was running short of virgins for suicide bombers.
So what do Islamofascists and Fundamentalist Christians have in common? A serious lack of anything resembling a sense of humor? An intolerance of those who don’t share their narrow, fear-based worldview? A festering sense of self-superiority and the belief that they are one of the Chosen? How about all of the above?
Look, if these folks can’t handle a few simple political cartoons, the Religion of Peace © has bigger problems than you might think. At it’s most basic, these cartoons represent the perception that Islam stands for terrorism. Of course, reasonable people recognize this for the generalization that it is. However, just as many Muslims tend to generalize all non-Muslims as infidels, so too do many non-Muslims see Islam as a recipe for violent extremism.
Perhaps the biggest problem here is that so much of the reaction in the Muslim world has been just that- reaction. I doubt most of those who are protesting have even seen the comics or really even have a clear idea of just what happened here. All they’ve likely heard is that the filthy Danes have demeaned the Prophet, and therefore action must be taken to protect the honor of Islam and the Prophet. While I can understand where these folks are coming from, I would suggestion that Muslims just might want to take a good, long look in the mirror. Perhaps it’s time to figure out why your religion has been hijacked by those who would kill and destroy while using Islam as their shield and justification. Perhaps if well-meaning Muslims concentrated more on the problems presented by extremists, the rest of the world would have less reason to be spewing venom in their direction.
Those who practive the Religion of Peace would do well to work towards convincing non-Muslims that those who kill and maim in the name of the Prophet have bastardized the good name and tenets of Islam. If Muslims continue to condone violent extremism by their silence, they certainly have no claim to righteous anger when non-Muslims respond. The problem here is not a collection of silly political cartoons. The problems is that Muslims have allowed their religion to be hijacked through their own silence and intolerance. Deal with that issue, and perhaps things will improve. Otherwise, those of us who believe in free speech and expression will continue to do our thing.
Your choice, y’all….
