With all due respect, Chris...

Submitted by J.S. (Canada), May 1, 2006 at 16:32

I suspect you may be approaching this issue as a Christian...not as an Islamist...and, I believe, there's a huge difference. The whole point about the "Mr. Mo cartoons" with regard to Islam -- it's not about "the humour" or the "no humour" in the cartoons -- it's not about whether or not "Is it hate literature??" -- it's not about "free speech" as the West understands the terms: "free speech" -- the whole point from an Islamist perspective is this -- Do non-Muslims have the "right" to ridicule Mr. Mo? This is a power issue. Ok?

The "prophet" can NOT be depicted in pictures (for Muslims) ...NO IMAGES are allowed -- his "life story" from the point of view of "historical realism" CANNOT be told -- you can ONLY tell the story from a religious-awe-struck point of view...Do you understand this? It's not like J.C. or inquiries into the "life and times" of Christ.

AND, what's happening in Canada -- is that this self-censorship -- this "hands off" approach -- this "YOU DARE not touch the holy prophet!!" -- "His image is just TOO sacred!!" -- is (as with Muslims) being repeated EVERYWHERE -- whether it's by the CBC, the newspapers, the movies, the courts, the universities, etc., etc. I find it sickening...Raise a thought about Mr. Mo as a mere mortal, as a human, and you'll be labelled a "blasphemer." This is the state of affairs in Canada...Right now in Alberta there's a tribunal to investigate whether or not the re-publication of the Danish Mr. Mo cartoons constitutes "hate literature." Now, does this strike you as "odd"?? Does this strike you as troubling?? Where is "free speech" in Canada??

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