After today's killings in Libya at the American Embassy, there is question whether violence is on the rise in the Middle East-- is it an issue of Religion? Check out the article.
You know, this is the kind of stuff that makes me have zero sympathy for countries where this kind of violence is prevalent. I think the people that riot in the streets because of a cartoon played in jest or a (fully justified) criticism of their religion need to take a good step back and think about what they're doing. I mean, how often in the western world do we see television shows, movies, and various public speakers (be it a comedian, news pundit, or other public figure)not only openly dispute with and criticize Christianity (The most common religion in the western world)but just as often make jokes and comedy sketches satirizing it? When popular animated comedy Family Guy includes a sketch in which a revived Jesus Christ teams up with Chris Tucker in an attempt to get revenge on those who crucified him in a highly played-for-laughs summer action flick entitled Passion of the Christ 2: Crucify This (The trailer for which features Jesus being offered a marijuana joint by Tucker), nobody riots in the streets because Seth Macfarlane and the gang bastardized their lord and saviour. When the same show features Jesus seated to dinner with the Griffin family, performing "miracles" such as turning Peter's boring dinner into an ice cream sundae, or enlarging his wife's breasts, the audience at home is expected to laugh and take these depictions in good taste, knowing that the creators of the show were simply trying to make a joke, not attack the viewer's beliefs.
If those examples aren't "controversial" enough, how about on South Park where Jesus is depicted using knives and firearms to kill two middle-eastern "terrorists." I fail to recall the religious uprising that caused among western Christians. Because do you know what the average, logical thinker does when somebody makes a stupid joke about their beliefs? they say "screw you" and ignore them. They don't threaten to (or actually go ahead and) kill people. This is a little thing we in the civilized world like to call "Not taking things so seriously." If these people who get so offended by some stupid joke cartoon from some publication nobody has ever heard of would just stop looking for excuses to be angry at people,or better yet, just ignore it when this kind of satirical material is published, then maybe there'd be less of this pointless violence happening every day.
As much I believe that the reactions to the depiction of Muhammad were at times extreme, nowhere does it say in the bible that we cannot depict Jesus or give an indication that we know what he looks like. Infact, several churches have stained glass windows with him engrossed in them. Christians across the globe carry crosses around their necks and have depictions of him and other biblical figures throughout their homes, because that is THEIR religion, that is THEIR opinion. To Muslims this is a serious issue, they live day to day following each and every rule their religion has created because thats THEIR lifestyle, THEIR religion. What we don't seem to understand is this idea of respect for others and their customs. Just because to us this seems odd and unjust to create such an uproar over something that to us, is silly and insignifigant but who's to say that Muslims aren't thinking some of the things we do and say and create conflict over are insignifigant and unjust? We come from two very different areas of the world, we've grown up in completely different environments, yes the violence and protests got out of hand, I'm not arguing that because I agree entirely. But to get mad at them for having hurt feelings because WE did something wrong? Think how many times we've depicted Muhammed regardless? This is an ongoing occurance. If people weren't so ignorant and played the "blind eye" to issues that really do need our attention, these protests wouldn't have happened. There shouldn't be this "western world" and "eastern world" seperation. Last I checked, we were supposed to all be created equal, and equality means respect for everyone. It's sad that after how many years, we still do not understand this concept.
In my eyes I see that the Muslims had every right to feel upset, mad or hurt. Not only did we create a depiction of Muhammad, one of their most sacred gods who is never suppose to be drawn, but at times we even go as far to act as though the way they feel is insignificant. But in my eyes the way they acted out those feelings were wrong. I read both comments above and I can see each of them have valid points and opinions, but that’s exactly what the Muslims did isn’t it? They voiced or as we can see showed their opinion. It’s unfair of us to not expect them to be upset after they had to see the cartoon drawn of their god. I mean if we were in their position and saw that they had drawn some crude cartoon or made a video about Jesus or Christ would we not also get upset? Like Andrew said maybe we don’t always “take it seriously” but we also get upset at times don’t we? Here in Canada we grow up everyday seeing different individuals living each of their lives in different ways, and different RELIGIONS, but that is their CHOICE how they live THEIR LIVES, it’s not up to us how they chose to live. Just as it was the artist’s choice to draw the crude drawing and now they have to suffer the consequences that are following it now. I’m not saying I agree with how they handled the situation, but I believe that we do owe them an apology of sorts. I also think that maybe now because of this situation people should open their eyes a little. See how the choices they make everyday can affect others and the decisions they make. Isn’t that what they taught us in grade school? Treat others the way you wish to be treated? Well then we’ll have to be making changes. Another lesson they teach us is no matter our skin colour, race, gender or religion that we’re all the same. So instead of judging the way people act, or who are their gods are, we should just come to an understanding that no matter where in the world we live, we should accept the way each individual chooses to live the life they are given by their own ways, without worrying how others will see it in their own eyes.
Maybe Christian based violence doesn't get the same "air-time" as Islamic based violence in the Western World. Let's not forget the horrific mass murder in Norway last year, or the Hutaree group in the USA too!
