OT: Muhammed-caricatyres and freedom of speach

[Renegade 13]

alarikf said:
Don't like abortion? Don't have one.
Don't like gay marriage? Don't do it.
Don't like other people's cartoons? Don't buy their newspaper.

That's all well and good, except for a few things. People who support and have abortions do not believe it's murder. Other's who think they should be illegal, believe it is murder. It is universally accepted that murder is illegal, so who is right, since people have differing and personal views on when "life" begins.

Same sort of thing applies to gay marriage. Sure, someone may not like the idea, but be tolerant of it. But those same people may not want it taught in their children's school that homosexuality is as "natural" as heterosexuality.

My point simply is that we do not live in a vacuum. Things that other people do/do not do can affect us all. Simply saying "if you don't like it, don't do it" is too simplistic in my opinion.

[Nomis]

IMO some of Muslims are very aggressive and violent... and nothing can change that. These cartoons was just the simple reason. They could probably find another, different stupid reason to start anti-catholics/anti-judes/anti-west war.

In Poland we have almost 99% Catholics and lots of jokes, funny comics, books, stories about inquisitors, fanatics burning witches, priests molesting animals, angels behaving like devils... much more offensive than these 12 cartoons and nobody even think about violent demonstrations, throwing stones, and bomb attacks.

Today I saw one picture on x-wars game forum (Players complain that game is very buggy, so it’s like "war with bugs").
http://forum.x-wars.pl/thread.php?po...0520#post20520
I explain that English word “Bug” sound similar to polish word means "God".
I'm catholic and I think it’s offensive, however I know that it's not serious, and just for fun.
Remember a Monty Python’s film "Brian’s Life" (or similar I didn't keep in mind original title)?.... Was controversial. Now it's just classic comedy. When we watched it some times ago even my grandmother (radical catholic) was laughing.

[Atrocities]

If they get this upset over a cartoon depicting the Profit Mohamad (sp) telling them to stop the sucide bombings, that they are all out of virgins, then image how mad they would get if they had depicted him having sex with a pig while drinking a fifth of scotch or something. "Druken and in love with ham."

I think the world understands that there are two standards being applied. Our standard, that being free speech and equal rights, the their standard, that being what it is.

Given a choice between the two, I will always choose freedom over oppression. No one in the world are going to take them seriously until they can learn to control their tempors and behave like civilised human beings.

But if your out to make them angry, at least you now know how to do it.

[dogscoff]

f they get this upset over a cartoon depicting the Profit Mohamad (sp) telling them to stop the sucide bombings, that they are all out of virgins, then image how mad they would get if they had depicted him having sex with a pig while drinking a fifth of scotch or something. "Druken and in love with ham."

I think the world understands that there are two standards being applied. Our standard, that being free speech and equal rights, the their standard, that being what it is.

At, who exactly is the "they" you refer to in this post? Muslims in general? Most Muslims do no associate themselves with suicide bombers, just as most Christians tend to distance themselves from the Spanish Inquisition and Timothy McVeigh. Or are you setting out to be delibrately offensive in order to make a point?

[Will]

I think the context is fairly clear, that "they" refered to those who "(got) this upset over a cartoon depicting the (prophet Mohammed)". With "this upset" refering to the ones that got so upset that they went bat**** crazy, basically started riots, and got themselves killed. And AT's post is basically saying "DAMN, CALM THE **** DOWN!"

[Ed Kolis]

In my country we have people painting pictures of the Virgin Mary and smearing them with feces... and no fundamentalist Christians burn down any embassies...

[EvilGenius4ABetterTomorro]

Yes, and wasn't there also a crucifix suspended in Urine? I was more offended at the government grant that the guy got than the possible sacriligious image. I'm pretty thick skinned and have a real demented sense of humor. Once in a great while I will get offended. But I'm a big boy now and I can deal with it.
Maybe those muslims should go have a beer and eat some porkrinds, maybe go fly a kite or something. Too much religion not enough ethics!

[Atrocities]

Will said:
I think the context is fairly clear, that "they" refered to those who "(got) this upset over a cartoon depicting the (prophet Mohammed)". With "this upset" refering to the ones that got so upset that they went bat**** crazy, basically started riots, and got themselves killed. And AT's post is basically saying "DAMN, CALM THE **** DOWN!"

Thank you, well said.

[Azselendor]

More often than not, Extremist and Fundamentalist Religious leader ethics boils down "Do as I say, not as I do."

[Renegade 13]

Religions evolve over time, they change. Change is the one thing in life that is inevitable, besides death (Taxes can be worked around ). I don't know my Middle Eastern history that well, but in the past wasn't Islam an honorable, decent religion?

Well, perhaps in the past it was. Perhaps it still is, I don't really know. But like I said, things change. Perhaps Islam has changed from an honorable religion gradually to one accepting of violence against those who are not believers. Maybe I'm wrong. But take for example the evolution of mainstream Christianity. It to began as an honorable religion, promoting unity, harmony and selflessness. However, that changed, as all things do. The Crusades. The higher-up Cathlics doing everything in Latin which no one understood in the Middle Ages just to keep people in the dark. The collection of money from members of the religion. The Catholic Churches is immensely rich...comes from ripping off the church-goers for millenia.

Now I'm not attacking either Islam or Christianity. Well maybe I am being critical. But I think everything I've said is accurate to the best of my knowledge, so I hope nothing I've said is overly offensive.