This post keeps disappearing. Ill repeat it in slightly different terms: Mostly all my friends are Muslim, very few American, even fewer Jewish. Those who are observant Muslims, sincerely devoted, speak to the question of free speech and the Charlie Hebdo cover(s) based on the conviction of their faith. I never questioned their sincerity but having been raised and educated to rely on rational discourse supported by documentation for any argument, I now realize that I cannot continue an exchange when the other person is speaking based on faith. Obviously. One cannot reason with faith-based statements. They are either accepted or rejected. Ive been on both sides of the East-West divide. The photos below are the same woman. I will not argue freedom of speech as I know it with those who define freedom in terms of their faith and not the law of the land, not the concept, not the development of its history, not the implications of its enforcement. I only wish that Muslim countries had the same exposure to genuine freedom that I did. At least wed be starting from the same point.
Posted on: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 02:27:18 +0000