“And when I am president of the world, there will be a Koran in every home!”
Source: DailyTimes.com
ISLAMABAD: Former US president Bill Clinton on Friday condemned the publication of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) caricatures by European newspapers and urged countries concerned to convict the publishers.
Talking to reporters after meeting Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in Islamabad, Clinton said he disagreed with the caricatures and that the publication was against religious and ethical norms. Clinton said he had no objection to peaceful demonstrations being held worldwide, but this was not the time for violence. He said it was the time to promote inter-faith harmony and stand together on the issue.
He said the people’s religious convictions should be respected at all costs and the media should be disallowed to play with the religious sentiments of other faiths. He said the media could criticise any issue including governments and people, but nobody had the right to play with the sentiments of other faiths. (more…)
I thought that this was a very interesting move for a former AMERICAN president to tell other nations to limit the freedom of expression. I wish that he was just as gracious with the depiction of Mary in elephant dung back in 2000.
While cable news networks are not showing these cartoons to prevent offending Islam, CNN had no problem showing this offensive image of Mary on its website.
Let me be clear with this whole situation AGAIN. Offensive depictions of any religion is wrong. With that being said, why are we not showing the same impartiality to Christianity?
Here is a partial list of “offenses” against Christianity on American television and other venues–offenses deemed “Art”:
#The recently canceled NBC show “The Book of Daniel”
#The West Wing–The president (portrayed by Martin Sheen) makes the following statement: “Am I really to believe that these are that acts of a loving God? A just God? A wise God?” Bartlet exclaims. “To hell with your punishments. I was your servant here on Earth. And I spread your word and I did your work. To hell with your punishments. To hell with you.”
#Kanye West’s portrayal Jesus on a recent cover of Rolling Stone magazine
#Piss Christ–From thecityreview.com:”The notorious “Piss Christ” by Andres Serrano (b. 1950), Lot 51, is a beautiful image of the crucifixion that seems to float in blood, which caused a great deal of controversy because the liquid is urine and many people felt the image and concept was therefore sacrilegious. While the use of urine was provocative, the resulting image is very powerful and memorable and fine. This lot is numbered 4 of an edition of 10. It had an estimate of $30,000 to $40,000 and sold for $105,000.” (emphasis mine).
#Choice on Earth Christmas cards.
#The movie “The Last Temptation of Christ” depicts a scene where Jesus fantasies having sex with Mary–his mother.
Trust me, if I had the time today, the list would be much longer.
I am particulary interested in the virtual silence of my people on this issue. We claim to be very religious, however our silence in effect supports this hypocrisy. Here are some stats pulled from BookerRising:
Religious Background: 71% Protestant, 15% non-denominational Christian, 7% Catholic, 4% no religion, 2% Muslim, 1% other
Evangelical Christianity: 62% say the Bible is God’s literal word
Islam: 40% (plural majority) of U.S. Muslims are black
Religious Service Attendance: 41% attend every week, 22% a few times a year, 19% once or twice a month, 12% almost every week, 6% never
USA Has Special Protection From God: 58% yes, 28% no, 14% don’t know
USA’s Strength & Success is Based on Religious Faith: 69% yes, 28% no, 3% don’t know
One Must Believe in God to Be Moral: 69% yes, 25% no, 6% don’t know
Are USA’s Morals On Wrong Track: 87% yes
Support School Prayer: 79% say yes
This has nothing to do with being Right wing, Left wing, chicken wing, or whatever. This has everything to do with how WE value what we claim to believe.
I’ return to this issue in the near future.
February 24th, 2006 at 12:30 pm
I read the examples you put forth but one thing I noticed is christians making fun of christianity and not muslim doing it…..unlike these cartoons….it seems that muslims are taking there religion more seriously than we are…
February 24th, 2006 at 12:43 pm
Uh, hello?
These are not Christians making fun of Christians.
fyi: People who are not Muslim are not automatically Christian in the traditional sense.
February 26th, 2006 at 12:10 pm
I agree with your basic statement - there is definitely some inequality where Christianity is concerned. However, its not as if Christians stand idly by when they believe something is blaspehemous. Citizens defaced the “Holy Virgin Mary” work, Tupaq and Kanye both received quite a bit of flac for their depictions, as did Rolling Stone Magazine. “The Last Temptation” was banned in many cites around the globe, and, of course, “The Book of Daniel” has been canceled because of advertiser pressures.
BTW - Though the idea that Jesus might have sexual fantasies at all is blasphemous in many eyes, Mary Magdalene was not the mother of Jesus.
February 26th, 2006 at 1:28 pm
So you equate the burning down of churches, killing of innocent people, death threats and similar acts to mere criticism?
I admit that defacing anybody’s work is dead wrong, but com’on. Christians din’t shoot Tupac, Kanye? His house and life are still in tact. As far as putting demands on NBC to cancel that show, what should Christians have done? Formulate a Kum-ba-Yah circle while plugging up our ears?
How about boycotting the paper that originally published these cartoons? Hmmm.
Killing cannot be compared to peacefully expressing outrage–sorry!
February 28th, 2006 at 7:18 am
Well said Duane
February 28th, 2006 at 8:26 am
In no way do I condone violence. However, there comes a time when words and sit ins just don’t work. There is war against Muslims in this world. George Bush has made Muslims of the world seem as though they act as one collective and have decided to run amuck. Traditionally Muslims are a peaceful people. A kind, meek and humble people. Are there Muslims that would have the western world fall as Babylon did yes. And those individuals should be dealt with swiftly and harshly. Let us not forget it is Christians that tend to be the worse religious offenders. It is Christians that tend to be the most intolerant of others. Oh by the way as far as the church bombings. Of the people that have been convicted, upon their classifications into the prison system they list Christianity as their faith.
February 28th, 2006 at 10:12 am
“Oh by the way as far as the church bombings. Of the people that have been convicted, upon their classifications into the prison system they list Christianity as their faith”
That dose not make them one
Matthew 7:22-23Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
February 28th, 2006 at 10:16 am
There is no war against Muslims,but terrorists.
can you say it with me..ter·ror·ist
February 28th, 2006 at 11:05 am
Then why have we not waged war against George Bush and Tony Blair. They lied and now soldiers are killing one another. The defination of terrorism is the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion. Is that not what Bush did? He gave the world incorrect facts (lies) and coerced the American People to support an unjust war. If the war is against terrorist why have we allowed Iran to operate for so long? If we are concerned about terror, why have we allowed North Korea to continue to posture in regard to nuclear weapons? No we are not at war with terror. Don’t be mistaken.
February 28th, 2006 at 11:15 am
No that was not what he did.
defination of terrorism is the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion hint 9-11
Iran on the list it is coming.
North Korea is just making Noise.
Yoy are mistaken we are at war 9-11
February 28th, 2006 at 11:26 am
If this war was about 9-11 why are we in Iraqi. Wasn’t Osama Bin Laden in Afghanistan? I was not the best geography student. But don’t you look for people where you know they are? You mean to tell me that we can find the president of a country (Saddam) But can’t find a derelict and free loader with no country to call home. My war started with Katrina. Guess that wasn’t an act of terrorism to fail to respond to basic human need (shelter, food and water).
February 28th, 2006 at 11:38 am
Finsh the war with Katrina.
Afghanistan been there done that.
“But can’t find derelict and free loader with no country to call home”
He has more money than he knows what to do with.
You are responsible for you need not the government