09-22-2012, 10:21 PM
(09-22-2012, 01:49 PM)Mohammed Wrote: There is one single thing that pisses these people off. And that is anything to do with their prophet. Trust me, I would be very surprised if any of those Jesus pics would originate here.
What is so difficult not to do it when you know exactly what's going to happen? I don't call that freedom, I call that some spastic who giggles from behind his safety far away trying to provoke. And trust me, the one doing it surely knows he is provoking as the end result always had been and will be the same.
I understand both points of view and agree that just because we can do something doesn't mean we always should. It's incredible to me that any satire, provocative or not, is used by some as justification to kill. But, freedom of expression is essential in minimizing the power of violent extremists looking to manipulate others with narrow goal-serving religious interpretations, oppression, and intolerance imo.
Is Daniel Pipes correct when he asserts that running Islamic satirical cartoons every day will desensitize Muslims to them and eventually reduce violent protests? IDK. Maybe some Muslims, but probably not the extremists and terrorists who likely spur others to act violently imo.
I found it interesting that after French Charlie Hebdo staunchly defended its decision to exercise free speech and run the Muhammed cartoons this week (in order to "laugh at all extremists, rather than to provoke"), the French Foreign Minister publicly disagreed (he shares your opinion). Foreign Minister Fabius declared:
"I am against all provocations, especially during a period as sensitive as this one. I do not see any usefulness in such provocation," he told the radio station France Info. "There must be freedom of speech, but I am absolutely opposed to any provocation."
Sincerely hoping that there are no violent acts after German Titanic releases its Islamaphobia edition next week.