Writing from Scandanavia, Mark Steyn has weighed in on some of our most recent debates about reconciling free expression with Islamic sensitivities. From the Gainesville pastor to the disappearance of Molly Norris, he addresses issues that have been discussed and debated on this blog.
You may know that the Canadian Human Rights commission tried, unsuccessfully, to shut Steyn up. He was accused of defaming Muslims. He has taken sustenance from the battle, and as always, is well worth a read: Link here.
I don't see it as authentic "freedom of expression" since before Muslims became front and center in the News, nobody was out burning Qurans or drawing pics.
ReplyDeleteIt's attention whoring plain and simple.
I'm not pro-Abrahamic religions, but since I've never taken an interest in them previously in either a positive or negative way, I'm not going to start now.
My freedom of expression is not defined viz a viz Islam or the other Abrahamic faiths.
Actually, there have been drawings of the Prophet Mohammed in the history of western art. It is only recently that Muslim extremists have felt bold enough to punish the people who did it. People who had nothing to do with their religion.
ReplyDeleteMaybe blasphemy is attention whoring, but it also seems to be an expression of an opinion. People may find that opinion repulsive, but is that a reason to murder the people who express it?
I see depictions of Mohammed almost every time I'm on the internet, yet none of these artists or the bloggers that showcase their work are dropping off left, right and center.
ReplyDeleteIn India the Christians are the ones who have to be appeased via banning movies and scientific documentaries
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=lost+tomb+of+jesus+banned&aq=f
Clearly, those who wish to ban images of the Prophet Mohammed have lost out to the free market of the internet.
ReplyDeleteThat is one reason why they hate the modern world.
I assume that they threaten certain selected people because they want to use them as a warning to anyone who would dare blaspheme their Prophet or speak ill of their religion.
There are more than a few people in positions of power in this country who are simply afraid to speak ill of Islam.