It is a funny time in history, something is brewing…
Did you know that Britain First have well over half a million likes on Facebook? That’s more than the SNP, Tories and Labour added together….
Pegida protests across Europe, the furthest corners of Islam protest against the covers of a magazine which suffered a terrible attack but now apparently represents most of Europe?
Thing is, all cultures and tribes have at their core shared beliefs, particularly about behaviour and what infringes on the rights of others.
I’m curious, do you think a naturist infringes on your rights by being naked on the street?
According to both western and Islamic societies, she does, it’s only the degree of acceptable clothing that is different.
Does a publisher infringe on your rights by mocking God, your beliefs and all you hold dear in front of a large audience? Yes in Islam but not any longer in the West.
This principle of “free speech” is not accepted across the world as correct, particularly not when it is warped into some free right to bully people and ridicule prophets.
Just as the mocking and shouting between kids usually deteriorates into a scrap outside the school gates, so does this irresponsible publishing easily deteriorate into violence and a war of societies.
You and I may choose to fight for our western principle of free speech but let us not pretend we don’t become fundamentalists ourselves- fundamentalists to our atheist western democratic belief system.
Is this western society really the light of the world we believe it to be?
If so, you would think that after 2015 years we would have learned to apply the golden rule and treat others as we want to be treated.
Free speech is of course incredibly important, but at the same time it should not be “warped into some free right to bully people and ridicule prophets”, as you say. People should have a certain level of respect for others and other religions, but those who do get offended need to recognise the right to free speech and not act on their feelings.
True talk
“According to both western and Islamic societies, she does, it’s only the degree of acceptable clothing that is different.”
Really? I’d go a little further in differentiating western liberal democracies from Muslim states by pointing out that she’s likely attract a fine, at worst, in a western country. In Saudi Arabia, God only knows what they’d decide was appropriate. Stoning? Beheading? Or maybe she’d get away with 1000 lashes.
Why should we in the west be bullied into organising our societies according to the norms of a primitive, alien, misogynist, homophobic, rabidly anti-Semitic religious culture? You seem to suggest we should submit to the bullies – always a bad move. Always.
Firstly:
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS FREE SPEACH IN THE WESTERN WORLD!!!
This is a general misconception. Freer than many regimes maybe but there’s a great many things that you can announce in Great Britain that will most definitely lead to jail time! How many you individuals have been given custodial sentences for flippant remarks on social media forums!
Free speech within reason maybe and most definitely must be within the LAW!
A general lack of understanding and ignorance leading to contempt for other cultures and an ever decreasing living space is creating a cauldron of problems!
Human nature does not differ throughout varying cultures, races or locations, we are all the same and have been for thousands of years whether we can admit it or not!
You would have thought that with our ever increasing knowledge gained throughout historical events that we would have improved how we treat our own species but it seems we just improve on ways of killing and maiming!
A little respect, courteousness and morality is all that is needed!
How many atheists do you know who want to bomb, maim and behead innocent people? How many wars were started by atheists fighting to promote their beliefs? I firmly believe and try to follow the principal of “Do unto others” I also resolutely uphold the right to freedom of speech, even when the views expressed are offensive or run counter to my values but I have no desire to behead or murder those who express them or their innocent families. Fundamentalist Islam is a primitive retrogressive culture which treats circa 50% of the population (women) as if they are inferior second class citizens. It deserves all the scorn and mocking that a civilised society feels inclined to dish out!
I would also point out your Freudian slip of confusing “naturalists” with naturists! If naturalists want to be naked in the street that would not be very clever because concealment is vital in the study of most of nature!!