Enough Is Enough

Well, I don't have much time to write this evening. It's getting a little late, and I need to get to bed, so I'll keep this pretty brief.

Congratulations to the Steelers

Well, it was a disappointing afternoon for Seahawks fans. The Steelers made the big plays and got some help from the officials (in my opinion, enough to change the outcome of the game, but maybe that's just sour grapes on my part). So, congratulations to Pittsburgh and the Steelers for winning the SuperBowl today.

The Seahawks had opportunities to win the game. They moved the ball well (against the Steeler defense that was supposed to completely shut them down) and played (for most of the game) excellent defense. The 'Hawks just couldn't finish with a score on too many drives. The officials took a couple of touchdowns away from the Seahawks on calls that were pretty questionable, if you ask me, and they gave the Steelers a touchdown when I really thought the 'Hawks had held. It's maddening when the officiating determines so many big plays in such a big game.

The Steelers, on the other hand, were able to hit on just a couple of plays that really clinched the outcome for them. The one long touchdown run at the beginning of the second half, and the "gadget" play for a touchdown later in the game were perhaps the difference. It was a heartbreaking way for the Seahawks to lose, but they had a great run, and I enjoyed watching them play this season.

All I can say is just wait until next year! Go Seahawks!

Defending Denmark, Defending Free Speech

On a more serious note - and this something I take very seriously.

The Islamists are at it again. They've burned down the Norwegian and Danish embassies in Syria and the Danish embassy in Lebanon was set on fire.

Why? Over some cartoons.

Yes. Cartoons. (Thanks to Michelle Malkin for the post and links. She has much more on this).

My ancestors came to the United States from Scandinavia (specifically Norway), and  my wife's did as well. She has fairly close relatives (cousins) living in Denmark still, so I find it rather disturbing to see their embassies being attacked and burned.

Now, I understand Muslims being upset at cartoons that they feel disrespect their religion. After all, people disrespect my religion all the time. I defend the right and even the reasonableness of Muslims to protest against the cartoons. I don't have any problems with them holding marches, boycotting Danish and Norwegian products, making speeches, demanding apologies. That's all fine by me - after all, I believe that they have a right to free speech, just as much as I do.

On the other hand, destruction of property and violence (or threats of violence) cross the line. Enough is enough. Muslims want me to respect their religion and traditions. Fine. I am willing to do so. At the same time, they must respect the rights and traditions of others. It's a two way street. They cannot demand respect, but at the same time not be willing to give it.

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution says this:

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 right to freedom of speech, and of religion, is guaranteed to me by this statement and is encoded in U.S. law. That right includes the right to follow any religion I choose, or none at all, and it also includes the right to criticize or, yes, ridicule and insult those same religions. Other "western" countries (those in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and so on) have similar rights, though the particulars of what is considered protected speech differ.

Muslims must understand that when I am in the United States it is my right, and one that I am very serious about defending, to speak freely about pretty much any topic I choose, including their religion. If they don't like it, that is just too bad for them, and threatening me with violence on account of what I say is against the law (and see Revised Code of Washington 9A.46.020).

Finally, I think it is perhaps instructive to examine the response of Christians to truly offensive and disgusting insults to our religion (like the Piss Christ "art" that I linked to above) versus the response of Muslim extremists to the cartoons originally published in a Danish newspaper.

Here's the Muslim extremist response:

This Reuters photo from Spiegel Online shows rioters in Syria set fire to the Danish embassy.

And here is what the Christian response should be, but too often isn't:

You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48 NIV

Perhaps the Muslims rioting, threatening death, and destroying property over some silly cartoons in an obscure Danish newspaper aren't living up to the standards of their religion, just as Christians often don't. I am not a scholar of the Koran, nor a Muslim, so I can't say. But I do know that, while many Christians were outraged and disgusted by the Piss Christ art (I hesitate to call it "art"), there was no rioting, and I have not heard of any threats of death against the artist. (And I looked for them). Yup, some people have taken extreme offense to what they perceive to be blasphemous artwork, and such artwork has been vandalized in some instances, but in nowhere have I seen any Christian response to extremely offensive art that was anywhere close to the Muslim extremist's response to the Danish cartoons.

Draw whatever conclusions you choose. Muslims claim that Jesus is a prophet in their religion as well, but they sure don't seem to have heard anything He said.

You know, in my opinion, a little tolerance goes a long way. Perhaps it would be for the best if media in the West would avoid inciting Muslims, and on the other hand, Muslims would respect Western laws and customs, most especially our rights and laws vis-à-vis free speech. If that had been the case before the cartoons were published, then none of this uproar would even be happening. I'm not sure it's possible, but I'll be praying for peace this week.

Permanent link