Dear readers,
My recent post on Geert Wilder’s film about Islam, called ‘Fitna’, caused quite a stir and got a lot of comments. If you read the comments section for this post, you will notice that many people defended Islam on the grounds that the vast majority of Muslims are peaceful (which they are) and that Wilder’s film merely uses selective evidence to try and portray Islam as an dangerous religion. Well, look what I found in the news this morning:
This photo featuring posters of Geert Wilders was taken during a rally outside the Dutch Embassy yesterday in Jakarta, Indonesia. According to Indonesia’s president, world leaders had a ‘moral responsibility’ to take action against this film. Just in case you were wondering, the posters say: “Death sentence for insulting Islam”.
15 responses so far ↓
I albion // April 2, 2008 at 12:01 pm |
Every one keeps saying “the majority of Muslims are peaceful”no! they just keep quiet,keeping quiet till it suits you is not the same as peaceful.
Letters From A Tory // April 2, 2008 at 12:09 pm |
That’s an interesting way of looking at it. People assume that the only Muslims who don’t agree with freedom of speech are the ones who protest in the streets, but I very much doubt it is that simple.
asquith // April 2, 2008 at 3:47 pm |
Yes, with Islam as in other religions the “moderates” are basically creating the conditions in which “extremists” can thrive. The only answer is to loudly and clearly make the case for a secular liberal democracy.
Letters From A Tory // April 2, 2008 at 4:02 pm |
I would very much support a movement along those lines. I am sick and tired of religion mixing with politics and it’s about time we separated them.
asquith // April 2, 2008 at 4:23 pm |
Well, there are The Brights…
http://www.the-brights.net/
I’ve been inspired by the work of Richard Dawkins. Not so much The God Delusion, more his earlier work. All his books are worth reading. By expressing a full, coherent secular humanism we can compete against the various believers in the marketplace of ideas.
Letters From A Tory // April 2, 2008 at 4:46 pm |
I’m not sure that we need to ‘compete’ with anyone. We just need to remove religion from all state-funded institutions and start emphasising tolerance, respect and British values to everyone of every religion at every age.
Candid // April 2, 2008 at 4:49 pm |
I don’t like Richard Dawkins but I do like the way he thinks and his books are amazing.
It’s ridiculous that we live in such an advanced society where rational thinking is overtaking religious dogma and yet we shy away from standing up to the muslim automatons that don’t seem to be able to question their faith or anything that the old bearded imam’s say.
Islam is not a peaceful religion – no religion is a peaceful religion – they all insight hatred. A ban on religion and worshipping might just sort the problem.
asquith // April 2, 2008 at 5:26 pm |
Yes. I honestly am aghast that religion is becoming more and more powerful and influentual. It’s just beyond my understanding!?
Letters From A Tory // April 2, 2008 at 5:35 pm |
Not all religions are. The government are only desperate to appease Muslims instead of looking at the broader picture in the UK that encompasses a huge number of religious groups.
Only a secular society can bring everyone together – giving special treatment to one group fosters anger and resentment.
Ellee // April 2, 2008 at 6:07 pm |
It’s not religion that worries me, but fanatacism.
asquith // April 2, 2008 at 6:28 pm |
Yes, but define “fanaticism”.
Colin Campbell // April 2, 2008 at 8:26 pm |
Scary stuff, especially after what happened to Mr Van Gough.
Letters From A Tory // April 2, 2008 at 9:45 pm |
I hear you. Mr Wilders has been under police protection for months, but I wouldn’t be surprised if some fanatic took him out (not that any British politician would stand up for freedom of speech if he was tragically murdered, but still….)
Candid // April 3, 2008 at 12:49 am |
From my atheist viewpoint ‘fanatasism’ is equal to ‘religious belief’. To have religious/mystical beliefs is to believe in the unproven and unstudiable. This leads to factions, which in turn leads to warfare equivalent to a tribal nature. This is well represented in our evolutionary past and is somewhat reflected in sports team supporters. This tribal throwback also means that religious believers are equivalent to hooligans – a menace to society.
To threaten anyone with torture/death is to have a complete disrespect for life. As we have only one life before the worms recycle us, atheists are unlikely to ever want to take that away from anyone and so it is the belief in heaven or an afterlife that encourages suicide bombings, kamakaze pilots and ‘martyrdom’.
Religion is dangerous
Muslimah // April 18, 2008 at 1:15 am |
A world without religion…would there be no war? no killing? no crime? no racism?..
To deny people their belief… in the name of democracy…the perfect paradox.