jchrisobrien (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
jchrisobrien) wrote2006-02-06 01:59 pm
jchrisobrien) wrote2006-02-06 01:59 pm
stupid cartoons, stupid protesters
The arrogance of the Muslim "world" continues to annoy me every time I hear about it. People are now starting to die in the protest rallies that are being held. Islam may forbid depictions of the prophet Mohammed, but that shouldn't stop people of other faiths from depicting him. Some of the pictures may be rude or offensive, and I'd be annoyed if I saw a picture of Jesus buggering a pig or the like, but I'm not going to demand the head of the cartoonist in return. Refusing to read the paper is completely legitimate. The whole thing is getting huge now: other European papers are reprinting the cartoons, more protests are occuring.
It's a case of a small group perverting a larger whole. Fundamentalist leaders whipping the crowds of people into a frenzy. Clerics hold a great deal of sway over their followers, and the climate of the world today continues to bolster the idea of a culture war between the Arabic world and the West. My hatred (such as it is) is really reserved for those clerics who lead the movement, who have no room in their dialogue for compromise or discourse. The mob is stupid for listening, but then again any touchy subject can start a fire that is easy to fan. I've lost track of the stories I've read on the Internet that provoked an extreme reaction, without taking the time to verify the source, or see whether is was a real news article or just a sensationalist nutjob.
That being said, if you say that your reglion gives you a mandate to attack the infidel, don't be surprised if someone draws a picture of your spiritual leader with a bomb in his turban.
It's a case of a small group perverting a larger whole. Fundamentalist leaders whipping the crowds of people into a frenzy. Clerics hold a great deal of sway over their followers, and the climate of the world today continues to bolster the idea of a culture war between the Arabic world and the West. My hatred (such as it is) is really reserved for those clerics who lead the movement, who have no room in their dialogue for compromise or discourse. The mob is stupid for listening, but then again any touchy subject can start a fire that is easy to fan. I've lost track of the stories I've read on the Internet that provoked an extreme reaction, without taking the time to verify the source, or see whether is was a real news article or just a sensationalist nutjob.
That being said, if you say that your reglion gives you a mandate to attack the infidel, don't be surprised if someone draws a picture of your spiritual leader with a bomb in his turban.
no subject
Well said. I wish more people had the insight and intelligence to realize this.
no subject
Same thing with Christianity: for every Mother Teresa, there are ten Pat Robinsons. The MT's are busy helping people and making the world a better place. The PR's are busy making money, acruing political power, and spreading hatred and fear over the airwaves.
no subject
Even the few pagan/magikal organizations I tried to take part in soon fell into the power/dogma/ego trip trap. God is all around us. In so many forms, guises, and emblems. So many blind themselves to seeing what is, IMHO in plain view. In most areas of life, I wish there was a greater ability by the majority to agree to disagree. Without the need for bloodshed, terror, and destruction. The moderates need to learn to be heard over the yells of the radicals.