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Reckless calls for the death of those who engage in free expression must STOP! If one doesn't like a cartoon or some other statement, they can avoid it. For instance, I do not like pornography. Therefore I avoid it. However, at the same time, I do NOT call for the death of those who support this industry or participate in it nor reject their God-given right to do so.
As for the cover of Charlie Hebdo No. 1178 -- it is anything but blasphemous or insulting. It humanizes Mohammed (after all in Islam, there is but one God and He is Allah and Mohammed is His prophet!) who was a great prophet and human being. Make no mistake about it, Mohammed had very real human feelings and traits and therefore a humorous side too!
Considering that Mohammed was a very tolerant AND forgiving man, it is fitting that he would take a stand to show support for the victims of the senseless Paris massacres -- and shed a tear! He would also likely hold a "Je suis Charlie" sign as a show of solidarity and because he would be appalled that senseless killings were carried out in his name of all things!
It is also very noble of Charlie Hebdo staff, who suffered such a direct loss to express their forgiveness for the ruthless killers so soon even when their emotions are still raw from the loss of their beloved colleagues. Because of these reasons, the fact that Charlie Hebdo has given permission for widespread global use and distribution of its cover, I add an image of the cover below. And as I've done so, I say unequivocally, "Je suis Charlie!" and willingly "share responsibility for their uplifting cover and its image without fear and without regret!"
As for the cover of Charlie Hebdo No. 1178 -- it is anything but blasphemous or insulting. It humanizes Mohammed (after all in Islam, there is but one God and He is Allah and Mohammed is His prophet!) who was a great prophet and human being. Make no mistake about it, Mohammed had very real human feelings and traits and therefore a humorous side too!
Considering that Mohammed was a very tolerant AND forgiving man, it is fitting that he would take a stand to show support for the victims of the senseless Paris massacres -- and shed a tear! He would also likely hold a "Je suis Charlie" sign as a show of solidarity and because he would be appalled that senseless killings were carried out in his name of all things!
It is also very noble of Charlie Hebdo staff, who suffered such a direct loss to express their forgiveness for the ruthless killers so soon even when their emotions are still raw from the loss of their beloved colleagues. Because of these reasons, the fact that Charlie Hebdo has given permission for widespread global use and distribution of its cover, I add an image of the cover below. And as I've done so, I say unequivocally, "Je suis Charlie!" and willingly "share responsibility for their uplifting cover and its image without fear and without regret!"
The only reason extremists want to hide the great prophet Mohammed and forbid depictions of his face (after all the Qu'ran does NOT forbid illustrations that include his face) is because they want to DEFINE him in their own terms. Take away his face and he becomes dehumanized and easier to manipulate, define, and exploit!
Let his true humanity and benevolence stand out!
The extremists would be wise (if they really want to be Muslims as they profess to be) to renounce their theology of evil, open their hearts to tolerance, free their captives unconditionally and ask for forgiveness for their transgressions. The rampant murders in Nigeria, the callous beheadings in Iraq and Syria, the bloodthirsty calls for the death of others, attempts to annihilate Jews and Christians from the Earth, kidnappings and rapes of innocent women, enslavement, torture and murder of "prisoners" are EACH a BLASPHEMOUS character assassination of the prophet Mohammed and REJECTION of Islam.
They would also be wise to read Mohammed's farewell sermon (March 9, 632 CE) and take heed of his words when he declared everyone's blood (life) and property are sacred and inviolable, urged his followers to treat women kindly (certainly not the case of Boko Harem that dares say they are Muslim when they still haven't released their kidnapped school girls) and most importantly end the cycle of revenge and murder:
"Everything pertaining to the Days of Ignorance is under my feet completely abolished. Abolished are also the blood-revenges of the Days of Ignorance."
Mohammed also said in the same sermon, "And you would be asked about me (on the Day of Resurrection), (now tell me) what would you say?"
Sadly, based on their actions, they would cry out, "You were an intolerant, unforgiving, bloodthirsty tyrant!"
NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH! Peace be upon Him!
11 comments
Valfal said:
William Sutherland replied to Valfal:
Mohammed was a strong believer in religious pluralism, tolerance, and diversity. Thus, when he built the first Islamic state in 622 CE he made it a point to guarantee equality and religious freedom in the Constitution of Medina so that diverse peoples – Muslim and non-Muslim could live in peace and interact freely, which included cultural exchanges and dissemination of ideas.
Under early Islamic rule, discourse and ideas were exchanged freely by intellectuals and religious leaders of the diverse faiths without a need to concern themselves about potential adverse consequences for expressing divergent views.
A degree of assimilation also occurred as the diverse cultures influenced each other, which is evident in archeological evidence. Christians began to write their texts in Arabic, Muslims adopted certain Christian imagery (e.g. grapevines growing from pots – “I am the true vine” [John 15:1]) and created the “blue Qu’ran” written in gold leaf, silver, and ink on parchment colored with indigo (c. 900-950 CE in Tunisia) based on a c. 600 CE Byzantine “Illuminated” Bible that had been written with gold lettering on purple dyed parchment. Muslims also created masterful works of art that featured their beloved Prophet without feeling a need to conceal his face!
Likewise, Judaism and Christianity continued to flourish along with native languages and arts under early Islamic rule. Consequently, Judaic and Christian images were freely produced until the end of the 8th century CE when Islam’s inclusive vision began to wane following the demise of the Umayyad dynasty (c. 750 CE). In fact during this period, the Islamic empire even became a refuge for Christians persecuted by other Christians, namely Constantinople’s leaders during the Iconoclastic Controversy (8th-9th century CE). What is even more remarkable about Islamic tolerance of that period is that Muslims harbored these Christians even though they agreed with Constantinople’s view. As a result, Christalogical differences were respected and production and veneration of icons by those who dissented continued unimpeded in the Islamic empire despite Constantinople’s prohibition of their use.
At the same time, Mohammed... was a strong believer in forgiveness such that he forgave those who had plotted against him in Mecca when the City fell to his army and a woman who had attempted to poison him.
l.-r. Journey of the Prophet Mohammed and Mohammed's Call to Prophecy and the First Revelation, Leafs from a copy of the Majmac al-tawarikh ("Compendium of Histories"), c. 1425 CE; Timurid. From Herat, Afghanistan. Metropolitan Museum of Art
LutzP said:
Don Sutherland said:
Valfal replied to :
Pam J said:
They are Psychopaths.... plain and simple... lets please take the religion out of all this... it isnt any form of recognisable religion.
Responsibility and Accountability for ones deeds and actions also come with "Freedom" in whatever guise.
As-Salaamo-Alaikum
William Sutherland replied to :
William Sutherland said:
.t.a.o.n. said:
William Sutherland said:
Heidiho said:
Der Wahnsinn geht weiter ...