I've struggled to find suitable words to describe my frustration over recent events. Finally I've found them and, although they are not mine, they voice my feelings perfectly.
"...have to accept that, in a democracy, religion, too, is open to criticism - this applies to Islam no less than to Christianity... In a democracy, those who want to defend themselves against this can go to court. Any other curtailment of free speech is inadmissible."
Nothing more, nothing less.
As someone who has chosen not to bring religion into my life -- and I am grateful to live in a culture which allows me that choice -- I find it hard to understand how people could come to have a blatant disregard for life, so little tolerance for the values and beliefs of others, in the name of something as abstract as theology.
I'm totally in sync with what you've said, it couldn't be said in simpler and more relevant words! Why's simplicity so complex a concept for us as mankind?
ReplyDeleteMohican
http://fnayyar.blogspot.com
Well said ... or in your case, quoted.
ReplyDeleteIt's the abuse of basic rights like that which is used as a pretext for the 'war on terror' by the Bush administration.
You just need to look at the (over)dramatic events of the Danish/Mohammed fiasco to see our fear to be portrayed as victimising the Islamic community. The fact that the British think they have something to feel guilty about sickens me. The public condemning of it by the government didn't help much either. Its about time they, the Islamic community, stopped sporting the victim card.