I Won't Be Charlie
I suppose that there are people who have a death wish. Even those who support the French satirists will come to realize that Muslim-baiting of this sort cannot continue. It is simply untenable to go on provoking Islamic people in this way.
Let's get one thing clear: there are no absolute rights. Every freedom or right has limits. People have begun to make the point that in Europe, including France, negating the Holocaust is a crime. Why can't someone express that outrageous opinion, and yet make fun of a deeply-held religious belief? Either both things should be allowed or none should be permitted. The double standard is clear.
Different media around the world have abstained from publishing the latest cartoon, surely out of concern for their safety, but also because, as The New York Times has argued, they will not publish something that is "offensive and gratuitous." Eventually, if the French cartoonists insist on this course of action, others will come around to the sensible position on this matter.
Let's get one thing clear: there are no absolute rights. Every freedom or right has limits. People have begun to make the point that in Europe, including France, negating the Holocaust is a crime. Why can't someone express that outrageous opinion, and yet make fun of a deeply-held religious belief? Either both things should be allowed or none should be permitted. The double standard is clear.
Different media around the world have abstained from publishing the latest cartoon, surely out of concern for their safety, but also because, as The New York Times has argued, they will not publish something that is "offensive and gratuitous." Eventually, if the French cartoonists insist on this course of action, others will come around to the sensible position on this matter.
Alberto, you probably know my take on these matters. Some of my blog posts are more "offensive" than any damn cartoon could ever be, if by offensive we mean satirical, ironic and even demeaning. I would not make denials of the Holocaust a crime either. I think that's ridiculous too, and even dangerous. Teach history to kids and prepare them to identify spurious claims. But don't silence those who make ridiculous claims. After all, we don't silence religious people, and they often make the most ridiculous claims, which are never backed by evidence and could never be.
ReplyDeleteThose who are offended by a cartoon should draw cartoons in response. Those who are offended by a blog post should write in response. Debate, yes. Bombing and mayhem, no. I know you agree with that, but I dread that by saying that these people are fanatical -most Muslims would not kill even if offended by writings or by cartoons- we are patronizing them and even surrendering our freedoms for fear of their reaction. Killers love excuses for their narcissistic and psychopathic actions, but they don't need them. They will keep at it anyway.
Ridiculing and criticizing religion is vital to our global civilization. As it is criticizing and ridiculing those in power. Banning cartoons is not the way to go. Protecting those threatened by killers send the right message. Apparently in this instance there was no enough protection, so the French authorities had to act after the fact. That's unfortunate, but it would be even worse to cave to these monsters.
Come to think of it, those monsters are not "offended" by cartoons or by words. They are just offended by the presence and harmless actions of other human beings. Also, if you offend someone, he might become so enraged that he might kill you, and that would be a homicide. But these guys plan their attacks, and that deliberation makes them cold blooded assassins.
ReplyDeleteIn general, I agree with you about the value of free speech and freedom of the press,as you well know. But, I must insist on the point I made: Those two and the rest of constitutional rights are not absolute. There have to be reasonable limits to them, or else, it's chaos. This is important because I've been hearing and reading people who should know better say that there is an absolute right to free speech and freedom of the press, even to the point of offending others.
ReplyDeleteI beg to differ on your statement that "ridiculing and criticizing religion is vital to our global civilization." I very much doubt it, but even if that were the case, the mistake you make, in my estimation, is that you bundle ridicule and criticism. I submit to you that criticism, yes; ridicule no. One should be free to criticize anything or anyone, but to offend or ridicule in hurtful ways, no, my dear friend. If people had an absolute right to do that, then there could be no legal recourse against it. Do you really believe that the Pope should be portrayed having sex, as he was a while back? Is anybody fair game?
I believe the distinction should be made between making fun of someone or something and going beyond the bounds of decency. Respect and restraint must be exercised in public discourse. If some people disagree with some teachings and practices of Islam, of course, they should be allowed to voice their opinion. But, by God, leave their symbols alone. Needless to say, they should also respect other religions.
Finally, of course, fanatics will go on killing, but let's not pour gasoline on that fire.