Question about the Cartoons

[mikeanike]

I'm taking an international relations class and my professor is a conservative! (To his credit he at least was up front w/ the class about it) But he said something yesterday that really got me cheezed. He said that democrats are afraid to talk about the mohammad cartoon issue. I know what your thinking: Bullshit! So with out much further ado...I bring you a new Islam Cartoon Post. I've read plenty from other posts but I need fodder for next week and what I've read so far was pretty informative. So I may use any info you guys might have. (I'm a budding democrat (from a conservative family) and I'm new to the site, so if I broke any rules please forgive me.)

[danalytical]

1. He may be right

If Dems in the spotlight go on TV defending the anger over the obviously provocative cartoons they will be hit hard on the issue of defending the violent reactions they caused. It's an issue that politically Democrats would be better off ignoring or coming down on the side of free speech, but disdain for the insulting cartoons.

[Greyhound]

2. I agree, they are afraid to talk about it. It is our shame that we allow

our leaders to duck issues for the sake of a potential perception that may cost votes.

[MrModerate]

3. My take on this is . . .

A mob is a mindless beast, so one should not interpret the rioters as representing the mind of Islam.

However, there is a passion in Islamic countries that I don't see in Western countries. One stark example: America's Muslims, while they are perhaps offended by the depiction of the Prophet in these cartoons, have not rioted; and when Christianists in America are offended by something, they tend not to turn to violence. And even when they do (bombing of abortion clinics, for instance) such acts earn the opprobrium of even the right-wing, anti-choice community.

Partly this has to do with the historical fact that Western countries have had to cope with and adapt to multiculturalism/multisectarianism to a much greater degree than Islamic countries. Multisectarianism tends to lead to tolerance. India is NOT (IMO) an exception to this rule, because despite the many many religions, you basically have two opposing religious forces in India which are in a very precarious balance, and so tolerance is less "reliable."

Also, I think you have an issue that many Islamic countries have despotic rulers, and so have weaker traditions of free expression.

As I recall from my comparative religion classes, as an infidel, my opinion of the Prophet is supposed to be completely irrelevant, and cannot even be considered blasphemous. This, for me, is the great shame that the rioters are heaping on Islam by their intolerance. I think they have done Islam a great disservice, hardening already hard hearts in the West, and reinforcing a million bad stereotypes.

Oh, and by the way, welcome to DU!

[rastaman]

4. I posted this in another thread...

But it felt so good to get off my chest I will post it again...with a little added

I am so sick of these god damn idiots. Kanye West is on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine posing as jesus christ. While there are complaints, of course, from many christians groups, I dont see any burning of flags or for that matter any burning of Rolling Stone magazines (some of which actually deserve to get burned for the horrible writing). Why is it Christians can “take it” yet muslims resort to violence? I am in no way a religious person but come on. I have seen funny buddhist cartoons, Christ in urine the list goes on and on. But just a few "offensive" drawings of mohamed and buildings are burned? Muslims are the most intolerant and hateful people on earth. Yet demand the most tolerance for their behavior and beliefs. Yes I said it!! These are cartoons. CARTOONS!!

Why are there no religiously pluralistic majority-muslim societies? You cant even bring a bible into Saudi Arabia.

Many seem afraid to say it but I think there is something seriously wrong with people who are pre-conditioned with this infantile violent reaction to every percieved slight. To the newspapers I say print more cartoons and to the "offended" get your superior feeling-cant take a joke-intolerant-bigoted-14th century-terrorist breeding-racist-envious-immature-religious hogwash out of my face!!

PS And if you knew why they were drawn originally you would find the reaction to them even more outrageous.

[mikeanike]

5. interesting

I'm not one to denigrate Muslims, (not saying you are either)I have neither the depth of knowledge nor the desire to. But I do agree that the reactions coming from the Muslim world are over the top. I'm not sure if many people on DU agree with this sentiment though... if we do though what should we do about it? I've seen the power of this forum in the past (long time reader, new to the forum though) and I know the collective strength of the men and women of this site can make a difference. Should we get our leaders to stand with the Danish? If so how would that play politically? Bush today (I think) has come out in solidarity with them and I feel this is one of those issues where coming out on the same side as the president would actually work in our favor. It puts a hole in the repub arguments of "obstructionist" and "soft on defense" as well as send a message to the country that we care about freedom of speech and that politics will never get in the way.