Danish Cartoons of Muhammad: Free Speech vs. Submission to Religion
Extremist Muslims have rioted, burned embassies, engaged in economic boycotts, offered bounties for murder, and called for the death of anyone who slanders Islam. Allegedly respectable and moderate Muslims have called for and end to free speech protections for anything that insults or defames religions, especially Islam. What caused all this? Twelve satirical cartoons in a Danish newspaper. This is a battle between free speech rights and demands for deference & submission to religious beliefs.
Danish TV: Competition to Mock Muhammad
Not content with the original dozen cartoons of Muhammad, the Danish People's party launched a competition for people to draw even more cartoons - but this group was to be deliberately humiliating and hurtful if possible. A video was created of the competition and the Danish state TV aired some of the footage. So who will receive death threats: the TV station or the political party?
Not content with the original dozen cartoons of Muhammad, the Danish People's party launched a competition for people to draw even more cartoons - but this group was to be deliberately humiliating and hurtful if possible. A video was created of the competition and the Danish state TV aired some of the footage. So who will receive death threats: the TV station or the political party?
Priest Charged in Bomb Threat Against Madonna
Christians in Europe are becoming increasingly crazy over Madonna's controversial concert. Even a priest in Amsterdam has been arrested in a bomb threat made against Madonna. Fortunately it was a fake bomb threat, but this doesn't change the fact that it was a priest threatening violence in order to achieve a change in public behavior because mere persuasion wasn't enough.
Christians in Europe are becoming increasingly crazy over Madonna's controversial concert. Even a priest in Amsterdam has been arrested in a bomb threat made against Madonna. Fortunately it was a fake bomb threat, but this doesn't change the fact that it was a priest threatening violence in order to achieve a change in public behavior because mere persuasion wasn't enough.
Where are the Right-Wing Defenses of Madonna?
Conservatives in America, and especially religious conservatives, made a big deal about defending the right of newspapers in Europe to print the Danish cartoons of Muhammad which offended Muslims. Some arguably even went overboard in their defenses. For some reason, though, the same people aren't saying much in defense of Madonna's new concert show which offends Christians.
Conservatives in America, and especially religious conservatives, made a big deal about defending the right of newspapers in Europe to print the Danish cartoons of Muhammad which offended Muslims. Some arguably even went overboard in their defenses. For some reason, though, the same people aren't saying much in defense of Madonna's new concert show which offends Christians.
'Lying Imam' Incites Burning Danish Flag, Then Hides Behind It
Ahmed Akkari, a Muslim immigrant to Denmark - described by some as one of the 'lying imams' who added fake Muhammad cartoons to the original set in order to stir up resentment and violence in the Middle East - has been saved by the same degenerate and godless Westerners he attacked. He and his family have been evacuated from Lebanon by the same Danish embassy burned by rioters.
Ahmed Akkari, a Muslim immigrant to Denmark - described by some as one of the 'lying imams' who added fake Muhammad cartoons to the original set in order to stir up resentment and violence in the Middle East - has been saved by the same degenerate and godless Westerners he attacked. He and his family have been evacuated from Lebanon by the same Danish embassy burned by rioters.
Mocking Beliefs is an Important Public Service
One of the central complaints made by Muslims who protested and even rioted against the Danish cartoons of Muhammad is that the drawings mocked their religious beliefs and that religious beliefs should never be mocked like that. Other religious believers have made similar claims, but they are all wrong. Religion and religious beliefs should not be exempt from mocking.
One of the central complaints made by Muslims who protested and even rioted against the Danish cartoons of Muhammad is that the drawings mocked their religious beliefs and that religious beliefs should never be mocked like that. Other religious believers have made similar claims, but they are all wrong. Religion and religious beliefs should not be exempt from mocking.
Borders, Waldenbooks Sacrifice Free Speech to Muslim Terrorism
The April-May issue of Free Inquiry publishes the controversial Danish cartoons of Muhammad, something that is sure to annoy some people. Unfortunately, many won't even know about this because Border Books & Music and Waldenbooks are refusing to carry this issue of the magazine. It's not because they find the cartoons objectionable, but rather because they are afraid of possible violence.
The April-May issue of Free Inquiry publishes the controversial Danish cartoons of Muhammad, something that is sure to annoy some people. Unfortunately, many won't even know about this because Border Books & Music and Waldenbooks are refusing to carry this issue of the magazine. It's not because they find the cartoons objectionable, but rather because they are afraid of possible violence.
Daily Illini? Daily Cowards: Editor Fired by Email Over Cartoons
Acton Gorton was the editor of the Daily Illini who chose to publish some of the Danish cartoons of Muhammad. He was almost immediately suspended and even before this he guessed he would probably be fired. Turns out he was right - and the cowards couldn't even do it to his face, they had to use email.
