Published: 19 Sep 12 11:51 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/opinion/20120919-45061.html
Germany is split on a possible screening of the film which sparked violence in several Islamic countries. It is a free speech versus religious sensibility debate – with fear of violence mixed in. Have your say.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
President Barack Obama said Russian and US nuclear weapons should be slashed by up to a third in a keynote speech in front of Berlin's iconic Brandenburg Gate in which he called for a world of "peace and justice." READ () »
A German dentist who was so desperate for cash that he cut off his own finger for the insurance money has been found guilty of fraud and sentenced to a year in prison to be served on parole. The man said he was the victim of an attack. READ () »
The Local met a colourful crowd gathered to glimpse First Lady Michelle Obama in Berlin on Wednesday - from the Dutch man who came all the way to Germany to see her, to the commuter annoyed to find his way to work barred by police. READ () »
Germany has the third highest population of millionaires of any country in the world, and according to a study released on Wednesday, their piles of gold are growing faster than the world economy. READ () »
Find movies playing in English in Germany with The Local’s cinema guide. READ () »
With temperatures creeping up into the high thirties on Wednesday Deutsche Bahn said broken air conditioning systems could see train cancellations across the country. The network is still battling to get back on track after the floods. READ () »
It's been a tough few days for Social Democrat chancellor candidate Peer Steinbrück. At the weekend he made headlines for crying at a party event and just three months before the election, support for his party is at an all-year low. READ () »
Barack Obama follows JFK and Ronald Reagan in his Berlin speech on Wednesday. Can he match being a Berliner or calling for Gorbachev to tear down that wall? The Local List has six other famous US quotes about Germany. READ () »
More news from France at thelocal.fr
More news from Norway at thelocal.no
More news from Sweden at thelocal.se
More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch
See all ads | Join the Marketplace
886 jobs available
582 new jobs this week
0 new jobs today
Dating
Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your
style? Find a German sweetheart here.
Weather
"After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather
section.
Blog
German stuff that's distracting us today.
Noticeboard
Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of
charge.
Discuss
Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.
Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss
Your comments about this article:
Here is my say YES
YES.
And besides, Germany didn't release any video. Why was the Khartoum German Embassy attacked, then? Please, tell the truth about hate and intolerance. Its not a game of hide and seek, so stop treating it as one.
Really.
Why should we allow them to reserve unto themselves that they, their religion and their "prophet" are beyond criticism or even appropriate criticism? The defense of freedom of speech has never been a walk in the park and violence or the threat of violence should never be allowed to become a deterrent to the exercise of that right. When that happens we are all the victims.
Should we next decide that criticism of Scientology or the mafia is out of bounds because they might become upset and violent?
On those grounds alone it should not be shown. Please note the only people who have actively called for it to be shown are right wing extremists.
To those who say "Look at Monty Pyhon's Life of Brian - you didn't see Christians getting all hot and bothered about that", please remember that that film was made by Christians (well, certainly not people of another faith). This anti-muslim film was most definitely not made by Muslims - therefore it is an attempt to incite ridicule and hatred.
For those who then say "but look what Islam demands of its followers in retaliation", you are basically proving my biggest problem with *any* religion: it isn't the religion itself that is the problem, but the power-mongers who "interpret" the religious writings for their own purposes.
The film should not be shown. We should not pander to those who wish to incite hatred: be it the right wingers or those who made the film.
You just don't get it do you?
'everybody should have the right to abuse harass n torture everyone in public '
the murdering, arson and destruction directed at those that had nothing to do with any movie, is proof of your own reactionary violence and intolerance. Where are the burned mosques in retaliation? There are no burned mosques, nor is there any violence or protests against your actions. We just watch in shock at the violent religious fanatics.
Ali, I have a genuine question for you. Does the Koran *really* demand that Muslims make violent reaction in retaliation for any slights against the Islamic faith, or is it just the twisted view of those Imams and power mongers who want to control using religion?
What exactly does the Koran say about this? Please clear up this gap in my knowledge as I really would like to understand the thought processes and drivers of some of the people I have to share this planet with.
Of those Muslims I know personally, I cannot imagine any of them condoning the violence perpetrated in the name of retaliation for this film.
As I said, this *is* a genuine request.
Forbidding something is the quickest way to get people to do something. Let people show the film. Anyone who watches it will mourn the time they spent doing so, and it most certainly is not going to change anyone's mind.
There ARE parallels in the Christian experience. "The last temptation of Christ" was a film which many Christians viewed as blasphemous. There were demonstrations in front of many movie theaters and calls for boycotts of theaters, companies and even actors.
People need to see that:
1) Religion must be open to criticism and debate
2) Faith, if it is not strong enough to withstand criticism and debate is not worth defending.
3) If religion and faith withstand criticism and debate, they come out stronger, not weaker, in the end.
As an aside, this becomes an intensely personal judgement call. For me, no religion or faith can withstand criticism and debate, and that is why I profess no religion. But as it is PERSONAL, I cannot fault others for claiming Christianity, Islam (etc), if they do so with a critical mind.
As for the broadcast, Just get on with it.
we the muslims have never made fun of anyone\s god or religion. Really! The first crusade by pope urban II came 465 years AFTER the first Islamic Jihad in the year 630
630 Muhammad launches the Tabuk Crusades, in which he led 30,000 jihadists against the Byzantine Christians. He had heard a report that a huge army had amassed to attack Arabia, but the report turned out to be a false rumor. The Byzantine army never materialized. He turned around and went home, but not before extracting 'agreements' from northern tribes. They could enjoy the 'privilege' of living under Islamic 'protection' (read: not be attacked by Islam), if they paid a tax (jizya).
This tax sets the stage for Muhammad's and the later Caliphs' policies. If the attacked city or region did not want to convert to Islam, then they paid a jizya tax. If they converted, then they paid a zakat tax. Either way, money flowed back to the Islamic treasury in Arabia or to the local Muslim governor.
632—634 Under the Caliphate of Abu Bakr the Muslim Crusaders reconquer and sometimes conquer for the first time the polytheists of Arabia. These Arab polytheists had to convert to Islam or die. They did not have the choice of remaining in their faith and paying a tax. Islam does not allow for religious freedom.
633 The Muslim Crusaders, led by Khalid al—Walid, a superior but bloodthirsty military commander, whom Muhammad nicknamed the Sword of Allah for his ferocity in battle (Tabari, 8:158 / 1616—17), conquer the city of Ullays along the Euphrates River (in today's Iraq). Khalid captures and beheads so many that a nearby canal, into which the blood flowed, was called Blood Canal (Tabari 11:24 / 2034—35).
634—644 The Caliphate of Umar ibn al—Khattab, who is regarded as particularly brutal.
807 Caliph Harun al—Rashid orders the destruction of non—Muslim prayer houses and of the church of Mary Magdalene in Jerusalem
850 Caliph al—Matawakkil orders the destruction of non—Muslim houses of prayer
1095 Pope Urban II preaches first Crusade; they capture Jerusalem in 1099
So it is only after all of the Islamic aggressive invasions that Western Christendom launches its first Crusades.
OK, if someone really want to have 'freedom of speech', then lets talk about the holocaust, and when some jews will cry, we can say it is 'freedom of speech'.
One mans hate speech is another man's proclamation of the truth. Free speech dictates that we should not distinguish between them regardless of the consequences as the consequences of trying are the death of freedom of expression. Hurt feelings on one side or the other should never be allowed to enter into the discussion.
Do you remember what Salahuddin said when he was entering Jerusalem. He let all the non-muslim men and women to leave safely, not like christians who made Jerusalem a city of blood and raped all the women when they conquered the city.
Jizya ... do you know what is jizya or zakat?? this is equivalent to the 40% tax that you pay to the German Government. So muslims were taking such taxes from all the people (muslim, non-muslim) and providing them all the facilities like you enjoy in Germany or any other country. It also shows that these were the Muslims who started the concept of a social state.
