Hirsi Ali: “taunt Muslims”
The Telegraph has more news on the Danish cartoon controversy (see below). The publication of 12 cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed has led to street demonstrations by thousands of Muslims.
New information from the Telegraph: the author who sparked the cartoon fest by complaining that he couldn’t find anyone to illustrate his book on the Koran and Mohammed was Kare Bluitgen, a children’s writer.
Quote from the editor of Jyllands-Posten, Carsten Juste:
To demand that we take religious feelings into consideration is irreconcilable with western democracy and freedom of expression. […] This doesn’t mean that we want to insult any Muslims.
One of the cartoonists, Franz Füchsel, said he didn’t want to offend anyone,
But I live in 2005, not 905 and I use my quill in the way that Danish law allows me.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Dutch MP and author of Submission, also offered her support:
It’s necessary to taunt Muslims on their relationship with Mohammed.
Otherwise we will never have the dialogue we need to establish with Muslims on the most central question: ‘Do you really feel that every Muslim in 2005 should follow the way of life the Prophet had 1,400 years ago, as the Koran dictates?’
It is quite extraordinary that in the 21st century anyone can get themselves worked up into a frenzy over a drawing. Nobody was harmed in the production of these cartoons. If some Muslims have a superstitious rule against drawing their prophet, then they don’t have to draw him – but their rules don’t apply to anyone else. So rather than taking to the streets to vent their rage, they should sit down, make themselves a cup of tea, and concentrate on: 1) snapping out of it, and 2) growing up.
Hurrah for common sense! BTW how much is a one way ticket to Denmark?
Religious believers grow up!
What will you be suggesting next?
After all, if it wasn’t for their invisible friend (aka Big Sky Daddy) they’d fall down in a heap in their playpens.
Mentally, they are vicious, deluded children
This just shows that “believers” can make up any rules that they want and justify it as being god’s will. Therefore it must be adhered to. The many varieties of headscarf, jilbab, burka that exist indicate that the rules are just being made up by men here on earth. Unfortunately it is too easy to give in to their made up “rules” as they claim the moral and spiritual high ground. The days should be gone when civilised educated people turn a blind eye because something is done in the name of religion. Acceptance of rules about headscarves paves the way for acceptnace of more extreme “rules” like amputation, stoning and honour killings.
In a criminal court, the delusion that god wanted you to perform an antisocial act is usually an indication of mental instability. In broader society it is tolerated as whimsy and a “right” because the person suffering the delusion claims some sort of religious exemption.
It is then an easy progression to place yourself and your faith beyond criticism, as god is the one who justifies the whole system.
One day my kids will stop beleiving in Santa Claus. Why can’t these fools get an equally simple grasp on reality?
Slippery Jim,
RE Santa – I’m probably going to be roundly abused for this, but my 2-year old son has already been clearly informed that Father C. isn’t real (just a modern representation of an ancient mythical figure & a historical individual).
I know, “loss of innocence”, “hah! bumhug!”, etc. But as far as I’m concerned it’s just another form of lying to children (along with all the supernaturalism, talking animals, all forms of advertising, etc,etc), and lying to kids doesn’t fit into my personal ethics…
Cheers,
Andy the Bad Dad.