British Muslims are calling for a change in the Race Relations Act to stop images of the Prophet Mohammed being published.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/4694090.stm
They are planning a protest march in London on 18 February, which is expected to attract 20,000 to 50,000 people.
I am really worried about this. Not about the demo, I hasten to add ... London has loads of demos.
![Wink ;)](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
But about the campaign behind it.
I'm a Christian and I would not
dream of causing deliberate offence to a Muslim. But I can't help feeling that Islam in the West is now pushing for special privileges for itself, and I just can't countenance that.
I feel like saying to these Muslims: 'You feel like a religious minority? Well, so are we Christians. We all live in a liberal, secular democracy. The price we weird religious types pay for freedom of worship is freedom of expression. I don't condone offence to the Prophet being caused, but really, why should he be given special license over any other revered religious figure?'
HUH?????
And I might add a P.S.: 'You have freedom to protest in Britain. I will happily defend your right to do so. But you might spare a thought for the Christians in Muslim theocracies who do NOT have the freedom to worship - let alone protest.'
I applaud the moderate Muslims who are speaking out against the fanatics, and I want to make it clear that I do NOT regard all Muslims as a homogenous bunch ... I am well aware of the cultural diversity within the Muslim world.
I also accept that a moderate but deeply devout Muslim would be understandably offended by ANY images of the Prophet, let alone satirical ones. A Muslim poster on another board I visit has stated politely but unequivocally that in her religion no image is allowed of Mohammed, Jesus, Moses, et al. She said that it would be considered a form of idolatry and 'it is just not done.'
I understand that. Something in me admires that purity of devotion as compared with the "go ahead and insult Jesus, we really don't mind" attitude that can sometimes characterise the British churches.
But, even so. However many offensive things are said about Jesus Christ every day in our culture, I don't see Christians taking to the streets with 'Behead the enemies of Christ' banners. (I would be deeply disturbed if I did.)
I'm sorry, guys. You live in a liberal, secular, post-Christian democracy which does NOT believe that your religion is the way, the truth and the life. Please deal with it.
I guess I should look into the current blasphemy law in the UK as it applies to Christianity. I really am rather clueless about this ...
looks sheepish.
"Frodo undertook his quest out of love - to save the world he knew from disaster at his own expense, if he could ... "
Letter no. 246, The Collected Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien
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