I would recommend you to properly read the history from Neutral historians before spreading such disinformation.
But, what do a number of people from some of the oldest civilizations in the world do when a small group of people in America make a 14 minute film against Islam? They riot, break onto sovereign soil left unprotected by the host nation, tear down flags, kill an ambassador and blame a government and its' people for the voice of a few.
Should the film be shown? Yes. Should Muslim's blame every non-Muslim because this video was made and shown? No, but in doing so you show the world your own ignorance and inability to function in modern society.
Do you think offending people will make them less radical and will accept your values? If no, then its the power of patience, tolerance and love which will change things. This virtue should be both sided, so that a conflict should be avoided.
An example
(youtube) watch?v=4NW3RLnXmTY
The same principle applies on a much wider scale: nations, peoples, religions and politics.
In the UK:
Teenager convicted of gross offence for a facebook status update reading "all soldiers should die and go to hell".
In Poland:
Pop-star fined for "offending religious feelings". Her crime? Saying "it's hard to believe in something that was written by someone drunk on wine and smoking herbs."
In Austria:
Historian and published author given prison time for questioning the Holocaust.
In Russia:
Female band given prison for offending the Orthodox church by singing in a church.
Freedom of expression should not be restrained. If some people are not adult enough to take criticism on the chin and critise back in a civilised fashion then it is them who should learn to grow up and stop throwing their rattle out of the pram every time they don't get their way.
The video was some fools creation, It was a satire in poor taste to many but funny to others. It was not the doctrine of the USA or any nation. The reaction to the film and the deaths and destruction were way beyond any thing reasonable or acceptable.
Every time some one makes fun of Pope, our church, our leaders this can also become sensored as hate material.
Why is it that when the Muslim faith is made fun of , it is different than other beliefs?
The reactionaries to this video are the problem, any fool can put this type of stuff out there and we all have to suffer for something we had no part in. If these people can not understand that then I doubt censorship will make any difference .
No dude, try to start a debate on holocaust, you will be put into a jail. Why? because you are hurting jews, but what happens when you hurt 1.5 billion muslims? then you and your 'puppet governments' start crying over 'freedom of expression'.
This hypocracy results attacks on American Embassies. Most (not all) of the western people are so much 'brain-washed' that sometimes they even can't think logically.
Be responsible and get the facts.
As an American. I hear everyday. About how I'm some sort of redneck yahoo. That I'm stupid. And how we in America are to blame for every ill that has come to the earth. There are those that hate me personally and would want to see me harmed for simply being an American. And still I do not and will not advocate that saying any thing anti American be made illegal. nor do I support the suing of a person that makes a verbal insult.
But you will notice one thing about most all of my posts on the middle east. I freely admit that my government and those of Europe has in fact stuck it's collective nose where it doesn't belong when it comes to the Middle East. I do not make absolute statements like America has never done wrong. I would however be very interested in what peoples realistic ideas are for a solution to the problems we all face.
from your post.
Do you remember what Salahuddin said when he was entering Jerusalem. He let all the non-muslim men and women to leave safely.
So then if the West is in the Middle East and says "everyone can still be Islamic" We just want to have stability in the government so oil flows without interruption. We don't really care what your religion is. The West never even hinted at asking the non-Christians to leave the middle East. An even more gentle approach than Salahuddin took. And everyone agrees that he was a good and fair conqueror. So there you go. Another snip it of history to support one's view. But then when it is applied to today's events. Can be turned to also support something that I doubt you would support. I.E. westerners in the Middle East. No modern era Western government has ever advocated the dis-Islamification of the Middle East. They (the West) do however want oil to flow freely and we will even pay the Middle eastern countries a lot of money for it.
I read it on thelocal that a person was fined for saying as-h--e to another person, I think it was happened in Hamburg. So if abusing one person is a crime, then how on earth abusing 1.5 billion people is not a crime??
So the point is to solve the real problem and don't fool people by saying 'freedom of speech/expression'.
The holocaust was an historical event that resulted in the deaths of over 6 million people not all of them jews by the way. The reason its a crime to deny the holocaust is not because it defames jews but because its is the denial of a monstrous crime. Satirizing islam on the other hand is the expression of an opinion on a religion many people view as barbaric which was started by a figure that some historians question even existed.
If someone doesn't abide by your faith it isn't hateful. If a Mullah issues a fatwa against you because you dare to publicly disagree with Islam THAT is hateful.
My mother thought I was good looking, but you may think I'm ugly. For you to say so doesn't make it so. You are entitled to your opinion and you're having an opinion doesn't insult me, or my mother.
Muslims will find more respect when Islamists stop killing Christians and Jews. It's clear where the hatred and intolerance is coming from on this issue.
Sometimes, freedom of speech is not worth it and common sense should prevail.......
I suppose TL would remove this video also if it was posted on their website. This is why TL will never get into the same league as youtube or other top media internet portals. TL is just an online tabloid aiming to avoid trouble. Really a LOCAL Tabloid in all sense of the words. Small and unprovocative and very often uninteresting. These topics are put on TL regularly to get discussion and web traffic. It is a safe formula for them to boost web traffic and comments whilst at the same time removing all risky comments.
In the 1970s, a law was enacted in the UK to make it a crime to "incite racial hatred". There is sometimes discussion as to whether that includes religious hatred... probably not. The law is very rarely applied because of the difficulty in proving the crime as opposed to reasonable free speech.
So to accept your thesis, it was wrong to enact this law. People should have the right to insult other races, stand in front of a shop holding signs that read "Deutsche, kauft nicht von..." (Remember that?)
I don't know the answer to all these problems and, actually, I am tired of it all...
Best wishes to all.
We can't be isolated from everything that would do us harm. Unless we were to build a large fence to exclude all. And just who would be the arbiters of free speech. The government? You should know very well what they do when given power. They demand more of it. Then what? It will then eventually enact sedition laws. Under the pretense of maintaining good order.
In truth, politeness is artificial good humor, it covers the natural want of it, and ends by rendering habitual a substitute nearly equivalent to the real virtue.
Thomas Jefferson
I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
Thomas Jefferson
The film however is not a criticism but an insult, primarily to not the aggressive bearded guys you see on tv but thousands and thousands others who reacted peacefully or didn¦#39;t show their reaction at all (although being to put it mildly very upset). Have you thought about them? Many people here are comparing the film with Life of Brian and saying ¦quot;we are not insulted, we don¦#39;t want it to be prohibited, why are you?¦quot; It¦#39;s your choice and right not to be insulted. It¦#39;s their choice and right to take an offence. Since when it is expected for all people to have the same attitude and reactions to the same things? I have Muslim friends and I was surprised to find out that one can hardly compare the relationship of a Christian with his God and the relationship of a Muslim with his God and Messenger. A Muslim truly loves the Prophet like a dearest friend, more than he loves himself. Unlike Christians, Muslims take every insult on the Prophet personally like an insult on their own mother or father. We can call it ridiculous, illogical, you may not understand it, but it won¦#39;t change this fact that we have to respect. I guess we all should keep in mind that we should treat other people¦#39;s feelings with the respect, even if we fail to understand them.
So freedom of speech yes, freedom of spreading hatred misusing freedom of speech no.
But why attacked embassies and the ambassador, do they have any connection from the film maker. Sometimes, there is just too much Hollywood from so many people, they equate everything to clandestine operations even when there is no connection to it.
OK, Ali the embassies were burned, flags were trampled, human lives were lost. Were you able to justify your cause? Do you think the citizens agree with your "tooth for a tooth" reaction? Why react on Ambassador Stevens, he was helping Libya to full normalcy. Does he have anything to do with the film maker aside the fact that they were both Americans? Do we have the right to accuse all Muslims in general are violent? Ali, the best thing you can do is to apologize for the families of innocent people and move on as a citizen of the civilized world.
But thank you for showing that you are also in favour of free speech .
Yet by not showing the film as you suggest, you are pandering to those whom threaten violence.
