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Muslims and the media

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It's been clearly demonstrated that just one spark is sufficient to light the fuse, if the fuse has been primed and correctly prepared. The continuing global disturbances and chaos caused by protesters claiming Islamic affiliation is the most current example.

I doubt whether Danish Newspaper Jyllands-Posten could ever have anticipated the scale of the response the publishing of so-called caricatures of the Islamic Holy Prophet Muhammed would cause. I say so-called, because how do you caricature someone or something of which there's no photographic or pictorial record?

Having pursued spirituality (as opposed to religiosity) my whole life, I have a profound respect and indeed affection for all paths. I believe the Universe, God, Allah, Brahman, Buddha, Jesus, Hashem, Krishna, Rama, the Tao, whatever you wish to call Him, Her, It, has offered a buffet-table of spiritually nourishing sustenance to human-kind. From which end of the table and what food you choose to eat is largely a matter of emotional, psychological and intellectual make-up and preference.

Over the centuries, factions within Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and many other religions, cults or sects have wreaked their own kind of havoc in their quest either to proselytise or defend their particular faith. For me, the paradox is the very idea of us defending whatever our concept is of 'God'. I thought the protection mechanism worked the other way around!

I wrote a good number of years ago, an article entitled 'Islam is not the problem'. It attracted the attention and a complimentary written response from then South African Minister of Education, Professor Kader Asmal. I still don't think Islam is the problem. As I don't think Judaism is the problem (as one small example) when it comes to fanatical right-wing Jews cursing Ariel Sharon or throwing stones at non-observant Jews and non-Jews alike who desecrate what the fundamentalists regard as their inviolable Sabbath. Christians like the Rev. Pat Robertson and his ilk spew nationalistic venom from their pulpits also under the cloak of defending the faith and upholding the 'dignity of God.' Similarly, sectarian right-wing 'Hindus' wage war on their fellow-countrymen.

This is all of course, a dreadful fraud. Religion is being co-opted as a radicalised political tool to achieve agendas that have nothing whatsoever to do with spirituality. The behaviour of people of all faiths under these circumstances is utterly unacceptable in a civilised society. Hindus razing a mosque in India, supposed 'Islamic' terrorists slaughtering children in Beslan, Christians behaving like they have some sort of franchise on passports to 'heaven', or Jews abusing Palestinians - all not the work of spiritual individuals.

Logic, in my book, says, firstly 'How can we caricature or cartoon say the prophets Isaiah, Moses, Krishna, Jesus or whatever concept of God when we have no idea what that prophet or 'God' looks like'? Secondly, is my belief system or faith (belief without evidence) so frail that I'm unable to tolerate any level of cynicism, ridicule or 'attack' on it? The constant threat of violence, retribution or execution threatened by the radical fringes of all religions when their path comes under perceived attack is something civilised society must not and cannot afford to accept.

The explicit message is that society must be subverted to the belief systems and will of the particular religion. That is illogical and insupportable unless that society has chosen to live under religious rule. The rules of a particular religion can and must apply to the voluntary adherents of that religion. Seeking to impose those rules on secular society, agnostics, atheists or people of other persuasions, is the antithesis of democracy and the right to free speech. There must not be two sets of rules. Religions must not be able, via their supporting media, to caricature or denigrate the leaders or figureheads of other ethnic or religious groups and take umbrage only when their chosen path comes under attack.

Do I think it was OK to create and publish the 'cartoons' of Islamic Holy Prophet Muhammed? No. That was plain insensitive, provocative and stupid. But the mature response would have been, punish the particular medium if you chose to go that route. Cancel subscriptions, yank advertising, start up a competitive newspaper, buy the offending newspaper and fire the buggers concerned.

I find it all too convenient that there were available internationally, for burning, immediate supplies of what must surely be the low purchase-frequency Danish national flag. This and the subsequent death and destruction is not defending the Holy Prophet of a major religion. This is sub-human, irrational, emotionally immature behaviour by a minority seeking to grind their own particular axe. With the fires set, stoked and fanned by pseudo-leaders with a power-mongering agenda.

To the majority adherents of the beautiful religion of Islam - take a stand against the radicalised minority hiding beneath the banner of your path. Don't let them co-opt the name and identity for too long. They do your valuable 'brand' and the teachings of your Holy Prophet a great disservice.


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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republicans expressed frustration on Thursday at the slow pace of negotiations over extending a tax break for workers that expires at the end of the month, accusing President Barack Obama and Senate Democrats of blocking agreement.

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