There is a film causing a firestorm of hatred through the Islamic world. The fact that it was developed and produced in America doubtless fuels some of the passionate responses towards it. I have never seen the film and can therefore not comment on it directly.
It is a point of wonder to me though, how many of the people ina delirium of religious fervour have indeed seen the film. One need only recall the vitriol spat towards Salman Rushdie after publication of the 'Satanic Verses' by so many who had avowedly NOT even read the work to know that a mob response can be engendered without recourse to reason.
Which bring me to the core thought of this post. Why can people not be led by reason rather than passion? It worries me when the PM of Egypt calls for the criminalisation of criticism of Islam. Firstly how America chooses to govern herself internally is surely not his affair (unless it was to affect his country directly). Secondly, how can anyone call for the right to free speech be taken away?
The latter is an abiding principle of western civilisation. A principle tat is Worth defending. To have to protect a faith legally does not reflect well on the inner strength of that faith. Many Christians were insulted by Monty Python's 'Life of Brian' but the educated amongst them would not call for its eternal banning/censure. Nor would they take to the streets in angry mobs over it.
We can only hope that eventually whatever your faith, or lack thereof, we can all learn to tolerate and accept each other in the very short time we share this world.
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