How many of those who want the film banned have actually seen it?
If anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder or to spread mischief in the land-it would be as if he killed all humankind and if anyone saved a life,it would be as if he saved the life of all humankind (HOLY QURAN 5:32)The bad always opposes the good thus Al-mighty created heaven and hell strategically.You criticized our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) and burned the Quran.DO IT TILL YOU SATISFIED!!The one who insults Prophet Muhammad is like the one who looks directly into the sun and spits at it.His spit falls back on his face.Quran opposes Racism and Fascism while Fascism opposes PEACE,BROTHERHOOD,FRIENDSHIP,COMPROMISE AND TOLERANCE.Allah needs an evidence to put Anti-Islamist in hell where the blue flame will penetrate his bone marrows from Oesophagus to Anus.Protests and Bullets won't help us getting justice.Prayers are powerful than weapons.Patience is a virtue and his help comes to the people who remain patient.People criticized our prophet face to face.He didn't care at all and remained patient and today Islam is challenging every evil after 1430 years approx.from East to the West.Countries like yours where gay marriage has been accepted and legalized.Would you people show us the right way to heaven?How many neurons are there in your brain?You want to know how many Prophet Muhammad had?IF JESUS IS GOD,THEN WHO WAS THE GOD BEFORE JESUS WAS BORN?Show me in any version of your bible where Jesus says "I am the God. Worship me"?If Jesus died for our sins,now a days sins are increasing all over the globe. Do we need another Jesus to come and die for our sins??If bread is the flesh of Jesus and red wine is the blood that makes the red wine a holy drink.What kind of religion would allow to drink and get drunk, loose your consciousness after consuming about 40-45% alcohol?You won¦#39;t be charged by cops while driving cuz you are a pious person.THIS AIN¦#39;T JOKE.You better appreciate the seriousness of the situation otherwise never underestimate the incredibility of stupidity.Prophet Adam was brought to this world without parents. Why can't be Jesus without father??How many versions of the bible do you sell in markets?Which one is the right one cuz the words are not exactly the same but if I buy the Quran,I get the one and original without any amendment in words like Hebrew Bible.If Jesus is the son of God.Why didn't the God mentioned his beloved wife and marriage in the bible or it was just a friendship with Maryam.If God has tendency to reproduce then there is a Demand,Will and other Necessities above the sky. Isn't he similar to us in our daily needs?What is uncommon?What kind of God you are praying my Dog if he is dependent too like you. That was Part 1 of my comment.....to be continue and as follows:
consider though that there probably is no god so all the books are irrelevant.
And Life of Brian is extremely mild compared to this movie.
yes brother u r right about the concept and about what Quran says is IF SOMEONE KILLS ONE INNOCENT HUMAN, KILLS ALL THE HUMANITY.
I want to tell u all here that I am a graduate of Chalmers University of Tech Sweden and have lived here for 4 years now, the only problem is its always the people fighting not the leaders so we are being used by the so called presidents and prime ministers of the world, Am from Pakistan and u can check it from any news that in pakistan there isnt any violence over this issue just simple protest but my country is being bombed by US drones for the 10 years now innocent people die daily, who attacked Afghanistan Iraq only US n yet nothing was found there now u will say 911 but i must tell u that it was just a justification to get resources by getting into countries ........... no muslim did that .... its just power politics of big cooperate houses to control n gain more wealth of the world so that we act as slaves,,,,,
who has biggest weapons industry in the world USA not any other and if u want to sell ur weapons u need markets wars so u do things like this so that people fight and to produce these weapons u need resources. Here by \\ u\\ means presidents and elites of the world ....
so its just POWER HUNGER GAMES which people dont understand n then they fight have u ever seen any leaders fighting the answer is NO big NO because they know what they are doing ......... and still all of u having hatred for muslims, they should study the Quran first and still if u feel that muslims are bad they are the only ones responsible for bloodshed and wars n fighting n must be killed
so that the world be a peaceful place then u are badly mistaken but even if that makes u happy then u are already killing muslims all around the world n can keep on doing but remember that world cannot be peaceful as the first crusade was launched by western christians on the eastern christians, u can go n check true history not tormented one !!!
I have a question for all having bad feelings for muslims, did any muslim make any film against any religion or god of urs? I hope n know that the answer is certainly NO
tc all
As for those who keep bringing up the Holocaust, please check your facts first. According to figures published in 1939, 5.5 Million Jews were living in Europe.
I am not good at maths, nor a profi historian, but somebody must be wrong. As to those who keep refering to the Germans as Nazis, prewar elections show that the majority never were. Although upset, when people make such false accusations, few would resort to violence.
I have to admit your al-Taqiyya knows no bounds.
Now for some real facts, 80 million Hindus were slaughtered and 20 million mostly women sold in moslem slave markets during the invasion and 1400 year illegal occupation of India. What did the people of India do to deserve this? They were just polytheists and mohammed said, kill all polytheists.
Islam mandates death for non-Muslim subjects of the Islamic state who mention "something impermissible about Allah, the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), or Islam" ('Umdat al-Salik, o11.10), and such laws go back to passages in the Hadith and Sira in which Muhammad orders the murders of people who have insulted him, including Abu ¦#39;Afak, who was over one hundred years old, and the poetess ¦#39;Asma bint Marwan. Abu ¦#39;Afak was killed in his sleep, in response to Muhammad's question, ¦quot;Who will avenge me on this scoundrel?¦quot; Similarly, Muhammad on another occasion cried out, ¦quot;Will no one rid me of this daughter of Marwan?¦quot; One of his followers, ¦#39;Umayr ibn ¦#39;Adi, went to her house that night, where he found her sleeping next to her children. The youngest, a nursing babe, was in her arms. But that didn¦#39;t stop ¦#39;Umayr from murdering her and the baby as well. Muhammad commended him: ¦quot;You have done a great service to Allah and His Messenger, ¦#39;Umayr!¦quot; (Ibn Ishaq, 674-676)
Then there was Ka'b bin Al-Ashraf. Muhammad asked: "Who is willing to kill Ka'b bin Al-Ashraf who has hurt Allah and His Apostle?" One of the Muslims, Muhammad bin Maslama answered, "O Allah's Apostle! Would you like that I kill him?" When Muhammad said that he would, Muhammad bin Maslama said, "Then allow me to say a (false) thing (i.e. to deceive Kab)." Muhammad responded: "You may say it." Muhammad bin Maslama duly lied to Ka'b, luring him into his trap, and murdered him. (Sahih Bukhari, volume 5, book 59, number 369
more below
WTH......u had those berries again? buahahaha :D
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said in al-Saarim al-Maslool (1/162): This hadeeth is jayyid, and there is a corroborating report in the hadeeth of Ibn 'Abbaas which we will quote below.
This hadeeth clearly indicates that it was permissible to kill that woman because she used to insult the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
It may be noted from this that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had the right to kill whoever insulted him and spoke harshly to him, and that included both Muslims and kaafirs.
Al-Saarim al-Maslool, 2/438
Insulting the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is one of the worst of forbidden actions, and it constitutes kufr and apostasy from Islam, according to scholarly consensus, whether done seriously or in jest. The one who does that is to be executed even if he repents and whether he is a Muslim or a kaafir. If he repents sincerely and regrets what he has done, this repentance will benefit him on the Day of Resurrection and Allaah will forgive him.
The Islamic world is running a protection racket against the entire Western world. We are supposed to stay in line and pay up, or we can get hurt.
The part of Guido and his tommy gun is played by the ¦quot;Muslim street¦quot;, that amorphous mass of people in the Middle East, South Asia, and more recently the working class neighborhoods of Europe. When the word about the latest outrage against Islamic dignity goes out through the mosques on Friday, the faithful are predictably offended, and they take to the streets to loot and burn whatever is required of them by the imams.
So don¦#39;t get out of line. Don¦#39;t interfere with the Muslims, don¦#39;t neglect to pay the ¦quot;insurance premiums¦quot;, and above all don¦#39;t diss the Prophet.
