Muslims kick off over cartoons

[headlamp]

I have followed this thread from the moment it appeared and have refrained from replying till now. I wanted to guage the reaction of some of my Muslim friends who are not terrorists, religious fanatics or potential suicide bombers but normal hard working Brits, who happen to be Muslim and follow its traditions. Based on my survey (albeit three people ), one was offended, one was mildly offended and one couldn't give a sh*t. Extraploating further this thought - I suppose insulting Muhammed, for a Muslim is like calling a black person a name, or a Jew something. It's just not done here anymore (well it is but not in a newspaper & normally muttered under the breath). I think the newspapers have 'clouded' the issue by saying 'freedom of speech' where in fact they are being xenophobic....one thing that will happen is that it won't happen again. I'm all for a bit of Jokery about someone's race, creed, religion etc. but if it offends even those that are usually not bothered then there's no point in antagonising and upsetting them further.
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Using a mobile phone while driving a car should be made a capital offence!

[Spiral]

[Mister James]

[ian_s]

[Knowlsey]

So the cartoon depicts mohamad as a terrorist, so what exactly is the muslim populations response to that,,,,,,

pick up a gun, put a mask on, and threaten to blow people up

I REST MY CASE

[G]

I wonder, if it had been a joke about child abuse after the Soham case, if everyone would have had quite the same attitudes?

That is the case for a very small proportion of muslim society.

[Nath]

[plugger147]

[colin1]

ridiculing people who take offense may be allowed (according to freedom of speech ideals) but its not necessarily a good idea.

You might offend 30% of muslims, 5% of them might think about joining some hate-westerners club and 1% may try to go kill someone.

Isnt it easier not to go out to offend people in the first place ?

I dont go up to insecure violent maniacs and insult them to exercise my freedom of speech. Whats the point ?

I dont think ridiculing people shd be banned but thats no reason to do it.
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[G]

[Knowlsey]

[Mister James]

[Mister James]

[colin1]

Why go round challenging everything for the sake of it ? seems a bit pointless to me

if something is daft, or out of order or whatever, then challenge it, but i dont think those cartoons were challenging anything, they were just being provocative
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[ashley_46]

[Mister James]

[Spiral]

[Mister James]

We believe in freedom of speech, because if speech is controlled, debate and opinion is controlled.
If a government or religion can censor what is said and printed, the people lose their right to form,hold and express whatever beliefs they choose.

It appears that many spokesmen for the muslim and arab world do not agree with us in this matter.

[headlamp]

Interesting points but....

Siggi: Being a cynical old bastard, a bit like yourself, I agree with you about religion - absolutely loved the 'wizard in the sky' reference. Unfortunately the mass of people that live on this planet lead such 'terrible' lives that by praying to a 'wizard' gives them some solace as they can't figure it out for themselves. BUT you have to accept that the large morass of humanity are dumb and believe in some sh*t or another.I have to live on the same planet as these poor people. Personally, rather than be an outcast (I am not suggesting for one moment that you are), I personally 'go with the flow' and respect/humour/whatever others (generally) misguided (IMHO) beliefs about mainstream religion.

Mister James: You have too much of a stereotypical view of Muslims. They are not all mysonigistic, God fearing fundamentalists, but there is a line and I think the newspapers in Denmark & France crossed it. It would be like The Daily Mail in this country saying Tony Blair is controlled by a Zionist conspiracy and showing a cartoon caricature of a Jew with a big nose.
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Using a mobile phone while driving a car should be made a capital offence!

[killa]

[getyerkneedow...]

[mchaggis]

So the Europeans are the only non-arab countries which support the Palestinians. Now many of the Middle Eastern countries have taken umbrage at one single cartoonist in Denmark and are boycotting European and Danish goods. I even heard mention of an 'International Day of Anger'! Talk about burning your bridges...

I suppose something of an equivalent would be an Italian or Irish newspaper portraying Protestants as a bunch of baby-murdering abortionists. There would be plenty of people het up under the collar about that, but nothing like what you get nowadays from many Muslims. They have got a point though, much media coverage is devoted to demonising them, that cartoon is just an extension of what a lot of people think anyway.

If I might stick my oar in, I'd say it's something to do with the relatively backwards nature of many of the middle eastern countries in terms of their political institutions, general education, wealth etc. Religion finds a niche especially among the poor and disadvantaged, unlike the 'West' where not a huge number of people take it seriously anymore.
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I must not be a troll...
Mmmm, Guinness
Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush.

[MattyB]

i'm disgusted by the racism showed in this thread.

regardless of the first post, they may or may not be over-reacting.



but holy fucking shit. you sound like ignorant racist cocksuckers.

my ex-girlfriend was muslim, my best mate is muslim (converted after his mother died and he hit rock bottom.), and i read shit like they should die, they're all bastards, they're 'savages', etc etc


deeply offended.

[getyerkneedow...]

[8316]