.... To all those who proclaim bafflement at the actions of those punishing Badawi with such gross barbarity, the answer can only be that it is being done to remind Muslims that they should fear and respect Islam. This cruelty to Badawi is a cruelty to all Muslims, who are being exhorted to fear nothing more than the temptation to start thinking for themselves.
.... One thing that has emerged in the wake of the Paris killings is the large degree to which westerners do respect the idea that Muhammad should not be represented figuratively. Before the cartoonists at Charlie Hebdo were slaughtered, their own provocations were not widely encouraged or reprinted. [550 comments]
[TOP RATED COMMENT 459 votes] "One thing that has emerged in the wake of the Paris killings is the large degree to which westerners do respect the idea that Muhammad should not be represented figuratively."
This is utter, utter rubbish; the vast majority of Westerners, either publicly or privately, want Muslims to take their religion and its repressive diktats, and do something unnatural with the lot.
I have no compunction at all with drawing pictures of Mohammed. Muslims are not allowed to draw images of Mohammed, but I am not a Muslim, and will give no more credence to Islamic scripture than I do the works of L. Ron Hubbard, or those of JRR Tolkien, or any other work of fiction for that matter.
[SECOND 445] "One thing that has emerged in the wake of the Paris killings is the large degree to which westerners do respect the idea that Muhammad should not be represented figuratively"
No - this is wrong - it has finally woken many up to the fact that medieval, fascisitic types are using their 'offence' to impinge upon our liberty.
If you are a Muslim don't read the effing thing.
If you are Saudi then change the system of government. The problem is the only real opposition is even more religiously fanatical than the ruling family.
The problem is the religion.
[THIRD 322] "This cruelty to Badawi is a cruelty to all Muslims, who are being exhorted to fear nothing more than the temptation to start thinking for themselves."
It is difficult for us in the West to appreciate that a large proportion of Muslims do not want to let go of their mediaeval beliefs.
The imposition of Sharia law is popular not just in SA or other parts of the ME, but also among many Muslims living in the West.
Hence the upset about the ludicrous concept of 'blasphemy' and demands to curtail our freedom of expression.
[FOURTH 310] I have every sympathy for those Muslims who are open and understanding towards homosexuals, who treat men and women in broadly the same way, who would happily allow their daughters to marry the sons of their non-Muslim friends, and who don't bat an eyelid at criticism of their religion.
That is to say, I have sympathy with those Muslims who are not actually Muslims. [Guardian Cif] Read more
