Posted on May 29, 2015
Mohammad cartoon contest in front of a Phoenix Mosque. What are your thoughts?
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Culture
Islam
Freedom of Speech
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 85
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While I dont agree with it 100%... I have to ask...what about all the inflammatory mocking of Christ, Christians, and Jews take place on a daily basis...in media, TV shows, and by other religions...Are we to avoid this kind of mockery with Islam?... Or are we to refrain because they react with Violence...what is the real problem here?...I would argue the Islamic response to such mockery is the problem...
People murder Christians, Stage rallies outside of churches, mock Christdaily... SouthPark, Dave Chapelle, in fact just about everything on comedy Central...
People murder Christians, Stage rallies outside of churches, mock Christdaily... SouthPark, Dave Chapelle, in fact just about everything on comedy Central...
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SFC Robert Wheeler
Sgt Cowan, would you like to present some evidence of people here in this country burning the Bible, or accusing Christians of genocide, murder, and other grievous acts? Sure some people in the name of Christianity have killed abortion providers. Is that representative of all Christians? This is not mockery that this asshole is doing. Did you even read the article? This idiot does not make any distinctions between good and bad Muslims. He paints them all with the same broad brush. I suggest you rethink your stance.
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1LT Jonathan Cowan
I did read it and regardless of the reasoning it is the response and the action that is taking place...
In an age of "NO GO ZONES" in europe and now in some parts of America do to Sharia law and muslims we have become totally numb to the fact that Christians become offended and fear as well. nowhere does this man say kill people, nowhere does he say destroy all muslims. I can show you 100s of articles of people calling Christians crazy...Christians losing businesses because of their beliefs, and Christians being ridiculed for one reason or another... this is a protest... a Rally...
And in response to your evidence question I can gladly pull hundred of bible burning videos and articles if you like...but instead I will rebut... We hear daily about the horrors of the Crusades (which pale in comparison to Caliphates 1-4, and the Push for Islam across the middle east and into Europe over the past 1000 years. And people do not make distinction between Christians either when lumping Catholics, protestants, Pentecostals, snake handlers and baptists all into one... Your statement is the epitome of hypocrisy... I suggest you find a stance...one that makes sense...
In an age of "NO GO ZONES" in europe and now in some parts of America do to Sharia law and muslims we have become totally numb to the fact that Christians become offended and fear as well. nowhere does this man say kill people, nowhere does he say destroy all muslims. I can show you 100s of articles of people calling Christians crazy...Christians losing businesses because of their beliefs, and Christians being ridiculed for one reason or another... this is a protest... a Rally...
And in response to your evidence question I can gladly pull hundred of bible burning videos and articles if you like...but instead I will rebut... We hear daily about the horrors of the Crusades (which pale in comparison to Caliphates 1-4, and the Push for Islam across the middle east and into Europe over the past 1000 years. And people do not make distinction between Christians either when lumping Catholics, protestants, Pentecostals, snake handlers and baptists all into one... Your statement is the epitome of hypocrisy... I suggest you find a stance...one that makes sense...
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1LT Jonathan Cowan
And Also I will Re-iterate....I do not AGREE 100% with this mans actions or the actions of the people....I just dont see it as being any different than Rallys and mass prayers taking place in other countries and parts of ours... If someone is shot, killed, injured I would condemn it...but this is a rally... and a legal one at that...
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SSG (Join to see)
If your intentionally creating "art" to offend religious people then what your doing is wrong... it is most likely perfectly legal, however just because something is legal doesn't make it right. We should condemn "art" that is intentionally provocative and offensive to Christians (Cross in a jar of urine, pictures of Jesus having sex with men, ect) as well "art" that is provocative to other religions. If this was some guy drawing pictures of Mohamed in a newsletter, that's one thing... this is something entirely different.
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It is interesting that Siddiqi of the Council on American-Islamic Relations says that this is because of the "intersection of Islamaphobia and (the) gun culture."
When I was in Iraq, everybody had guns, it was their culture, and they are now definitely showing Chrsitianphobia.
I say do not back down on Freedom of Speech and the right to assembly. The only issue the followers of Islam have to worry about is if the demonstrators are attacked.
This is the United States of America and we should not bow down to any that do not support OUR way of life in OUR own Country.
You have the right to be offended.
When I was in Iraq, everybody had guns, it was their culture, and they are now definitely showing Chrsitianphobia.
I say do not back down on Freedom of Speech and the right to assembly. The only issue the followers of Islam have to worry about is if the demonstrators are attacked.
This is the United States of America and we should not bow down to any that do not support OUR way of life in OUR own Country.
You have the right to be offended.
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SSG (Join to see)
Despite the fact that most of our extremists identify as Christian, they have somehow managed to avoid referring to those hundreds of armed protesters gathering in from of their Mosque, who are attempting to provoke a violent response as Christian extremists. I could agree that they are expressing a little armed rightwing nutjobophobia, however they are not conflating that with Christianity. Good for them.
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SSG (Join to see)
@SFC James S. I believe your talking about the people doing the protesting.
First they are the victim of people who call their actions offensive (even though they support their right to be offensive). Second by attempting to provoke a violent response they hope to convince people that their view of Islam is the correct one. Third, if they get what they want in the form of a violent response they will have successfully managed to harm the religious liberty of Americans and the willingness of state and local government to tolerate provocative speech. You appear to be spot on.
