The Scotsman is quoting British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw as saying, "If people looked at these cartoons and were to replace the images of the Holy Prophet with images of Jesus Christ or the Virgin Mary, they can see that, even in our culture, if they were directed at the Judeo-Christian traditions, there would be similar outrage."
Right. And where was he when the films "Hail Mary" and "The Last Temptation of Christ" were being protested? Were the theatres being burned down? Did anyone storm Martin Scorcese's home and burn it down? Did people burn the American flag or threaten the theatre owners or Scorcese or the actors with death? I protested at a theatre in Minneapolis that showed Hail Mary and nothing like that happened.
Here's a note I sent Mr. Secretary via the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's feedback website:
Secretary Straw,
You are quoted in The Scotsman as saying, "there would be similar outrage" if the cartoons had been of Jesus or Mary.
How wrong you are. Not only have there been innumerable cartoons, there have been blasphemous films (Hail Mary, The Last Temptation of Christ) and more novels than you can shake a stick at. Were embassies burned? Were flags or books burned? Were murderous threats uttered? No! People peacefully demonstrated, prayed the Rosary in front of theatres, boycotted advertisers, etc. But no violence was ever done or even threatend.
That's because we're talking about two different religions here -- one teaches its followers to love their enemies and forgive; the other teaches its followers to cut off their enemies' heads or to subjucate them.
Please be truthful and don't say stupid things just to placate crowds. The truth cannot be sacrificed for the sake of mere pacification.
Monday, February 06, 2006
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