@ 21:44 September 19, 2012 by Kennneth Ingle
It's not just the European jews but also those living in Russia you must count.
@ 22:43 September 19, 2012 by nstaubach
Rather have those berries then then be covered in a mountain of al-Taqiyya by wiedersehen404
Freedom of speach is what you want, than why you have laws that prevent people from speaking about Holocaust.
When America do drone attacks in pakistan, and when they takes actions against Usama bin Laden in Pakistan , So they give the argument that Pakistan land was used from attacks on Americans in Afghanistan.
So why these people hurt the emotions of Muslim people while they are sitting in America, America soil is used for these filthy things.
These man should be given punishement (severe punishment), otherwise worse will happen to them.
Here I narrat a fact that Governer of one of the province in Pakistan (Punjab) was killed by his own security card, as he had spoken some bad words about the blasphemy law of Pakistan. So if Muslim can kill another muslim for the same reason, than What will hapen to people from other religions?
3.1.1 Die Würde des Menschen ist unantastbar (Art. 1 Abs. 1 Grundgesetz)
German Muslims are Germans first and than Muslims, they are free to practice any religion and they are free to make their concerns know. So if they say this stuff is unacceptable and it hurts their feelings, being civilized it is bound on us that it should be avoided in future. If anyone does this thing from here onwards, will be surely counted as an act of provoking and definitely provoking is forbidden in our constitution. So please all those confused idiots, don't mix it up with free speech!
'The right to freedom of expression is recognized as a human right under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and recognized in international human rights law in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Article 19 of the ICCPR states that "[e]veryone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference" and "everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice". Article 19 goes on to say that the exercise of these rights carries "special duties and responsibilities" and may "therefore be subject to certain restrictions" when necessary "[f]or respect of the rights or reputation of others" or "[f]or the protection of national security or of public order (order public), or of public health or morals".[1][2]
I think the restriction of this stupid video could be argued to be justified as protection of public order due to the fanatics we have in our society. Not bowing down to them in any way but for peace sake stuff the stupid video.
"not bowing down to them in any way" ? Of course its completely caving in do the muslim threat of violence. And when the next video comes out or the next cartoon or the next critique of muslim behavior comes round it will be that much harder to take a stand against the blackmail of threatened or implied threat of violence. The precedence will be that in order to placate islam we forfeited our right to free speech the last time so there is little difference in doing so again. The slippery slope is slippery indeed.
This is the same dead horse you're always jumping up and down on. b;ah blah blah. where are all these fundamentalist zombies of 'other creeds' you speak of? Where is the violence?
If you don;t have a rock solid example of these misdeeds by these 'other creeds' Shut the F#*k up already. Its getting tired. The topic at hand is about violence caused by free speech.
Surrender of the right of free speech is too high a price to quiet this very spoiled adolescent. It needs to be taught how to behave in mixed company.
Censorship is a giant step on the path to enslavement and would be a big mistake. Concern about the deleterious effects of an increasingly aggressive islamic minority isn't islamophobia, its islamorealism.
Well said!!
Free speech did not cause the violence. A major contributing factor is the lack of respect, tolerance by believers of faith, followers and the ignorant.
I have not read, seen or heard of any reports of the so called fundamentalist zombies that are protesting, burning in effigy or insulting the names or images of the Christian or Hebrew Prophets and messengers of peace?
Where is the violence? The fundamentalist zombies of other creeds, can also be found in Christianity and Judaism.
http://www.iuscomp.org/gla/statutes/StGB.htm#166
In most of the Western world, Freedom and freedom of speech is not free, its a privilege. And, with the privileges of Freedom comes individual and social responsibility.
I assume these are the zoombies .
When someone insults you, that does not give you the right to kill and destroy.You can try to mollify this but I doubt many people will suscribe to your way of thinking.
I am not attempting to pacify this issue. There is a serious disconnect and not to mention, a double standard regarding respect and tolerance of Islam and their Prophet. In Western society and specificity in Germany and in the US, it is not tolerated and is illegal to make negative or insulting comments regarding the Holocaust, Judaism or Christianity. Is Islam not a religion?
The Christian and Hebrew most celebrated Prophet of Freedom Moses, committed horrible crimes against unarmed old men, old women, and young girls which are recoded in their books of truth, peace and love.
Why not make a short true story film of the Prophet Moses violent activities to mollify the other Zombies?
I remain committed to my stance that this was way out of line, there is no justification in killing the USA ambassador or others that were not in any way involved with the making or publishing of this insulting video.My feelings were that this was stirred up by Al Qaeda, who are a very poor representative of Islam.
"should Germany demand toleration of offence in the name of free speech? Have your say. "
Here is my say YES
Is there even a word for something so absurd, so incredibly ridiculous? In fact there is. It is called being "Sharia-compliant."
That is what western Europe will soon be and what moslems want the rest of the entire world to be. Think of it -- the entire world ruled by a set of 7th century intolerant laws handed down by an invisible being that NO ONE has ever seen or talked to. Mohammed never talked directly to allah and allah never talked directly to mohammed, the qur'an was handed down to mohammed second hand by a supposed angel or was it a jinn?
@ 17:42 September 20, 2012 by raandy
no I am not a falconer, but I do admire the tercel. I only post scripture when moslems quote their scripture out of context which they do most of the time.
Muslims oil... most of the Arabs now living in Northern Africa, the Sinai-Africa-West Asia, what is now called the Middle East?
Most of the population in the region are decent of European Squatters, Western Asians and Ottoman Empire Caretakers of African resources as a result of Colonization and the spoils of war claimed by the Conquers from Europe and the USA after WWII.
I find it comical that you ask such elementary questions about Christianity under the belief that your questions do not have answers. Just because you are confused, does not mean the rest of us are. As I was preparing to answer your questions one-by-one, I came up with a better idea. Rather than answer your simpleton questions on what Christians believe, I decided to let you continue to believe your silly questions stump us all in the hope that you will post them again on other sites so others like us here have the fortunate opportunity to see what a complete fool you are.
But you are off the hook, because just when I began to believe your post was the most uninformed post I have ever read, along comes @theibmsstate (#90) to bail you out and take your place in the stupidity corner. For that you owe him a nice dinner.
@Englishted
You can thank your buddy @theibmsstate for finding a topic that I actually agree with you on. Prior to his post, I was sure the only chance you and I would ever agree on anything would require hell to freeze over first. And guess what? Yup, it is frozen, and guess who is buried under its ice?
Great point. If UK were behaving like the uncivilized people then they would have invaded France/Italy over the Duchess photos.
In UK, you will find lots of Pakistani families with 10+ kids.
.....It is not because people are getting enlightened by the teachings of Koran.....
Lot of people won't see what you are seeing. They will realize it only when the temples and church steeples start becoming minarets. At that point it is too late.
1. Wiki leaks
2. Why courts order not to publish katmidelton topless pictures
Recent Wars
war casualties in iraq and afghanistan, massacre in sabra and shattela camps, massacre in bosnia.
1. what happend to moros in spain
2. what did itly in lybia
3. what did france in north arfica
4. what did holland in indonesia
5. what did england in united india in 1957
6. who is responsible for world war1 and 2
7. who is responsible for Hiroshima and nagasaki
I do not like racism either. I know very few Americans that say 'ALL" of Islam is to blame. Even on Fox news it is normal to hear "the radical sect or terrorists" before any discussion about the violence in the Middle East. And I do correct those that say Islam in general. So I guess you are a victim of propaganda from the other side. But, One of the frustrations that we in the West have. Is a perceived lack of trying (by the moderate Muslims) to rid Islam of those radicals that are giving Islam a bad name. It's easy for a moderate to say something from a free country. But the good Islamic people need to clean up their own from within the Islamic countries. When any outsider does it. It's seen as an attack on ALL Muslims. I have asked and will continue to ask the moderate Muslims. What is your solution? The only thing close to an answer was from a radical on this forum that espouses the extermination of ALL infidels. So, At some point in time. More and more non-Muslims WILL start to think that all Muslims are the same as the terrorists. That would be sad and unfair.
