BlogBlurb - Level-headed Islam
I find it astonishing that a Danish newspaper prints a cartoon, depicting a bomb in the headdress of Muhammad, and the world erupts in protest... VIOLENT protest!
I think they just proved the cartoonists' point.
Most muslims are not violent and are peaceful, freedom-loving individuals living all over the world. I remember the betryal I felt when Christian fundamentalists were blowing up buildings and shooting abortion doctors in the 90's. I was disgusted with the fact that out-of-line militias were making a bad name for our peaceful faith. There was nothing I could do but pray that God would put it to and end. Eventually, it made its way out of the news. And for the most part, Christianity is seen as a peaceful faith, albeit a little extraordinary at times.
However, there are 164 verses in the Koran that speak of Jihad, that is annihilation of those that resist the faith; the unbelievers. While those that practice terrorism are those that take the Koran most literally, I do not believe that all other muslims can distance themselves as far as they would like from those that do these horrific things. The "peaceful" muslims are those that interpret Islamic law in the most philisophical of ways, translating the truths of the Koran into a way of life very different than it has been taught for 1,700 years. Only recently did Jihad become a "mental and spiritual war against the world" to the peaceful. They are to Islam what the United Methodists are to the Christian Church. Liberal, philisophical, post-modern retranslation. The problem is that such teaching does not exist in a dozen or so entire nations that embrace the most literal and traditional forms of Islam, which call for killing those opposed to Muhammad and "Allah".
I do not agree that the cartoonist should have displayed the cartoon in such a brash way. But the violent protests that have proceeded are only proving his point. And I don't see anyone else pointing out this ironicity. Even moreso is the instance of an Egyptian magazine printing the same cartoon 4 months earlier during Ramadan. Yet there were no violent protests then. Secretary of State Condi Rice is now contending Iran and Syria have propagated these outbursts at demonstrations to earn global clout for their agenda.
Fortunately for us, 1.1 billion of the 1.2 billion Muslims are "liberal, philisophical" and "post-modern" or we'd all be dead.
posted by Mr. Ed at 6:13 AM
2 Comments:
The cartoonist is offensive. I wish he and the newspaper used some responsibility in regards to free speech. Free speech works when people use responsibility of what they say, however everyone has the right to say what they want. Muslims who reacted so outrageously crossed the line. At work, church, what I watch on tv I'm offended, however I don't go out and vandalize things. It just goes to show you how daft the extremist are.
I don't believe the cartoonist was any more offensive than any other editorial cartoon found in your local newspaper. The strangest part of this story is that the Muslims are more offended at the actual use of their leaders face than about the context. To them its blasphemy to use his likeness in a picture or drawing.
But honestly, who the heck cares? Does that somehow warrant a ridiculous reaction? Blow stuff up, that'll solve the problem.
Post a Comment
<< Home