Osama's got the Sword of Allah now, we're definitely done for

fett on 22/6/2007 at 21:08

Quote Posted by Shayde

In their minds they are defending their beliefs, and I'd like to think that if I had any beliefs of my own I'd have the conviction to voice my displeasure when they are being maligned. As long as they don't actually implement plans of murder/torture/bombings/whatthefuckever it's pointless reacting to them.

Re-read, then post again. Use the edit button if necessary.

DaveW on 22/6/2007 at 21:19

Quote:

which says it is working for religious harmony

And commending the guy who is widely accepted to be the starter of the War On Terrorism stuff after 9/11 is a good way to do this? These people are so childish, reasoning it "You knighted some guy so we're going to do the same!!!!" just proves how pathetic these people are. It's a pity that, as Martek said, they (Islamic extremists) resort to violence to force their opinion on others.

Thirith on 22/6/2007 at 21:31

Quote Posted by Shayde

These Muslims are doing a hundred times the damage to their faith that Rushdie ever did. The Satanic Verses is critical of Islam, but at the same time it is more respectful of religious feelings (if not organised religion) that most if not all of what he wrote after the fatwa.

When Christian fundamentalists lobbied against The Last Temptation of Christ, they did so mainly because of a scene where Jesus is shown to have sex with Mary Magdalene. Never mind that the scene was part of a scenario presented to the crucified Christ by Satan. Do the fundies think that Satan would stick to nicely PG-rated temptations? The Muslim indignation at Rushdie's novel is largely similar, as it is based on naive, ignorant readings of the novel - or, more accurately, on what the religious leaders tell their followers. Few of them have ever bothered to read the novel, and those who do usually have more intelligent things to say than what fits onto a neat little placard.

Shayde on 23/6/2007 at 09:17

I have read The Satanic Verses, but there is now way that I can understand the Muslim reaction to it - because I am not Muslim.

And I honestly don't see why I should be more upset over Muslim reactions than those of everyone else. Almost all major religions have at some point committed atrocities in the name of their beliefs and yet everyone turns a blind eye to the culpability of their own group and turns against the 'other'.

Surely we should accept everyone's right to voice their displeasure and condemn everyone's violent reactions equally?

redface on 23/6/2007 at 10:40

I'd say these guys are still somewhat stuck in the medieval times, their religion just doesn't evolve. Sure, Christianity and other religions had it's dark age(s) too, there was a lot of violence and killing for beliefs, but that attitude is long gone. Maybe the radical Muslims should finally grow up and face the modern times. :rolleyes:

Thirith on 23/6/2007 at 11:26

Quote Posted by Shayde

And I honestly don't see why I should be more upset over Muslim reactions than those of everyone else. Almost all major religions have at some point committed atrocities in the name of their beliefs and yet everyone turns a blind eye to the culpability of their own group and turns against the 'other'.

Surely we should accept everyone's right to voice their displeasure and condemn everyone's violent reactions equally?

Thanks for all that simplicity - because no Christian (for instance) has ever condemned the Crusades or the Spanish Inquisition, or the cowardly official actions of the Catholic Church during WW2.

Yes, people have a right to voice their displeasure, but others have an equal right to point out how and why these people are silly. Much of the Muslim protest against The Satanic Verses comes out of ignorance, just like much of the Christian protest against The Last Temptation of Christ. There is such a thing as reasoned, intelligent protest, and then there's the simple parroting of what your leaders tell you and the unwillingness to use your own brain.

I will gladly accept the protesters' right to complain against Rushdie's knighting, but I do not have to respect the protest or the protesters. When they can come up with an actual argument that isn't founded in willful ignorance (and this would be possible, as a number of intelligent Muslim critics and commentators showed back when the Verses came out), then I'll start to respect the protesters.

Thief13x on 23/6/2007 at 12:49

Quote Posted by driver

I wonder if these people realise how utterly fucking childish they've made themselves look?

OMFG....taliBANNED!

Aircraftkiller on 23/6/2007 at 23:51

Quote:

Surely we should accept everyone's right to voice their displeasure and condemn everyone's violent reactions equally?

Sure! Let's start by condemning these Muslims, then we'll work on the Crusades etc that happened hundreds of years ago.