Hardly Relevant: The Cartoon as the Clarion?

Thursday, February 23, 2006

The Cartoon as the Clarion?

What would Snoopy say? I am one of those awful people in this world that hold the belief that it's permissible to scrutinize (read openly criticize) organized religion. Yep, I do. If you want to worship a shaved goat while you're covered in Crisco, go for it. If however you choose to worship said goat for the purposes of seeking inspiration to strap a bomb to your body and carry it onto a bus filled with soup can worshipers because you believe to your core that the goat is the only God, you've opened yourself up. I am of course talking about the Muhammad cartoon that appeared in a Danish newspaper inflaming Muslims to the point of rioting and firebombing Danish embassies. When this story broke, it was reported by news outlets, that it is specifically prohibited under Islamic tenants to depict Muhammad graphically, let alone with a bomb in his turban. Hmmm, funny because there exist NUMEROUS graphical depictions of the Prophet dating back to 1550 CE (very, very old), of him ascending into the heavens during the Miraj. These depictions are Persian in origin and to my knowledge, caused no rioting. And, there's his likeness that keeps watch over the Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States....insert sound of needle being dragged across playing record here....Yep, there he is, a relief in marble in the inner chamber of the highest of high Courts, right in the belly of the great Satan. When it was carved, no one said boo. So what changed? Did Islam itself change, or did the practitoners of the ancient and respected religion change? Or, did either change? I've heard the complaint from those that are offended by the cartoon, and our media in the US that free speech seems to have passed over the Islamic world and that a double standard exists. Moreover, that there is a basis for a First Amendment defense of the cartoonist. Please, no Constitutional protections cover this situation. The cartoonist is Danish and in Danishland (kidding, Denmark) and the outrage is confined, for the most part, to the Middle East hence, NO FIRST AMENDMENT ISSUE. Further, no "constitution" stretches over the globe and the only free speech argument is limited to the discussion of the basic human right to express your opinion openly, no matter how offensive. So, please stop using the word Constitution in connection to this issue. Thanks, I had to get that out of my system. Moving on....Look, when one criticizes, speaks out against or otherwise knocks another’s religion, so long as it's not done in a "my God's better than your God, so I'm going to exterminate you" position, it's fair game. Let me say that again, IT'S FAIR GAME. Just what is it that is objectionable about calling another’s religion into question? Is it that having your faith questioned so shakes your faith to the core that you question it yourself? Look I'm a guy who respects everyone and anyone’s right to practice whatever faith they like, and I certainly don't go to parties, churches, Synagogues or Mosques to challenge others on their belief systems. I do however opine that when there is a body count associated with your chosen faith, you're subject to a little more scrutiny, criticism and yes, becoming the target of political cartoons. It's up to those that hold the belief that Muhammad was the Prophet to convince us that theirs truly is a religion of peace and non-violence, and right now, they are not doing a very good job of it and haven't for quite some time. So, what's the answer to the question "what changed"? Our world as a whole has changed. The cartoon has become the clarion, and the flaming Molotov cocktail has become the message. We are so thin skinned that the mere image of our deity in a cartoon incites us to act out against its wishes and kill our fellow man. This has nothing to do with Muhammad's image and everything to do with the perception of an insult originating from the evil that is the western world, spurred on by Judaism. This has everything to do with the execution of rage ignited by the most zealous and hateful among us to serve their own ends. Don't take my word for it, Google for jihadist training manuals. You'll find some glaring examples of hatred in the form of cartoons, leveled at anyone that they disagree with. But yet, no riots here. So my Muslim friends, put down the fists and pick up the pens. Show us what you've got.