Acton Gorton was the editor of the Daily Illini who chose to publish some of the Danish cartoons of Muhammad. He was almost immediately suspended and even before this he guessed he would probably be fired. Turns out he was right - and the cowards couldn't even do it to his face, they had to use email.
Religious Biases in Danish Cartoon Debate
One of the arguments made against the publication of the Danish cartoons of Muhammad is that they portray all Muslims as terrorists when, in fact, suicide bombers aren't 'true' Muslims in the first place. This argument relies upon a strong religious bias: the bias that religion can only be good, so therefore violent religious believers aren't really religious after all. That's wrong.
One of the arguments made against the publication of the Danish cartoons of Muhammad is that they portray all Muslims as terrorists when, in fact, suicide bombers aren't 'true' Muslims in the first place. This argument relies upon a strong religious bias: the bias that religion can only be good, so therefore violent religious believers aren't really religious after all. That's wrong.
The Rushdie Affair: Why were Muslims Outraged over The Satanic Verses?
The Muslim outrage of the Danish cartoons about Muhammad echoes the outrage expressed over the publication of Salman Rushdie's book Satanic Verses. Then, too, Muslims rioted and called for the murder of those who dared to offended Muslim beliefs. Even today, apologists continue to try to excuse the awful and at times barbaric behavior done in the name of Islam.
The Muslim outrage of the Danish cartoons about Muhammad echoes the outrage expressed over the publication of Salman Rushdie's book Satanic Verses. Then, too, Muslims rioted and called for the murder of those who dared to offended Muslim beliefs. Even today, apologists continue to try to excuse the awful and at times barbaric behavior done in the name of Islam.
Freedom of Expression and Poking Fun at Religion
Protecting freedom of expression and speech is absolutely critical for freedom in a liberal democratic society. When freedom of expression is not protected, the result is oppression and tyranny. Should poking fun at religion be allowed, though? Should the media be able to insult religious beliefs? Absolutely - religion and religious beliefs don't merit special deference not accorded to others.
Protecting freedom of expression and speech is absolutely critical for freedom in a liberal democratic society. When freedom of expression is not protected, the result is oppression and tyranny. Should poking fun at religion be allowed, though? Should the media be able to insult religious beliefs? Absolutely - religion and religious beliefs don't merit special deference not accorded to others.
All the News that Halal
Few developments in the modern American media have been as depressing as how newspapers and television news programs have fallen all over themselves to avoid reproducing the Danish cartoons of Muhammad in order to avoid 'offending' people who might riot and murder when they are offended. What will happen once the American media allows itself to be controlled by religious dogmas and hate?
Few developments in the modern American media have been as depressing as how newspapers and television news programs have fallen all over themselves to avoid reproducing the Danish cartoons of Muhammad in order to avoid 'offending' people who might riot and murder when they are offended. What will happen once the American media allows itself to be controlled by religious dogmas and hate?
Muslim Reactions to Rushdie, Muhammad Cartoons: Assertion of Rights?
Do Muslims have a right to be offended by Salman Rushdie's book Satanic Verses or the Muhammad cartoons? Of course. Do they have a right to insist that their feelings of offense become a reason for censoring material they don't like? Do they have a right not be offended? Of course not.
Do Muslims have a right to be offended by Salman Rushdie's book Satanic Verses or the Muhammad cartoons? Of course. Do they have a right to insist that their feelings of offense become a reason for censoring material they don't like? Do they have a right not be offended? Of course not.
Danish Cartoons of Muhammad: Summary of the Issues, Arguments, Violence, and Controversy
Extremist Muslims have rioted, burned embassies, engaged in economic boycotts, offered bounties for murder, and called for the death of anyone who slanders Islam. Allegedly respectable and moderate Muslims have called for and end to free speech protections for anything that insults or defames religions, especially Islam. What caused all this? Twelve satirical cartoons in a Danish newspaper. This is a battle between free speech rights and demands for deference & submission to religious beliefs.
Extremist Muslims have rioted, burned embassies, engaged in economic boycotts, offered bounties for murder, and called for the death of anyone who slanders Islam. Allegedly respectable and moderate Muslims have called for and end to free speech protections for anything that insults or defames religions, especially Islam. What caused all this? Twelve satirical cartoons in a Danish newspaper. This is a battle between free speech rights and demands for deference & submission to religious beliefs.
CAIR: No Free Speech Right to Defame Muhammad
Free speech rights in America are not absolute. There are lots of different restrictions on what a person might say. There are little to no restrictions when it comes to expressing actual ideas, though - they are broadly protected. That would end, though, if the Council on American-Islamic Relations got its way: they would apparently ban anything that "defames" religious figures like Muhammad.
Free speech rights in America are not absolute. There are lots of different restrictions on what a person might say. There are little to no restrictions when it comes to expressing actual ideas, though - they are broadly protected. That would end, though, if the Council on American-Islamic Relations got its way: they would apparently ban anything that "defames" religious figures like Muhammad.