First they are the victim of people who call their actions offensive (even though they support their right to be offensive). Second by attempting to provoke a violent response they hope to convince people that their view of Islam is the correct one. Third, if they get what they want in the form of a violent response they will have successfully managed to harm the religious liberty of Americans and the willingness of state and local government to tolerate provocative speech. You appear to be spot on.
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SSgt (Join to see)
Provocative? Yes. Disrespectful? Yes. In line with the teachings of Christ? Not in the least bit.
With that said, I can understand their ire. They are angry at what they perceive as a government preference towards a particular religion. Mainly because they see the current administration go out of their way to defend or downplay persecution by this particular group of people world wide.
I imagine the mindset of these people are "we have our rights, if you don't like it, feel free to try to stop it and oh, by the way, we'll be prepared". I'm not saying it's right, at all.
But, what is more disrespectful, lobbing heads off of Christians or a picture of the prophet Mohamed? Last I checked, a picture of a man hurts no one.
With that said, I can understand their ire. They are angry at what they perceive as a government preference towards a particular religion. Mainly because they see the current administration go out of their way to defend or downplay persecution by this particular group of people world wide.
I imagine the mindset of these people are "we have our rights, if you don't like it, feel free to try to stop it and oh, by the way, we'll be prepared". I'm not saying it's right, at all.
But, what is more disrespectful, lobbing heads off of Christians or a picture of the prophet Mohamed? Last I checked, a picture of a man hurts no one.
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CPT Pedro Meza
Justyn, You started with the teaching of Jesus, but then you take the other path. The worshipers at that mosque are not terrorist, best to apply Jesus teaching of Love thy Neighbor and Turn the other cheek. The Devil loves negative energy, you need to decide who energy you will feed.
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IMHO as many have stated this contest is in poor taste. It is ALSO an act of free speech. If as SFC Fiszel mentioned there was a KKK protest in a Black neighborhood that would also be free speech and in poor taste. But neither Islamic or Black people would be justified in using violence against the people attending any such event. We have taken an oath to support and defend free speech and everything else in the constitution. But that does not give us the right to decide what free speech is ok and what is not.
I do not agree with the holding of this contest. But I support ,and if called on would defend their right to hold it.
I do not agree with the holding of this contest. But I support ,and if called on would defend their right to hold it.
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SFC Matthew Parker
SGT Oakes,
After reading a large number of posts on this thread I found yours on target, respectful and I hope educational.
This isn't about sharia law, terrorists, jihad or the take over of America. This is simple, the event is in poor taste and offensive to those Americans who practice their Muslim faith.
Its in poor taste, period. I think events like this continue to divide us. I just hope it rains all day and a flood washes these fools away. If not, let em draw what they want and ignore them.
After reading a large number of posts on this thread I found yours on target, respectful and I hope educational.
This isn't about sharia law, terrorists, jihad or the take over of America. This is simple, the event is in poor taste and offensive to those Americans who practice their Muslim faith.
Its in poor taste, period. I think events like this continue to divide us. I just hope it rains all day and a flood washes these fools away. If not, let em draw what they want and ignore them.
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Although I personally think that the event itself is pretty dumb, I fully support their right to express themselves free from fear. I also fully support their right to self defense should an incident arise. What makes us different from other countries is that we can express ourselves freely and under no circumstances should we cower before those who wish us harm for it. Violence because one gets offended is NEVER permissible. It is not the event organizers or participants that cause violence, it is evil people who want to impose their will on others that do.
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LCpl Mark Lefler
This isn't' about rights. The 1st amendment only covers reprise from the government. This is about anti Muslims finding a away to express their hatred publicly. This is like children on the play ground.
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This is stupid! This drives us apart as people and Lord knows, we have enough that divides us. Then think how this affects the rest of the country and how peace-loving Muslims hide out knowing this can come back on them too.
I understand backlash but perhaps we are creating a heinous monster with our own hate just adding to the flames. IMHO!
I understand backlash but perhaps we are creating a heinous monster with our own hate just adding to the flames. IMHO!
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It IS inflammatory, but it's also Free Speech. Our First Amendment is not in place to protect speech that everyone agrees on. It IS in place to protect speech that is inflammatory, that is critical of government, or others, that may offend others. What they're doing is not the tack I'd take, but it is their right to utilize their First Amendment Rights. Whatever they say, is not as inflammatory as any violence that could result from their words or drawings.
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SSG (Join to see)
I agree free speech is a right that must be protected, however there is no reason we can't also condemn the speech we protect out of principle.
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SSG Gerhard S.
Indeed, SSG Mark Colwell, we do not have to agree with disagreeable speech, but we do have to respect the right of others to be disagreeable.
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1st of our constitutional rights. I saw a guy that had a shirt that said "Jesus is a cunt" I wanted to pound him into oblivion but realized he has a right to wear it even though it tore at my soul; I served so he could say and present whatever he wanted.
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The Supreme Court has already ruled on this. As offensive as it may seem, it is protected speech. The Westboro "Baptists" and their foul, vile, insensitive signs are allowed at funerals. The KKK is allowed to spew their garbage too... So while it may be offensive, it is protected by the 1st amendment. I don't think doing it at a mosque is a very good idea. But I fully support their rights to criticize an ideology.
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