Post by: roo_ster on November 01, 2006, 03:27:52 AM
Plus a thumb in the eye of the anti-Danish rioters.
http://timblair.net/ee/index.php/weblog/mohalloween/
Post by: Dannyboy on November 01, 2006, 03:44:19 AM
Post by: charby on November 01, 2006, 04:55:19 AM
Post by: Perd Hapley on November 01, 2006, 04:58:35 AM
Post by: charby on November 01, 2006, 06:11:22 AM
Not cool.
Why not?
Post by: Perd Hapley on November 01, 2006, 07:14:11 AM
But gratuitously insulting a major religious figure just isn't funny. I would hope that no one would have the bad taste to strap a cross to their back and walk around in a white robe and crown of thorns. I will return the favor, and not disparagingly impersonate Mohammed, Joseph Smith or Reverend Moon. Well, maybe Rev. Moon. Earnest criticism of such people, done with respect for their followers, is an entirely different matter.
Post by: CAnnoneer on November 01, 2006, 07:17:49 AM
Post by: Perd Hapley on November 01, 2006, 07:32:23 AM
Post by: charby on November 01, 2006, 07:45:39 AM
I understand the appeal of thumbing one's nose at all the wackos who protested (and violently so) the cartoons. I understand the desire to stand up and defy the silly PC uproar over them.
But gratuitously insulting a major religious figure just isn't funny. I would hope that no one would have the bad taste to strap a cross to their back and walk around in a white robe and crown of thorns. I will return the favor, and not disparagingly impersonate Mohammed, Joseph Smith or Reverend Moon. Well, maybe Rev. Moon. Earnest criticism of such people, done with respect for their followers, is an entirely different matter.
But gratuitously insulting a major religious figure just isn't funny. I would hope that no one would have the bad taste to strap a cross to their back and walk around in a white robe and crown of thorns. I will return the favor, and not disparagingly impersonate Mohammed, Joseph Smith or Reverend Moon. Well, maybe Rev. Moon. Earnest criticism of such people, done with respect for their followers, is an entirely different matter.
I think this might be your best post ever.
-Charby
Post by: TarpleyG on November 01, 2006, 07:56:37 AM
Quote
But gratuitously insulting a major religious figure just isn't funny.
Why not? People insult Jesus every chance they get. Water off a duck's back, man.Greg
Post by: Headless Thompson Gunner on November 01, 2006, 07:58:36 AM
People make mockery and satire of Jesus and Christianity every day. (Just talk to some liberals...) Why should Islam be placed on some sort of protected pedestal while other religions aren't?
Besides, this particular costume has more political statement than anything else.
It's long since become impossible to have a meaningful conversation about real issues without the PC crowd crawling up your posterior. There are real problems in the world right now, problems which require real solutions. We need to be able to discuss them honestly, openly, and accurately. This PC tripe is one of the prime reasons we'll never be able to do that.
Post by: Sindawe on November 01, 2006, 08:02:21 AM
Good one!
Post by: Dannyboy on November 01, 2006, 09:31:12 AM
Why should Islam be placed on some sort of protected pedestal while other religions aren't?
That is exactly the right question.
Post by: roo_ster on November 01, 2006, 09:42:49 AM
In this case, not so much. Folks who riot over cartoons and kill over rumors of desecration of their holy book need to have it rubbed in their face, good & hard.
Post by: Perd Hapley on November 01, 2006, 10:11:00 AM
Quote
People make mockery and satire of Jesus and Christianity every day. (Just talk to some liberals...) Why should Islam be placed on some sort of protected pedestal while other religions aren't?
So, you'd be OK with Jesus carrying a "God Hates Fags" sign?
Post by: Harold Tuttle on November 01, 2006, 11:22:22 AM
BOSTON: A US attorney who released information in 2000 about President George W Bush's drunken driving conviction was arrested on Tuesday after he dressed up as al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and waved a fake gun at traffic.
Police in South Portland, Maine, arrested Thomas Connolly, 49, of Scarborough, Maine, and charged him with criminal threatening. He was released on bail, local officials said.
Lt. Todd Bernard said the police department received calls about a man wearing Middle Eastern garb and a bin Laden mask and carrying fake dynamite standing along an interstate highway. When police arrived, they saw Connolly holding a gun.
"They ordered him to drop the weapon several times and he eventually complied," Bernard said.
It turned out the gun was fake, Bernard said.
In a phone interview, Connolly said he'd been trying to protest a planned change in local tax rules.
"I didn't expect to be arrested," he said. "Obviously I touched a post-9/11 nerve."
Days before the 2000 presidential election, Connolly released information about Bush's 1976 drunken driving conviction.
The Bush campaign said Democratic "dirty tricks" were behind the disclosure that at age 30 Bush had been arrested for drunken driving in Kennebunkport, Maine, pleaded guilty, paid a fine and had his licence suspended for 30 days.
Connolly, a Democrat, ran for governor in Maine in 1998.
South Portland, Maine, is located about 100 miles (161km) northeast of Boston.
Post by: Headless Thompson Gunner on November 01, 2006, 11:40:35 AM
Quote
People make mockery and satire of Jesus and Christianity every day. (Just talk to some liberals...) Why should Islam be placed on some sort of protected pedestal while other religions aren't?
So, you'd be OK with Jesus carrying a "God Hates Fags" sign? Would I have a problem with some ingorant ninny dressing up like Jesus and carrying a sign to make a point? I might not like it, but so what? I certainly wouldn't claim that the guy had no right to make whatever stupid point he was trying to make. I'd spend my efforts detailing why he was wrong, not saying he had no right to deliver his message.
