People seem to make fun of Christians and Christianity more readily than they do of Muslims and Islam. Is this a sign of anti-Christian or pro-Islam bias? Perhaps - but there are also other possible reasons for the self-censorship. Islam doesn't seem to have the same tradition of humor about religion... but there is a tradition of violence against those who engage in humor about religion.
The Telegraph reports:
"In portraying Muslims they have held back, they have censored themselves, they are timid," [Lord Dubs, chairman of the Broadcasting Standards Commission] said. "I have seen them pour scorn on Christianity more than on other religions. Christianity is an easier and more acceptable target followed, to a lesser extent, by Jews and Hindus." ... "There is much more sensitivity to disturbing Islam," [Rev Richard Holloway, the former Bishop of Edinburgh and a member of the BSC board] said. "It is partly because the Muslim community does not have a tradition of humour about religion, although Christian leaders will stand up for things that are fundamentally important."
I suspect that Halloway's analysis is probably accurate. In Britain, satire about religion and religious leaders has a long tradition, but that's always been satire involving Christianity. People are used to it, and while they may object if the satire gets too extreme, they would also object if anyone tried to stop the satire from happening at all. Leaders of other religions may not have the same traditions - satirical criticisms of their beliefs may not be accepted with the same equanimity.
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Actually there are a few people (us, Towelians!) who make fun of Islam everyday!
Check us out:
http://www.towelian.com
perhaps “behead those who insult islam” spoken by so many demonstrators during the mohammad cartoons controversy, is a deterrent