From your post, "seriously i don't know how i'll teach my kids about right & freedom when people dont respect our rights & freedom"
Really? Do you live in a non-Muslim country? Many Muslims do. That in it's self is pretty amazing and open minded compared to what would face a non-Muslim in some Islamic countries. I see plenty of women wearing head coverings. I haven't witnessed any violence upon them.
@trevzns #78
From your post, In Western society and specificity in Germany and in the US, it is not tolerated and is illegal to make negative or insulting comments regarding the Holocaust, Judaism or Christianity.
You may want to google controversial religious art in the USA. And especially "p**s christ. It was a piece of art made by an American. He took a small crucifix of Jesus and sealed it in a jar filled with his own urine. People did protest. But he was not killed for his 'art" And to educate you. There are no 'laws" against negative comments about religion in the US.
Any compromise on free speech, any compromise on liberty in the hope it will gain a few moments of security is naïve.
Those who would sacrifice any amount of liberty for a perceived gain in security deserve neither.
Free speech, however ugly, however hurtful, is essential if liberty is to prevail over tyranny.
It is a stupid film but it must be allowed.
"...when PAKISTAN stop NATO tankers and food and other stuff then they didnt have tissue papar to clean their asses..."
Remember Berlin Airlift....we supported an entire city. That was a long time ago.
If NATO is giving Pakistan money for the tankers to pass, it is so because you guys can buy some food and toilet paper to clean your asses.
We can do better than Berlin airlift to support the troops in Afghanistan.
There's also the fact that the media usually associates the word the word "Muslim" with the word "terrorism".
I live in Germany, & for the first month or so my daughter kept asking why people are staring at me.I explained that I look different & they're surprised; I also made her understand that if she stared at people who look or act different they'll be uncomfortable too. It was good because it gave me a chance to explain what diversity means & that we should respect people's choices; but it still makes me VERY uncomfortable.
but have you seen the number of people commenting on this post who are being offensive? some people just do it for the hell of it, which is annoying on a whole new level. It's a general rule really, any given group of people is diverse within itself; no matter how large or small this group is. Stereotyping is just wrong...
2) People making videos like that are terrible human beings.
3) The violent protests are instigated by al-Qaeda and politically motivated.
Now can we please stop wasting our time?
What possible reason do you dress to stand out ,it is not religious it is cultural so change your dress and then people will not stare .
If you can't why not ?.
Thank you.
"But education is always a key solution. I know "Discover Islam" (a UK based Islamic organization) will be visiting Egypt soon"
Lets hope that maybe they could instill a little moderation in Islamic education.
I stand corrected and I will attempt to clarify my statements.
The US is one of the few Countries where freedom of religion, freedom of speech and freedom of expression have few restrictions. Regarding this topic, most US Americans are a bit more tolerant and respectful of religion.
I did google the crucifix in a jar. However in Avignon, France, no one died, but some Christians were not so tolerant. Despite the security guards assigned to protect the artwork at the gallery, a group of Christian protesters destroyed the crucifix photo.
Most people and religious Institutions do not respond well to criticism and humor directed at their beliefs...real or fictional.
I certainly hope and prey that your scenario does not come to pass. And that the good folks on both sides see the danger in not addressing the radical element in Islam.
I'm not so sure I would question the resolve of the west though. We can and will get really nasty. Because, right now we really haven't unleashed the dogs in the middle east.
At this point in time. The west is trying to dance around and get the bad guys while trying to limit as much as possible any "collateral damage". But if the people of the west feel backed into a corner. You can rest assured that the partisan politics will quickly disappear and the population will support a scorched earth policy. Also remember that China, Russia, And Europe will then realize that they would also be threatened by an Islamic world war. Yes there might be 1.5 billion Muslims. But there are 7 billion people on earth and 5.5 billion of them aren't Muslim.
Remember. America was slow to anger and enter into WWI, WWII. And we were even slow to get fully involved in Frances problems in Vietnam. But the American people didn't see Vietnam as a real threat like the politicians did. And as such. The politicians were reticent to go at it full force as they didn't have the full support of the people. We were doing the dancing around thing and trying surgical attacks.
But again. I would most certainly prefer a peaceful solution.
Well said.
I am very confused about Western religions. Why do you hate each other so much? I can understand why other religions hate Islam and its followers. Why do you (Christians and Muslims) hate Jewish people?
If your Prophets came from the same lineage, why hate each other to the point that you want to kill the other on site? Don¦#39;t your religions teach you to look for the enemy within yourself?
....America was slow to anger and enter into WWI, WWII. ....Perfect wussies! You entered both the wars in the last quarter when everyone were exhausted. This discussion is for another time and day.
@stopislam
Every religion, other than Islam, has a different psyche. All religions respect and adopt nicer aspects of other religions into them. If you don¦#39;t adapt it is no big deal. Islam is the only one that will not adapt but want you to adapt to its ways. If you don¦#39;t adapt to its ways the only choice is death or leave your homeland. There is one thing I do like about Islam is that the prayer session. They pray together without any racial, caste, social status types of discrimination. This is one thing in Islam that other religions can adopt into their religions.
I only mentioned the past in response to andromeda1177's deleted post. And I do believe it's valid. Our leaders WANTED to get in the fight much earlier. But the citizens felt that it was not our fight. Until sufficiently provoked.
As for your post #116. It's so complex it would take a collage course to learn where it went wrong. I'm certainly no expert. I think the main point of Christians about the Jewish. Is that they (the Jewish) do not believe that Jesus has yet come for the first time and are still in the "old testament" waiting for him to come. Christians believe Jesus has already come and died for their sins.
I always try and break it down to simple concepts as I'm a simple person. It mostly comes down to lusting for power and money between the flesh & blood leaders of the various religions. And remember. For many hundreds or thousands of years. The people within a religion got ALL their religious teachings from a leader of that church. Most could not read. Printing was not yet around. All it took to lead the people astray (in any religion) was for a person without honor that had a leadership position in a church to teach false things.
Also,
All of us are born without hate and racism. It is learned from those around us who would teach it to the innocent children, our parents, religious leaders, political leaders.
Tell me again, why we are suppose to hate the Nazis?
What does hating the Nazis have to do with Muslims or this discussion?
Why did our government let those people(muslims) in our country? They( the government) never asked the people(us) how we felt about letting muslims in they just did it against our will. The people say deport.
Warum hat unsere Regierung ließ diese Menschen (Muslime) in unserem Land?
Why did our government let those people(muslims) in our country?
If you have to ask warum-why?
The German people and its WWII Government at the end of WWII were defeated....conquered and unconditionally surrendered.
You should consider more studying of German history, about 275 years ago leading up to WWI, WWII and the 1960s and the German governments agreement with Turkey. That agreement was typical of post WWII geopolitics in Europe and Germany.
Post WWII Germany has recovered and prospered from its defeat and its due to the German people and the diversity of the non-German peoples.... maybe thats why?
We all have to conform to our society, there are rules we have to follow, there is no free lunch but if we are to consider ourselves a free society we must be free to make our own judgements.
If you bother to watch this video clip it is a satire in poor taste and I was unable to stand more than a few minutes of it, the only reason that so many people have seen it is due to the organized hate campaign that has been mounted against it by Muslims
All people must follow the laws of the country that they choose to live in, if in all conscience you are unable to do this then you must leave and go and live in a country where the laws are those that you can obey
This number for itself is insignificant for this matter - There is almost no terror from asian muslims (Indonesia is the biggest Muslim country in the world, never heard of an Indo terrorist), nor from most below-the-equator Africa.
The problem lies in those middle eastern countries, and to the east of it - Syria to Pakistan. Their goverments let the extremist be. Syria and Iran are (Syria were...) the largest exporters of terror in the world.
