What will offend next?

Submitted by Sidda (United States), Feb 7, 2006 at 13:59

I don't agree with gratuitous insult of anyone's religion or beliefs. Political cartoons, however, are generally provocative. They are meant to spark debate.

Aside from that fact, I agree with Dr. Pipes that what is at stake are our very freedoms. The freedom of the press, of expression, is at the very core of our Western civilization. If the Muslims are successful at intimidating Denmark and other countries over this cartoon issue, what will be next? Music, art, or maybe magazine photos that they find "offensive" and an "insult" to Islam? Where will it stop?

Why don't Muslims react so vociferously to those who are tarnishing their religion? Why don't they question where the cartoonists get their ideas for those cartoons? If I were a Muslim I would be more angry at those sawing off the heads of helpless, bound victims while screaming "Allahu Akbar." That's what I'd be hitting the streets over. They tell you Islam is a religion of peace, and if you criticize it, they will kill you. Unbelievable.

As for the "clash of cultures" my way of thinking is this: if I go to their lands, I respect their traditions and culture. If they come to Western lands, they should respect our way of doing things. If they cannot do that, then they need to leave for a country which shares their values and not expect the host country to change its core beliefs to accommodate them.

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