The 'sphere is abuzz over the Muslim cartoon fracas with many of those I usually agree with deciding that they too would like to do what they can to incite the Islamists. If you're not sure what I'm talking about, head over to Michelle's place and become informed.
Although I think the actions that many Muslims are taking over this is extreme, although I can hardly understand why some would be willing to kill, maim, destroy, etc over mere cartoons, I think it to be simply wrong to intentionally do what many of my like-minded brethren are doing.
I think The Anchoress' son Buster has thoughtfully summed it up for me:
Yesterday, I mentioned to Buster that France was standing up to the Muslim death-threaters and printing the Danish cartoons which some Islamists find offensive. Buster observed, rightly, that the first time France stood up for anything in decades, they were standing up for their right to mock what others find sacred. “Quite an impressive move on the part of France,” he declared, “‘we will fight for nothing but our right to disdain you…‘”
Smart kid. He’s quite right.
He is quite right. And so I won't join the the throngs who are quick to join in the disdaining by posting the cartoons and I tend to agree (probably for the first time) with our State Department:
The U.S. State Department has condemned the decision of newspapers in Denmark and elsewhere in Europe for publishing cartoon drawings depicting the prophet Muhammad, something that is offensive to Muslims.
State Department press officer Janelle Hironimus told reporters, 'Inciting religious or ethnic hatred in this manner is not acceptable. We call for tolerance and respect for all communities and for their religious beliefs and practices.'
My belief that Islamofascists pose a grave danger that must be met head on is as strong today as it's ever been and extremist Muslims are adding fodder to that belief in reaction to what is taking place yet I don't think that belief gives me license to mock what others believe to be sacred.
So today I part ways with many I usually find myself nodding in agreement with and I do so with confidence.
And peace.
The lesser minds amongst us think that this furore is over some cartoons.
The relatively greater minds who differ from this all too common a view are also those who believe that the first European Instigated War (aka, WW 1) was not caused by the assasination of the Archduke and that every fuse draws its strength from the size of the keg.
Posted by: Inquisitor | Friday, February 03, 2006 at 11:00 PM
islam tries to get its way through intimidation. If you don't do what we want, we will kill you. In many ways this has historically been an effective tactic. It served Stalin well. Hitler used it. Any number of totalitarian regimes use it now. I am reading Amy Tan's "Saving Fish From Drowning", about Burma and its repressive intimidating government.
What sets islam apart is how intimidation is built into its dna. The koran tells its followers how to act, and that it is the will of allah. The problem: one who takes islam seriously, and tries to live by it, is dangerous to all in the vicinity who disagree with them. Peace comes only when all who disagree are dead, or agree to dhimmihood.
This simple act of drawing does have some similarity to that 1914 event. Both forced nations to choose sides. The tragedy is that earlier system was a one way trip to total war. No one understood what was about to happen. Today we stand at another such event. Followers of mohamed, must choose:
Death; by following the koran.
Life; by learning to live with those who disagree with them.
They must choose. Peace, or Wretchard's third conjecture.
America does not intimidate, or is it intimidated. We seek peace, but we are prepared. Like John Wayne, we finish the fight. We offer the olive branch, or the arrows of war.
Posted by: Presbypoet | Saturday, February 04, 2006 at 02:33 PM
Freedom of the press only works well in Christian based societies. The press has grown so accustomed to berating Christ and His followers they assume all others must or will endure their putrid arrogance. Christ can be presented as a womanizer, homosexual, failed idealist with Judas screaming in His face that He let things go too far, etc. etc. etc...
For Christ, patient endurance is a sign of strength, "It is okay...be at peace my child..." as the darts are thrown.
XtnYoda Shalomed
Posted by: XtnYoda | Saturday, February 04, 2006 at 05:29 PM
Hi! Please consider posting the best Mohammad's cartoon ever. See it here http://samsonblinded.org/blog/a-cartoon-for-a-cartoon.htm
Posted by: Alex | Friday, June 29, 2007 at 05:02 PM