Have you ever questioned yourselfs - so many Muslim countries, how many of them are democracies, or something close to that? You'll find that number very close to zero.So there's something wrong with that, I just can't put my finger on the problem - Is it the faith itself? Is it the people who follow it? Don't know.
About the fact that it is the fastest growing religion - well, no offence, but cancer is growing rapidly too. Both are choices of lifestyle.The fact that it is growing does not prove a thing, certainly not that it is "True". After all, it is clearly based on older mono religions, so If I had to choose i'd take Judaism or Christinanity before Islam .
For the claim that Muslims don't attack others - well, that is ignorance. Tell me how many Churches or Synaguges were built in the last 3 years in those Muslim states. And ho many Musques were built in non-muslim countries? Hundreds. It is not for the lack of Jews or Christians in their countries - Muslim states generally forbid building these. And another fact - someone here states that Christians slaughtered Muslims.I guess he doesn't know that most Muslims are killed by... Muslims, on religeous basis. Shiits kill Sunnies and vice versa - that's Iraq, for example, then Gaza, Lebanon, etc.
They teach in Syria, Gaza, Egypt and Lebanon that Jews are the devils, that they slaughter innocent muslims - and they this starts in kindergarten classes. They have anti Jewish (sorry, anti Zionist) movies and series produced each year. "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion" is still a major hit in these countries.
So can they tell us what to say and how to behave? How can anti-democrats tell the democrats how to use democracy?
1. A nun can cover herself from head to toe = devoted to God. A muslim woman does the same = Brain washed and suppressed.
2. A western woman leaves her job and stays at home to raise her kids = a loving and sacrificing mother who is respected by all. A muslim does the same = suppressed by her husband.
3. A girl wears provocative, cleavage revealing, short clothes to school = Freedom, A muslim wears a head scarf = should be banned.
4. A western soldier flies all the way to another country and kills ppl = Hero. A muslim protects his children in the occupied land of palestine = Terrorist.
5. A christian attacks and kills a group of innocent ppl = mentally ill or a criminal (no religion mentioned). A muslim does that = it's islam's fault.
6. If a western person does a mistake = his/her fault. A muslim does a mistake = Islam's fault.
7. Insulting a religion and a prophet and making fun of the believes of muslims = freedom of speech. Just questioning the Holocaust = criminal act.
8. Killing westerns (even in other lands) = a crime. Killing civilians in Iraq = Collateral damage.
9. Imprisoning a western drug smuggler or a sex offender in any arab land = We are being targeted. Imprisoning thousands of ppl without any trial or evidence in Guantanamo = security measure.
That is freedom of speech in your land.
¦quot;war casualties in iraq and afghanistan, massacre in sabra and shattela camps, massacre in bosnia.¦quot;
and @nirmal #131 with long list of items
Do you have any proof for these things that happened? Where is the evidence? Isn't that muslims killing muslims?
@cynicoren #130
It is very likely that you will be banned from this site for pointing out your concerns. You presented your concerns very well just like @andromeda1177 did in posting #114. Freedom of speech seems to be selective on this website.
To paraphrase @andromeda ¦quot;The Muslim community will use the local policies against the local community to implement Sharia law in that land.¦quot;
Apples do rot from the inside out.
Presently in the Federal Republic of Germany, freedom of speech and freedom of expression has restrictions. As for the Federal Republic of the USA, democracy and freedom of religion....for whom? The Christian, Jewish and Islamic slave owners and their descendants created civil right laws to modify the quasi Apartheid laws that existed in the USA. Whether it was 140 years or 48 years ago, human rights and civil rights issues still exist for many people and woman in the USA.
On what moral or social standing can American, European, Arab or Islamic governments lecture on religion and human rights? What is the difference between a reforming oppressor, enslaver and that of a unreformed oppressive enslaver? All have past and present traditions of sexism and bigotry. The justification for crimes committed against humanity is fulfillment of ancient unverifiable religious stories.
If a supreme being created all there is and one human race, why select a chosen group of people to oppress and enslave other human beings?
What is pernicious and reprehensible, the elaborate charade of western religious traditions and ideology that retard critical thinking and human progress.
Your media does not talk about these things extensively and tries to hid such facts as Wech Baghtu wedding party attack.. go and google before asking me for evidence.. there are many incidents.. specially in Afghanistan and Iraq.. just two weeks ago Nato forces killed 8 women in Afghanistan.. but of course you never read about that.. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19616356
...WOW. ...LOL.
It has always been about revenue and the fantasy to believe. The attempts to justify copy, paste and reinvent versions of religion and world history...is WOW, LOL.
At least I will say that we in the west have not been perfect and have made lots of mistakes. I think we need to leave the middle east. Of course. I don't think the Taliban nor Al qaeda want the west out. Because if the west leaves and terrorist attacks continue. Well then. That would clearly show it really wasn't our presence that was the issue.
Post#131
#1 A nun chooses to wear her habit and does not HAVE to wear it away from the church. Islamic Sharia law demands that every women must by law cover up.
#2 who said that? A Muslim women must walk in a subservient manner several steps behind her husband, is not allowed to drive nor even be outside without said husband. What happens to an adulteress in the middle east under Sharia law?
#3 Most of the people on here said the girl in question was not dressed properly. Banning head scarves? No! It was a burka or full face covering.
#4 Apples to oranges. How about a radical Islamist that flies planes into buildings in another country= Hero in the middle east.
#5 I assume you mean Breivik. He is a xenophobe nationalist. The Christian bible states that non believers will be dealt with by God himself not us earthly mortals. So if a Christian kills in the name of God he proves that he is in fact NOT a Christian.
#6 The "mistake" made by a radical Muslim is usually preceded by yelling Allahu Akbar. Which kind of points directly at Islam.
#7 Google "piss Christ" Made by an American artist. Who wasn't killed or sent to jail. Questioning the Holocaust is not against the law every where in the west. I believe only Germany is it illegal.
#8 The US has in fact charged members of the military with murder for deliberately killing civilians in the middle east.
#9 Most people I know. Do not have a problem with another country dealing with a drug smuggler.
775 detainees have been brought to Guantanamo. Most of these have been released without charge. The United States government continues to classify many of these released detainees as "enemy combatants". As of September 2012, 166 detainees remain at Guantanamo. Thousands? Post #136 Heard it on Foxnews the very same day it was on the BBC. http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/09/16/afghan-officials-say-8-women-killed-in-airstrike/
1. Have you ever been to arab or islamic countries? many if not the majority of women do not cover their heads.. you could visit let's say Kuwait, Emirates, Morocco, Egypt.. etc.. etc.. do not take and just for knowledge (which is surely biased due to the media). EVEN in Saudi arabia you could see women without a head scarf.. yes.. islam tells them to cover their heads.. no.. islam does not FORCE them to do that.. it is between them and God.. there is nowhere in the Quran or Sharia that says they should be punished or anything like that.. if something like that happens then that is due to cultural/tribal mentality of some men. IT HAS NOTHING to do with Islam. In fact according to Islam there is nothing like honour killing like what happens in some specific places like Jordan. I have no idea from which sources do you get the notion that Islamic Sharia law demands that every woman must by LAW cover up?? get me an islamic source.. not something written by a biased Christian or Jew or a non believer.
2. Again biased media.. there is nothing like that in Islam.. the only country where women do not drive is Saudi Arabia.. and just for your information.. Saudi law allows them to drive.. their husbands do not .. that will change with time.. you can not blame Islam for these tribal mentalities carried by them.. and you can not generalise things when ALL other islamic countries allow women to drive..!! There is nothing in islam about women walking behind their husband as well.. get your facts straight.. not from Murdoch Media..
3. http://nakedlaw.avvo.com/government/banning-hijab-anti-veil-laws-around-the-world/
That is an answer for your point. HEADSCARF is banned in many places in Europe.. read this article.. just for you information.. even in the middle east.. covering the face is not allowed in many places and jobs.. covering the face is again not in Quran or Sharia.. it is a cultural thing.. do not mix religion with culture..
