Permission denied

Submitted by Edward Cline (United States), Oct 19, 2010 at 19:18

Joan Neel: It is permissible to mock Jesus, Christianity, and even Judaism and other icons and creeds, because in this country, church and state have been separated and the laws that protect free speech are secular laws, not religious ones. In fact, I recently made a point in one of my commentaries that people of faith can live together in this country without strife or violent conflict because of secular law. I am an atheist, but I suppose that if people of faith are strong in their religious convictions, they won't be much bothered by the mockery. They are free to ignore it. And most do.

But, when it comes to Islam, mockery of it causes not so much "public outrage" as it does outrage in Islamic spokesmen and promises to commit homicide from Islamic "soldiers." On one hand, this could be the reaction of individuals who are not so sure of the truth of their creed and so are supersensitive to any criticism, sober or jocular. On the other hand, Islam is more a totalitarian ideology dressed in the vestments of religion. It governs all aspects of Muslim life, from diet to marriage to charity to dealing with non-Muslim infidels. It is especially condemnatory on apostates. It brooks no questioning or doubt. Criticism in any form implies questions or doubt of the soundness or ethics of Mohammad's verities.

That is why it is not permissible to speak one word against Islam. But – try and stop me. I need no man's or government's permission. I am a free man, and will say what I choose to say about Islam.

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