You know, this is the kind of stuff that makes me have zero sympathy for countries where this kind of violence is prevalent. I think the people that riot in the streets because of a cartoon played in jest or a (fully justified) criticism of their religion need to take a good step back and think about what they're doing. I mean, how often in the western world do we see television shows, movies, and various public speakers (be it a comedian, news pundit, or other public figure)not only openly dispute with and criticize Christianity (The most common religion in the western world)but just as often make jokes and comedy sketches satirizing it? When popular animated comedy Family Guy includes a sketch in which a revived Jesus Christ teams up with Chris Tucker in an attempt to get revenge on those who crucified him in a highly played-for-laughs summer action flick entitled Passion of the Christ 2: Crucify This (The trailer for which features Jesus being offered a marijuana joint by Tucker), nobody riots in the streets because Seth Macfarlane and the gang bastardized their lord and saviour. When the same show features Jesus seated to dinner with the Griffin family, performing "miracles" such as turning Peter's boring dinner into an ice cream sundae, or enlarging his wife's breasts, the audience at home is expected to laugh and take these depictions in good taste, knowing that the creators of the show were simply trying to make a joke, not attack the viewer's beliefs.
ReplyDeleteIf those examples aren't "controversial" enough, how about on South Park where Jesus is depicted using knives and firearms to kill two middle-eastern "terrorists." I fail to recall the religious uprising that caused among western Christians. Because do you know what the average, logical thinker does when somebody makes a stupid joke about their beliefs? they say "screw you" and ignore them. They don't threaten to (or actually go ahead and) kill people. This is a little thing we in the civilized world like to call "Not taking things so seriously." If these people who get so offended by some stupid joke cartoon from some publication nobody has ever heard of would just stop looking for excuses to be angry at people,or better yet, just ignore it when this kind of satirical material is published, then maybe there'd be less of this pointless violence happening every day.
As much I believe that the reactions to the depiction of Muhammad were at times extreme, nowhere does it say in the bible that we cannot depict Jesus or give an indication that we know what he looks like. Infact, several churches have stained glass windows with him engrossed in them. Christians across the globe carry crosses around their necks and have depictions of him and other biblical figures throughout their homes, because that is THEIR religion, that is THEIR opinion. To Muslims this is a serious issue, they live day to day following each and every rule their religion has created because thats THEIR lifestyle, THEIR religion. What we don't seem to understand is this idea of respect for others and their customs. Just because to us this seems odd and unjust to create such an uproar over something that to us, is silly and insignifigant but who's to say that Muslims aren't thinking some of the things we do and say and create conflict over are insignifigant and unjust? We come from two very different areas of the world, we've grown up in completely different environments, yes the violence and protests got out of hand, I'm not arguing that because I agree entirely. But to get mad at them for having hurt feelings because WE did something wrong? Think how many times we've depicted Muhammed regardless? This is an ongoing occurance. If people weren't so ignorant and played the "blind eye" to issues that really do need our attention, these protests wouldn't have happened. There shouldn't be this "western world" and "eastern world" seperation. Last I checked, we were supposed to all be created equal, and equality means respect for everyone. It's sad that after how many years, we still do not understand this concept.
ReplyDeleteIn my eyes I see that the Muslims had every right to feel upset, mad or hurt. Not only did we create a depiction of Muhammad, one of their most sacred gods who is never suppose to be drawn, but at times we even go as far to act as though the way they feel is insignificant. But in my eyes the way they acted out those feelings were wrong. I read both comments above and I can see each of them have valid points and opinions, but that’s exactly what the Muslims did isn’t it? They voiced or as we can see showed their opinion. It’s unfair of us to not expect them to be upset after they had to see the cartoon drawn of their god. I mean if we were in their position and saw that they had drawn some crude cartoon or made a video about Jesus or Christ would we not also get upset? Like Andrew said maybe we don’t always “take it seriously” but we also get upset at times don’t we? Here in Canada we grow up everyday seeing different individuals living each of their lives in different ways, and different RELIGIONS, but that is their CHOICE how they live THEIR LIVES, it’s not up to us how they chose to live. Just as it was the artist’s choice to draw the crude drawing and now they have to suffer the consequences that are following it now. I’m not saying I agree with how they handled the situation, but I believe that we do owe them an apology of sorts. I also think that maybe now because of this situation people should open their eyes a little. See how the choices they make everyday can affect others and the decisions they make. Isn’t that what they taught us in grade school? Treat others the way you wish to be treated? Well then we’ll have to be making changes. Another lesson they teach us is no matter our skin colour, race, gender or religion that we’re all the same. So instead of judging the way people act, or who are their gods are, we should just come to an understanding that no matter where in the world we live, we should accept the way each individual chooses to live the life they are given by their own ways, without worrying how others will see it in their own eyes.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Christian based violence doesn't get the same "air-time" as Islamic based violence in the Western World. Let's not forget the horrific mass murder in Norway last year, or the Hutaree group in the USA too!
ReplyDeleteKeep the responses coming guys!