4. A radical who flies a plane into buildings is not a Hero in the middle east.. i spent half my life in the middle east and I was there during the 9/11 attacks.. most of the ppl considered that to be awful.. IF you READ Quran yourself you would know that things like that are not allowed and even not tolerated.. a criminal is a criminal.. killing innocent ppl is not a part of Islam as the medial claims.. they always take half of a verse and put it to public.. when it says (if you are attacked then attack the non-believers) they just take the second half and show you (attack the non-believers).. I am sure many of you won't agree with that.. but read the Quran yourself.. don't let the media guide you with half truth..
5. That is a stupid comment (sorry).. even Islam does not allow terrorist acts.. and God will deal with them as well.. but you never mention that in media.. you just say Islam is a religion of terrorism.. don't you? Why?
6. Stop watching movies!! Who told you so?? by the way Allahu Akbar means God is great.. which is true.. even a christian is supposed to say God is great!! It has nothing to do with your identity or religion.. God IS GREAT!!!
7. A list of so called FREE-SPEACH countries where holocaust denial is considered illegal or partially punishable: Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel (of course), Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, The Netherlands (partially), Poland, Portugal, Romania, Switzerland.. some of these countries just state (genocide) instead of Holocaust specifically to avoid criticism..
8. Seriously? It was only recently that ring leader of a group of US soldiers who killed three innocent Afghans for sport on different occasions and kept their body parts as trophies was given a term of imprisonment, with chance of parole in less than ten years, which means the beast could be out in even a year or two. JUSTICE? NO!!!
9. I agree.. but every time an american or european is caught in the middle east doing some crime they whole media back home starts a campaign demanding his or her release and claiming is innocence.. the embassy interferes.. all because it is in the middle east!!
Most of them release without charges.. hmmm.. because they were detained for long periods for no reason!! WHY? were they compensated? why were the detained at all?? just for fun?? are we allowed to detain a German in Riyadh for one year and then just release him without any charges? NO!! it is illegal even in the middle east!!
Thanks for the reasoned response and civil tone. Something that has been lacking on both sides of the issue. I really try to look at things in a reasonable manor. I can't repeat it enough that there have been huge mistakes made by the west. I also think that huge mistakes have been made by moderate Muslims too.
Part of the problem has been the ongoing argument involving bits of information. I.E. Your 9 points of contention about the west. And my 9 counter points. Doesn't really solve anything does it? I assume you are Muslim. Your point of we in the west not having the "correct" information. With all of the oil money in the middle east why doesn't any moderate organization buy air time in the west? Why do the Muslim people seemingly flee from their countries to come to the west rather than try and work to fix their own country? Why won't the educated moderates fight for the freedom of their own people from the likes of the Taliban/ Al Qaeda?
I have asked other moderate Muslims on this site to give me "a westerner" a solution to the problems. I have had one answer. And that was that the moderates need to educate their young to what the real Islam is all about. That's great for the future. But we have big problems right now. It is my contention that Islam has to be cleaned up from within. So far no one has stepped up to the plate. And as long as Islam refuses to cleanse from within. Others will do it from outside. Which hasn't worked.
So I will ask you. (if you are Muslim and moderate) What is your solution?
The problem is that muslims have given themselves permission to lie when dealing with non believers so how can we believe anything you have to say on this subject? It might very well be all part of some trick or subterfuge to hoodwink us into believing that there is a "moderate" islam when in reality there is only one form which aims to subjugate the rest of the world. With 22,000 muslims acts of terrorism since 9/11 this is not an academic question.
watch?v=BDnSxPZWCjw
Thanks for your respectful discussion.
Yes, I am a muslim.
I completely agree with you that there is a problem in the arab and islamic world. Almost all that you have mentioned is correct. The problem does not lie in Islam, it lies in the followers and the politicians.
Money is the number one reason for all the problems worldwide. Why do the arab leaders cling to their thrones? for wealth.. every single attack or act of terrorism has a political motive.. but how to convince someone to kill himself? by sugar coating everything under the name of islam and jihad.. it is like what kamikazes used to do.. at that time honour and respect were used for sugar coating the act..
politically motivated muslim leaders are brain washing young adults and using them..
solution? there is no simple answer to that.. but what is happening in Egypt, Tunisia, Syria, Yemen, Libya .. etc will spread slowly to other lands.. and that might bring a solution.. who knows..
It was nice to have a discussion with a respectful person like yourself..
Thank you. I really do hope the folks pull their heads out of their bottoms and get on the right path. I fear it may not happen in my life time though. But then. I'm old.
I remember a guy once said.
If it weren't for the religious. Religion would be great.
Meaning the fire and brimstone zealot types tend to ruin it for everyone else. That goes for the politicians as well.
In posting #136
……http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19616356
In posting #139
…. 2. Again biased media……
It appears to me that you want to be selective with the media information you want to believe in. I won¦#39;t be surprised if you presented me a link with 9/11 as a western conspiracy and it was not hatched by the muslims against the west.
In posting #146
…I completely agree with you that there is a problem in the arab and islamic world. Almost all that you have mentioned is correct. The problem does not lie in Islam, it lies in the followers and the politicians….
This problem has existed for 1300 years since Islam has started. There has to be something to it. Repeatedly it is same pattern of behavior everywhere Islam went or wants to go.
Read the Koran you say?
In the Koran the religion of peace commands:
8:39 (fight until the whole world submits to Islamic law); 9:5 (kill the Infidels wherever you find them again); 9:29 (fight the Jews and Christians until they submit and pay jizya); 47:4 (behead the Infidels).
As I understand it each muslim must take every word of the Koran as the divinely inspired world of God. Therefore its not hard to reach a judgement concerning Islam. The West has worked hard to drag itself out of the middle ages, why should it permit itself to be dragged back into them by primitives just for the sake of some cheap labor.
Now that is what I meant. People who are biased like you use the part of the Verse that serves their agenda. Why did not you quote the versus that precede the ones you wrote down here???
For example, before reaching 8:39 there are 38 more verses.. where are they? Allah explains in verse 8:15 (O you who have believed, when you meet those who disbelieve advancing [for battle], do not turn to them your backs [in flight].) Which shows clearly that if someone is attacking you for battle then fight them.. 8:38 (Say to those who have disbelieved [that] if they cease, what has previously occurred will be forgiven for them. But if they return [to hostility] - then the precedent of the former [rebellious] peoples has already taken place.) and them comes 8:39.. which is regarding the people who return to hostility.. (And fight them until there is no fitnah and [until] the religion, all of it, is for Allah . And if they cease - then indeed, Allah is Seeing of what they do.) there is nothing like your half (fight until the whole world submits to Islamic Law) which is a usual lie from people like you who try to manipulate things.
9:5 is regarding a historical event that happened around 1400 years ago, the space here is not enough to write the whole story, I will give you the link to read the whole story behind it: http://www.muslimaccess.com/articles/jihad/kill_the_infidels.asp
47:4, you did the same thing here.. misquoting.. (So when you meet those who disbelieve [in battle], strike [their] necks until, when you have inflicted slaughter upon them, then secure their bonds, and either [confer] favor afterwards or ransom [them] until the war lays down its burdens. That [is the command]. And if Allah had willed, He could have taken vengeance upon them [Himself], but [He ordered armed struggle] to test some of you by means of others. And those who are killed in the cause of Allah - never will He waste their deeds.) It was about when you are in battle what should you do..
Now here is an example of how people like you show what they want to manipulate minds.. Quran 2:190-192 (Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed. Allah does not like transgressors.)(And kill them wherever you overtake them and expel them from wherever they have expelled you, and fitnah is worse than killing. And do not fight them at al-Masjid al- Haram until they fight you there. But if they fight you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers.)(And if they cease, then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.)
People like you will only remember the middle one (191)..
