Doesn't this sound like a "religion of peace"? After a Danish newspaper published cartoons that an artist used to express his freedom of speech, Islams decided that a way to correct this action was to blow up buildings. I guess we know their stance on speech rights. Do they not realize that people have their right to opinions? Christians don't go blow up their houses in America when they criticize our faith and beliefs. What gives them the right to do so? I think they just reinforced the message behind the cartoons. I have posted the above original cartoons in support of Denmark, the newspaper, the artists, and our rights to opinions and thoughts.Michelle Malkin is maintaining a list of other bloggers supporting Denmark. Cox & Forkum has their own version of cartoons regarding the situation. Face of Muhammed is a blog offering all of the original cartoons. Bob Krumm has his thoughts.
filed under: terrorism
Shawn, I have a question. I am aware that these cartoons were first published in September and were later reprinted. So...did the protests actually start in September and have just recently become violent, or was it the reprinting of these cartoons that has caused some islamic extremists to rebel in such a manner?
ReplyDeleteBrittany, as far as I know these violent protests are only a recent occurence. I'm sure that they were not happy about the first printing, but I say that the reprinting really ticked them off. I also think that the media's recent exposure to these cartoons have also helped add to the flames; I would say that many of them didn't even know about the cartoons until the media talked about them.
ReplyDeleteBy grouping all of Islam into one violent category, as you have. You prove that you are no better than the extremist you condemn. You defame the good of Islam in hopes of bringing attention to yourself and as a means to instill fear in your readers. Those are the typical characteristics of an immature journalist, and of the Republican Party.
ReplyDeleteTwo questions, though: who said that I was a journalist and that I belonged to the Republican party? As for putting "all of Islam into one violent category," I am sorry. I certainly do not believe that every member of this faith is violent, but I do believe that the Islamic faith has certainly not presented itself well to the world.
ReplyDeleteThis semester I am taking a class on Islam. I'm not going to claim to know much about it since the semester just began, and also I haven't really come into contact with many muslims in my life, but there are a couple of things I can say. Our teacher, Dr. Martin, was a missionary in East Africa for (I can't remember the exact amount of time) 40 years. We started to discuss this issue in class the other day, and many people had questions on why the muslims got so upset and why Denmark did this in the first place, blah blah blah, but the thing I remember the most is how upset Dr. Martin got over it. It is against Islamic practice to even have an image of Muhammad, let alone one with a bomb in his turban! This people's faith was mocked to their face. And by bringing up the fact that they killed others because of this, is like the Christians who will bomb and abortion clinic for what they believe. This is not what their religion is about, and bombing abortion clinics is not what our religion is about. Let's not let a select few skew our image of Muslims, and let's not forget the tragic things that have been done in the name of our Savior. My Jesus would never bomb an abortion clinic, and their Muhammad would never put bombs in cars.
ReplyDeleteYay for freedom of speech and press, but I would want to throw up if someone drew a picture of Jesus with a bomb in his beard or something.
Do unto others.... you know the rest
You are right on, Jordan. I probably miscommunicated the message that I was trying to convey (as I often do with my posts). I do not support the cartoons themselves; I do not think anyone should critize any religion (Islamic, Jewish, Christian, Mormon, etc). I have friends that practice religions much differently from me, but I dare not disrespect their opinion or beliefs. I certainly do not believe that my Savior went around mocking others for what they believed. The artists of these cartoons did wrong by defaming this religion (one that they probably do not fully understand as myself also). I do, however, support the right for these artists and these newpapers to publicly express themselves (however it may be); they have this right as human beings. That is all that I support: their right to free expression. If someone drew images or talked about Christ in a mocking manner (and they do), I would certainly be extremely upset and disgusted. I would, however, recognize that they have that right to express themselves. I would try to refrain myself from judging and punishing that person; I will leave that up to God. These artists have certainly not respected the Islamic faith, but they should not be punished (by humans) for exercising their freedom of speech. What kind of world would this be if we were threatened of death for comments that we have made or opinions that we have? That is not a world that I want to live in. I think that the editors should have given respect to the people of Islam and their faith, but I also believe that the people of Islam should respect the rights of free expression (not saying that every person of Islam does not believe this).
ReplyDeleteGood call, Shawn. I liked everything you said! And I didn't think you were supporting the artist's view on Islam, I have just heard some rather disgusting debate on this subject and just wanted to express my opinion. I'm glad you put stuff like this on your website. Go Shawn.
ReplyDelete