Speakers' Corner: Abdul Malik on Mohammed cartoons and film

“The "sacred" is an object of human construction and thus the fact that something is called "sacred" is insufficient itself to explain why all humans ought to respect it."

"Respect is owed to persons but not everything they value or venerate, even if other persons themselves do not uphold such a difference between their selves and their attachments."

In other words, the appropriate objects of moral respect are persons and that respect need not extend to their beliefs. Their beliefs may be right or supported by evidence, or they may be wrong, disagreeable, bigoted, intolerant, and not worthy of respect. In any case, I don't owe any special respect to some belief merely because someone or some group of people asserts that it is important for them or "sacred." That is too, too easy and I not only challenge that but flat out reject it. That assertion makes no moral demands upon me anymore than their religious piety or doctrines apply to me or the anyone else who does not accept them. And if I am wrong, then I invite those on the other side to use their free speech, rationality or ability to argue, and make a case showing why I am wrong. I have beliefs that are important to me and I feel passionately about and would fight for if necessary, but I don't demand others accept them or threaten them with violence if they don't defer to me regarding these beliefs.

It is no more improper in healthy democratic discourse to ridicule religious figures and ideas than it is to criticize and mock (other) politically important figures and ideas.

In democratic discourse there's nothing special about religious doctrines. Like other ideologies, religion instructs and even commands people about what they should value and how they should conduct themselves. And it does so in a powerful and effective way. It's simply not acceptable for a participant to enter public debate, have such a powerful effect upon it, and then claim immunity from the sort of treatment to which other participants are subject. As disagreeable as it may be to those invested in religious belief, mocking Mohammed, or Moses, or Jesus, is therefore no more improper than mocking Karl Marx or Adam Smith or Rush Limbaugh or Hilary Clinton.

In a democracy, no one should be compelled to respect what he or she believes to be false, immoral, and socially pernicious. I don't have to respect a religion whose doctrines I wholly reject anymore than I have to respect a political ideology I don't respect; communism, fascism, and libertarianism to name a few.

It worth remembering, and mindless passion and violence stemming from it in Muslim countries these last few weeks is a reminder, that those in the past who have talked about "blasphemy" and demanded respect are those who often repressed others who didn't share their doctrine. This was this case in Medieval Europe and into the 1700s where one could be hanged, burned at the stake, imprisoned (as was Galileo) for being labeled a "heretic" or "blaspheming" and the persecution of those who disagree is often the case today in many of these countries where this violence is being done.

It is worth noting as well that many of these countries whose officials, religious leaders, are speaking out with a reckless and intemperate passion on this are countries which in law and practice other religions (not to mention atheists) are discriminated against and treated without the respect that they demand for their own religion. Egyptian newspapers and television have for years mocked Jews, portrayed them as engaged in international conspiracies (with the aid of the U.S. sometimes) and even depicted them as stealing Christian children for use in religious sacrifices. I think that there is a massive hypocrisy from those who say respect our religion and suppress this film while at the same time they engage in equally "offensive" beha”

“http://tinyurl.com/cenae7l

fantastic video about why we should not stop criticising religion from, Freedom & Foreign Policy: Sean Faircloth”

“Not once in this response did you mention the disproportionate response from the Muslim world, yet sought to justify it through explaining how divine Prophet Mohammed is and an undercurrent of 'always being the victim'.

The Western world isn't seeking to marginalise anyone, in my view.

Moreover, it's the very lack of integration into society and the self-imposed isolation by a large minority of ethnic groups which seeks to alienate themselves, thus forming these social gullies and shortfalls.

While I completely understand the severity of offense these videos have caused - the response of mass rioting and killing each other has only sought to denigrate and nullify any form of compassion and understanding.

I do think Western society is very aware of Islam and its foibles - though this has only been through negative news events and it is very much time for the moderate Muslims to take the initiative and start villifying extremism in their own communities before pointing the finger at others.

Playing the victim all the time and seeking to scapegoat those around you is not helping your cause.”

“Not once in this response did you mention the disproportionate response from the Muslim world, yet sought to justify it through explaining how divine Prophet Mohammed is and an undercurrent of 'always being the victim'.

The Western world isn't seeking to marginalise anyone, in my view.