Egyptian Imam Calls for Worldwide Religious Tyranny
s Islam compatible with democracy and freedom? The answer to this should be 'yes,' but when top Muslim religious leaders call for worldwide tyranny on the basis of religious sensibilities, it's difficult to regard that answer as sufficient. On the contrary, 'no' becomes a stronger response, especially given the failure of moderate Muslims to offer vocal disagreement.
s Islam compatible with democracy and freedom? The answer to this should be 'yes,' but when top Muslim religious leaders call for worldwide tyranny on the basis of religious sensibilities, it's difficult to regard that answer as sufficient. On the contrary, 'no' becomes a stronger response, especially given the failure of moderate Muslims to offer vocal disagreement.
Using Violence: People are Afraid to Criticize Islam
An important, and probably deliberate, consequence of all the violence perpetrated by Mulims in reaction to the Danish political cartoons is that people will become even more afraid to criticize Islam. The cartoonists are already in hiding; who else will voluntarily subject themselves to that sort of thing now?
An important, and probably deliberate, consequence of all the violence perpetrated by Mulims in reaction to the Danish political cartoons is that people will become even more afraid to criticize Islam. The cartoonists are already in hiding; who else will voluntarily subject themselves to that sort of thing now?
Muslims Call for Critics to be Exterminated
Many Muslims feel that a series of cartoons published last year in a Danish newspaper were insulting to Islam generally and Muhammad specifically. They object to being depicted as violent terrorists. Their reaction, naturally enough, has been to encourage violence and engage in terrorist acts. That will teach Western media to tell the truth about Islam, right?
Many Muslims feel that a series of cartoons published last year in a Danish newspaper were insulting to Islam generally and Muhammad specifically. They object to being depicted as violent terrorists. Their reaction, naturally enough, has been to encourage violence and engage in terrorist acts. That will teach Western media to tell the truth about Islam, right?
Anti-Muslims Cartoons Connected to Atheism?
Was the publication of the cartoons which launched riots among Muslims the result of atheism? That seems too incredible to believe, but it's exactly the impression that some are trying to spread. Perhaps they hope to get conservative Christians to associate the cartoons with their own negative feelings about atheism and thereby acquire support for Muslim objections to the cartoons' publication.
Was the publication of the cartoons which launched riots among Muslims the result of atheism? That seems too incredible to believe, but it's exactly the impression that some are trying to spread. Perhaps they hope to get conservative Christians to associate the cartoons with their own negative feelings about atheism and thereby acquire support for Muslim objections to the cartoons' publication.
Western Cowards Say: Religions Should Never Be Insulted
Freedom of speech and freedom of personal expression are fundamental rights in the West - rights upon many other of our rights may be said to rest. Today, unfortunately, we are seeing Western leaders back away from freedom of speech in favor of supporting those who advocate murder and destruction whenever they feel insulted.
Freedom of speech and freedom of personal expression are fundamental rights in the West - rights upon many other of our rights may be said to rest. Today, unfortunately, we are seeing Western leaders back away from freedom of speech in favor of supporting those who advocate murder and destruction whenever they feel insulted.
More on Free Speech vs. Islam in Denmark
Last month I wrote about assaults on the principle of free speech in Denmark as people assail the right of a newspaper to print editorial cartoons critical of Islam. Jordan has called for the cartoonist to be punished and international organizations continue to display a complete lack of respect for basic liberty.
Last month I wrote about assaults on the principle of free speech in Denmark as people assail the right of a newspaper to print editorial cartoons critical of Islam. Jordan has called for the cartoonist to be punished and international organizations continue to display a complete lack of respect for basic liberty.
Free Speech & Criticism: Some Muslims Just Don't Get It
The controversy over Danish political cartoons continues to get worse. Someone has created an interesting blog designed to gather opinions from various perspectives, Freedom of Speech.dk. The question is, will people be able to learn from it? In particular, will Muslims be able to learn that others have a right to do things forbidden in Islam and which Muslims may not like?
The controversy over Danish political cartoons continues to get worse. Someone has created an interesting blog designed to gather opinions from various perspectives, Freedom of Speech.dk. The question is, will people be able to learn from it? In particular, will Muslims be able to learn that others have a right to do things forbidden in Islam and which Muslims may not like?
Islam, Denmark, and Free Speech
To what extent should everyone in society avoid saying or doing anything that might offend the religious sensibilities of others? Most would probably agree that gratuitously impolite behavior should be avoided, but at the same time free speech and democracy require that we be able to make arguments or advance ideas that might offend some.
To what extent should everyone in society avoid saying or doing anything that might offend the religious sensibilities of others? Most would probably agree that gratuitously impolite behavior should be avoided, but at the same time free speech and democracy require that we be able to make arguments or advance ideas that might offend some.