Ok, Ive seen a bunch of people wonder on facebook if it wouldnt be a good idea to not republish Charlie Hebdos or others Mohammed caricatures, you know, for peace and harmony, and to prevent pushing moderate sunnis in an extremists direction by alienating them. The problem with this assumption is, once again, a fundamental misunderstanding, both on the part of the would-be alienated muslims, and the people making the suggestion, as to the nature of respecting their religion and culture. Sunni Islam forbids depictions of the Prophet and of God, fair enough. Our culture does not forbid these things. If we respect that Sunni Islam forbids depictions of the Prophet, we do so by not forcing Sunnis to depict their prophet. THAT is how we respect their position on this matter. In return, we expect that they respect OUR position on this matter, and not force us to NOT depict their prophet. Them demanding that we not depict their prophet in caricatures because their religion demands it is equivalent to us demanding that they do depict their prophet, despite their ban, because we dont have the ban... This is a matter of principles, we must be able to live by our principles and ideas, and the matter is non-negotiable. Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. - Benjamin Franklin.
Posted on: Fri, 09 Jan 2015 21:07:50 +0000