Moreover, it's the very lack of integration into society and the self-imposed isolation by a large minority of ethnic groups which seeks to alienate themselves, thus forming these social gullies and shortfalls.

While I completely understand the severity of offense these videos have caused - the response of mass rioting and killing each other has only sought to denigrate and nullify any form of compassion and understanding.

I do think Western society is very aware of Islam and its foibles - though this has only been through negative news events and it is very much time for the moderate Muslims to take the initiative and start villifying extremism in their own communities before pointing the finger at others.

Playing the victim all the time and seeking to scapegoat those around you is not helping your cause.”

“Not once in this response did you mention the disproportionate response from the Muslim world, yet sought to justify it through explaining how divine Prophet Mohammed is and an undercurrent of 'always being the victim'.

The Western world isn't seeking to marginalise anyone, in my view.

Moreover, it's the very lack of integration into society and the self-imposed isolation by a large minority of ethnic groups which seeks to alienate themselves, thus forming these social gullies and shortfalls.

While I completely understand the severity of offense these videos have caused - the response of mass rioting and killing each other has only sought to denigrate and nullify any form of compassion and understanding.

I do think Western society is very aware of Islam and its foibles - though this has only been through negative news events and it is very much time for the moderate Muslims to take the initiative and start villifying extremism in their own communities before pointing the finger at others.

Playing the victim all the time and seeking to scapegoat those around you is not helping your cause.”

“Whatever way you want to look at it, it's no different than me moaning that father Christmas' image shouldn't be used because I get offended by it. I personally find it difficult to be expected to respect someone's views about fairies, pixies or any other imaginary friend that lives in the sky.”

“Whatever way you want to look at it, it's no different than me moaning that father Christmas' image shouldn't be used because I get offended by it. I personally find it difficult to be expected to respect someone's views about fairies, pixies or any other imaginary friend that lives in the sky.”

“F”

“lastly i would add that in my opinion this article is more about blaming western culture and trying to justify the violence than explaining why Muslims were offended. i knew already what these reasons were and i can totally understand why they are offended. the cartoons/film are clearly needless, offensive and deliberately provocative and i havnt given them the time of day. however to react in the way they did is abhorrant and by no means acceptable in todays societies. but not once in that article did Mr Malik say how appalling the reaction to the film was or how he was disgusted by the way some muslims have taken in upon them selves to kill innocent people. he does however refer to with quite some disgust the arrogance and ignorance of europeans, and even suggests that the publication of the video/cartoons are as criminal as the violence it resulted in. that to me is very worrying. i'm not sure the families of those that have been murdered would accept that. there is a very big difference between being offended and being murdered. the fact that Mr Malik tries to put them both on a par is mortifying and hugely offensive to those that have suffered a loss. he even suggests freedom of speech should not allow people to mock religion (bearing in mind it is only the muslims that react with such violance of late)?? i would suggest it far better that they dont let the mocking of their religion justify violance.
i myself am now quite offended with what this man has written today. he is seemingly saying i shouldnt have the right to voice my opinion or share it with others for fear of upsetting muslims..basically he is saying that Islam should be allowed to dictate how other religions/cultures behave so that muslims arent offended.
well my advice would be to grow up. as children we are taught sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. we do this so children learn that violance is not the way to respond when someone calls you a name. we do this because we are aware that if children grow up hitting out everytime someone upsets them we would live in a very nasty world right now. if you dont like whats on youtube or in a magazine dont look at it, dont deliberately go in search of it. just ignore it. dont call for a complete overhaul of western culture just so as to appease a minority.
Rant Over!!”

“my dad alwasy used to tell me that as soon as you raise your voice you have lost the arguement..even if your point is valid. everything you were argueing for has lost all its validity.

i think the same can be said of this situation. by resorting to violence (as per usual) against people who have NOTHING to do with the film in question they have lost all power of their arguement. they have lost any chance of people listening to them and in turn wanting to respect their views.

people get offended everyday but as others have pointed out, they dont resort to violence or think because MR X has offended me i am well within my rights to murder his family.

As stated by Dazzyboy...the voice of the moderate Muslims need to be much louder. i think they need to be seen now to raise up and start taking their own stand against the small number of extremist who are rapidly tarnishing the whole of Islam.”