Post by: Fly320s on November 01, 2006, 11:48:20 AM
I want to see the most risque costume.
Post by: Perd Hapley on November 01, 2006, 12:54:28 PM
Would I have a problem with some ingorant ninny dressing up like Jesus and carrying a sign to make a point? I might not like it, but so what? I certainly wouldn't claim that the guy had no right to make whatever stupid point he was trying to make. I'd spend my efforts detailing why he was wrong, not saying he had no right to deliver his message.
I see now that my bold signature line is quite worthless. Did anyone suggest that jerks don't have a right to wear these costumes? I'm only saying we should voluntarily refrain from doing it or laughing at it.
fistful's law: He who defends an imaginary attack on the right to free speech is probably unable to defend the content of that speech.
And, yes, of course I was talking about someone dressed like Jesus.
Post by: Headless Thompson Gunner on November 01, 2006, 01:01:14 PM
I think that cartoon and the costume that duplicates it presents a political message that warrants being told. I don't see it as an attack on the religion, per se. I don't see it as inherently wrong. I think the cacophonous silence from the larger Muslim world denouncing terrorism invalidates any right they have to take offense at this sort of thing.
People have frequently made similar political statements in satire and mockery of Christianity. Such is the way of modern life. Don't see how it should be any different for Islam.
Post by: Perd Hapley on November 01, 2006, 01:54:52 PM
Post by: Headless Thompson Gunner on November 01, 2006, 02:11:34 PM
Better yet, let's just forget the entire mess. It ain't worth arguing about.
Post by: doczinn on November 02, 2006, 05:30:36 AM
Quote
gratuitously insulting a major religious figure just isn't funny
In context, that costume is specifically an insult aimed at those who so violently protested those cartoons. It's the equivalent to the T-shirts with a picture of a US flag and the words "Burn this one, ahole!"
Quote
I will return the favor, and not disparagingly impersonate Mohammed, Joseph Smith or Reverend Moon. Well, maybe Rev. Moon.
So it just has to ridiculous enough in your eyes to be a legitimate target for ridicule? What if Islam is ridiculous in someone else's eyes?
Post by: CAnnoneer on November 02, 2006, 08:49:47 AM
Quote from: doczinn
So it just has to ridiculous enough in your eyes to be a legitimate target for ridicule? What if Islam is ridiculous in someone else's eyes?
He got you there, fistful, nice and tight.
Ultimately, this discussion makes me think that nowadays people have expanded the meaning of "religious freedom" to include that anything that makes them uncomfortable ist verboten. My interpretation is that "religious freedom" just means you can worship whatever you want without another religion burning you at the stake or the government throwing you in jail over it. It certainly does not mean you are to be free of ridicule or insult.
Post by: CAnnoneer on November 02, 2006, 08:57:06 AM
Quote from: doczinn
It's the equivalent to the T-shirts with a picture of a US flag and the words "Burn this one, ahole!"
Yeah, I never got the flag-burning thing, especially when done by US citizens. What are they saying? They are traitors? They are no longer Americans? Fine, turn in your citizenship, *expletive deleted*che bags, and go live in France. There are billions of people out there for whom US citizenship would be a dream come true. We'd be far better off with fewer leftists and more hard-working legal immigrants.
Lt Radchek: "Something given has no value."
Post by: Perd Hapley on November 02, 2006, 09:04:35 AM
More about her here:
http://www.armedpolitesociety.com/index.php?topic=2855.0
Post by: Lee on November 02, 2006, 10:34:35 AM
Post by: zahc on November 02, 2006, 10:42:34 AM
Post by: doczinn on November 02, 2006, 01:24:49 PM
Quote
I think there's a difference between mocking people who join a cult out of their own credulity and mocking someone who's beliefs are a part of their culture and up-bringing.
OK, I'll grant that, but it's a small distinction; some convert to mainstream religions and some are born and raised in cults.And what's the real difference between a cult and mainstream religion anyway? Number of believers? If we define a legitimate belief by how many people believe it, we'd all be socialist Buddhists.
Post by: Perd Hapley on November 02, 2006, 02:19:51 PM
Sometimes it refers to a tightly-controlled group centered on a particular charismatic leader. I.e, Jim Jones, David Koresh, etc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult
Post by: doczinn on November 02, 2006, 02:26:31 PM
Quote
a cohesive group of people (often a relatively small and recently founded religious movement) devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture or society considers to be far outside the mainstream.
My point is that any definition is subjective. Assuming a cult continues to grow, when does it stop becoming a cult. Are Sikhs in the US a cult? Why not?
Post by: Trisha on November 02, 2006, 05:28:59 PM
Those that would recognize the menace in being examined for honesty would probably have cause to fear, if not hate. . .
Post by: Modifiedbrowning on November 02, 2006, 05:54:29 PM
Quote
Sometimes it refers to a tightly-controlled group centered on a particular charismatic leader.
Isn't that how Christianity started?
Post by: bdutton on November 03, 2006, 10:01:34 AM
If the Muslims cannot understand humor then they need to EVOLVE a bit.
Post by: Perd Hapley on November 03, 2006, 10:08:43 AM
They were not tightly-controlled in the way that a modern cult is. If anything, the tight control was the persecution they endured for remaining in the "cult." I.e., Christianity was often considered illegal until Constantine.