Muslims are supposed to take Quran as passages.. understanding the whole context.. and not just take one verse and ignore the others.. and your so called (judgement concerning Islam) is just your own BS.. if your reach a judgement by manipulating and misquoting then that is as biased and wrong as you are. I guess you should change your nick name to Onlythelies because you are so away from the truth.. I am not sure what makes you drag cheap labor in this discussion but surely it shows clearly your racist mentality.
Just for your info, whatever lies you come up after this post, I am not going to reply back.. in reality I might not even open this post again.. Quran 109:(Say, "O disbelievers, [1] I do not worship that which you worship, [2] nor do you worship the One whom I worship. [3] And neither I am going to worship that which you have worshipped, [4] nor will you worship the One whom I worship. [5] For you is your faith, and for me, my faith." [6])
This is how one learns. Anytime you have an open discussion, Things can seem fruitless. Sometimes doing as you suggest. And reading the Quran. Is a rather daunting task to say the least. It is far more productive to take the time and put it in context as you have. And will therefore narrow the search for answers for the non-Muslim.
Even for a Christian. Sitting down and reading the whole Bible at once and trying to make sense of the old terms of the ages when it was written down. One will generally come away with a headache.
I enjoyed your attempt to spin the Koran but unfortunately for your argument there are a lot of muslims who don't agree with you and who wage terrorist jihad as a islamic religious duty. In contrast how many Presbyterians have been arrested for waging war in the name of their religion? Jesus says to turn the other cheek and Mohammed says to kill the infidels wherever you find them. In a nutshell the problem is that many of your prophet's followers take his commands very seriously indeed.
That is a nice Hindu nick for a Muslim. I don¦#39;t know how much you have read about Islam¦#39;s history in India. Hindus have always incorporated other religious beliefs into their religion. Christians and Jewish people came to India long before the first muslim invasion into India. The crimes muslims have committed in the name of Allah, promising on Koran for peace and breaking the promise, span for more than 1200 years. The worst part is that Muslims are trying very hard to deny that the crimes happened and rewrite Indian history.
I don¦#39;t much about Jewish religion. Christians are not as angelic as they present themselves either. Comparatively, Christians are significantly much better than Muslims. Given a choice I would consider any major religions over Islam.
After reading and thinking about religion and religious discussions here and elsewhere, one thing has become clear to me. It is very easy to hate people and it is very difficult to love people. Showing respect to other people and their faith is the best path.
I don¦#39;t much about Jewish religion. Christians are not as angelic as they present themselves either. Comparatively, Christians are significantly much better than Muslims. Given a choice I would consider any major religions over Islam.
Considering the Judea, Christian and Islamic religions is the root cause for much of the worlds violence, hate, religious disputes and wars. Islam, Christianity and Judaism share the same basic principles and beliefs. Christianity has the old testament and accepts to some degree, the hebrew bible first five books as the word of god and Jesus as the messiah, son of god. Islam accepts the old testament and Jesus as a prophet.
With that said. As it has been mentioned here about reading religious text. Reading the Bible and Quran is helpful to understand just how much confusion, hypocrisy and corruption there is in religion. Finding an angelic Institution from the above group is questionable?
Nothing much has changed since the inventions of the aforementioned religions and todays interpretations and practices. There is still abuse, dominance and submission of woman. In the Bible there are many crimes committed against humanity by the direction of spiritually inspired messengers and prophets. Justifying rape of young girls, murder of babies and the elderly in the name of YHVH, Allah and God.
If a supreme being and creator of our expanding Universe, has time to meddle in human affairs and commands such actions that includes favoritism, slavery, indifference to human life, land disputes, bigotry and violence. What does that say about the character of that supreme being?
Is that supreme being loving, righteous and respectful or an unjust, ungodly hypocrite?
When people are allowed to think for themselves, they start to question the wisdom of what they're doing, which is why no criticism of Islam is allowed and violently fought against by its leaders. The communists had a name for those who aided their cause without question - "useful idiots". Criticism of Islam is not allowed because it can not stand up to critical review. I mean, to start with, founded by a moon worshipping pedophile? Seriously?
I prefer a God who can defend himself without needing his followers to act like mindless primitives in his defense (Matthew 26: 52 & 53).
Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
The Constitution of the United States of America is the model for all nations and peoples attempting to define and protect personal liberty.
Everyone has a right to their own opinion and the right to communicate it. There is hardly anything that can be said that someone won't find offensive, which is why all speech must be protected. There are already too many restrictions on speech and they should be eliminated. The only censorship there should be is that which we impose on ourselves (for instance, it is probably not a good idea to insult Islam when you are alone in a crowd of Muslims, unless you are willing to accept the consequences).
Respect needs to be earned and justified. I don't respect your religion or your choice of religion, in fact, I strongly disapprove of both. If you have made other contributions, I _may_ respect you as a human being despite your religion.
"we the muslims have never made fun of anyone\s god or religion then y insulting us like this"
Many Muslim nations oppress other religions and have the death penalty on atheism.
Thats funny. Perhaps had GEMA been entrusted with the rights for this movie that offends muslims no one would have seen it, at least until the rights had been organized. Until then folks who wanted to view an anti muslim film would have had to watch another one or make their own.
Its ironic that an organization that fights for artists rights in germany might have done a favor for some of those who complain so bitterly when GEMA stops them from ripping off content creators.
http://youtu.be/znVqyfxfbRQ
Islam tolerates other religion? Are you kidding me. In Egypt, you have full-scale pogroms against the Copts. Saudi Arabia won't even allow you to bring a Bible into the country. In Iran, the mullahs murdered Bahais by the thousands after seizing power. In Sudan, the Arab north conducted a war of genocide against the Christians and animists in the South. Heck, all over the Mideast Sunnis and Shiites are killing each other over who's the best Muslim!
Spare me this "Islam tolerates other religions" garbage. Islam is the least tolerant religion on the planet.
Now that Egypt is turning toward Iran and hoping to have Iran supply it with nuclear weapons. I would love to hear the follow up. Or Libya, would do as well.
And maybe a follow up, to the coverage of Obama's Nobel Peace Prize.
http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/10/19/new_poll_egyptians_turning_toward_iran_want_nuclear_weapons
Make love not pray!
"On 04.12.2012 in the afternoon, an historic keynote address by the world leader of an Islamic community, to be delivered in the European Parliament, will urge politicians to seek faith-inspired solutions for conflicts rooted in geo-political causes. With the unfolding conflict in the Middle East clearly in mind, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, supreme Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, will tackle head-on the issue of eliminating extremism and promoting peace based on international justice. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is established in 200 countries and is one of the oldest Muslim communities across Europe and America. His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad is the world¦#39;s leading Muslim figure promoting peace. His addresses delivered around the world, including Capitol Hill and Westminster, have advocated ways to broker peace in an increasingly globalized and conflict-ridden world. Fundamentally, His Holiness calls for the quest for justice to be put on a par with peace. He stresses that true justice springs from faith and that revealed scriptures, which millions of people hold dear, provide the framework for delivering that very justice they seek. His Holiness said: The establishment of world peace is the most vital and pressing issue facing the world today. However, the truth is that peace and justice are inseparable you cannot have one without the other. There is little doubt that restlessness and anxiety is increasing in the world, and so disorder is spreading, which is a clear indication that somewhere along the line the requirements of justice are not being fulfilled. World political leaderships have their creative and intelligent minds focused on ideas, plans and indeed a vision of peace. Thus, this issue does not require me to speak from a worldly or political perspective; instead my entire focus will be based on how to establish peace based on religion. For this purpose I shall present some very important guidelines based on the teachings of the Holy Qur¦#39;an. His Holiness will deliver his address at the European Parliament, Brussels, on Tuesday 4 December. Hosted by The European Parliament ¦#39;Friends of the Ahmadiyya Muslims¦#39; Group, the event will be chaired by Dr Charles Tannock MEP with Vice-Chairs Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP, Tunne Kelam MEP and Claude Moraes MEP.''