| At times in their development, groups of people get fiercely protective of their "hero figures". To name an animal after the Emperor of Rome might mean execution for lese-majeste. To poke fun at Jesus in mediaeval times might mean death for blasphemy.
This is the same! To poke fun at their revered prophet is an insult to be wiped out in blood.
Our nominally Christian society allows art exhibitions which shock and offend many people (e.g. a crucifix immersed in urine, entitled "Piss on Christ"), and we pass by, saying that Art must be free!
I am ambivalent; do I hope that Islam will one day reach our standard of tolerance, or do I hope that we will rise in wrath to defend our culture's icons? |