nasty cartoons

[kath3]

I haven't heard any muslim jokes but I have heard and laughed at catholic and other christian jokes knowing full well the person meant no intentional harm or disrespect ... Vilks went to far imo

I have. They're just like any other religious joke. A joke.

Muslims are only offended because they took offence when none was meant. Vilks had the right to say what he wanted, just like you and me. Nobody should take that right away from him, even if they don't appreciate what he's saying.

I've been subject to jokes many a time and I could've been offended if I wanted to. But it just turns out to be a bit of banter most of the time. I have never needed to turn violent yet.

I agree, Vilks has every right to say what he wants without fear of harm. I also agree nobody should take that right away from him, even if they don't appreciate what he's saying.
In the perfect world this would not even be an issue, but we don't live in a perfect world.

Would you willingly go into an Islamic community wearing a t-shirt blaspheming Mohammad and expect to walk out alive?
You have every right to wear that t-shirt, but because of your knowledge of how some Muslims (extremists) react I'm guessing you would refrain from wearing your shirt and for several reasons ... (1) you are a respectful person and would not willingly insult ... (2) you would exercise common sense and accept the boundaries ... (3) you would fear being harmed. Vilks was not being respectful ...he was not using common sense ... indeed he was exercising his right to freedom of expression through his drawings and in turn provoked a highly sensitive and volatile group of people and unwillingly invited an assault. Muslim communities are world wide and even though we live in the western world respecting and defending freedom of speech we share this land with a people of very limited tolerance and an entirely different way of thinking.
This controversy is not going to go away over night and there will be many more Vilks who will willingly and unwillingly help bring the much needed attention and change to the Muslim community. And sadly before this reform is embraced by extremist Muslims there will be many deaths ... high prices are paid for freedom.
It's still my opioion that Vilks went too far ... though his going too far may very well help bring about change.

I too have been offended at times, but never would I react violently ... obviously you and I are not violent people, but you and I are not the world.

Here's an interesting read sharing how sensitive/passonate religious groups can be and not just Muslims
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_..._blasphemy