YTFC Forum

darren · Joined: 28 Dec 2005 Posts: 334 Location: Yeovil, Somerset

I've been keeping an eye on the story about the Danish cartoon that has caused widespread protest in the Muslim world.

On Friday, there were protests in London. It was reasonably peaceful, however reading some of the comments that were made and some of the banners that have been displayed has prompted me to speak out.

I've seen the cartoons in question. Although I'm not a Muslim, I really cannot see how the cartoons can be offensive. We've seen parodies of various Gods over the years without incident. The Christian God is constantly parodied, I don't see any protests over, for instance, the recent Red Bull adverts.

"Europe you will pay, your 3/11 is on it's way", "7/7 is on it's way", and various other messages inciting violence and murder, and the burning of European embassies are quite frankly, an overreaction.

Please note that none of my comments are directed towards the Muslim religion, or to Muslims in general. It's merely a comment on the small group that are tarnishing the religion as a whole.

Imagine if it was the other way round. Imagine if a group of Muslims made comments about the Christian or Jewish religions, burned religious symbols, made fun of other religions or threatened violence to non-Muslims. Oh wait, isn't that already happening on a daily basis?

Here's a link to the BBC's coverage of the protest on Friday:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4682262.stm

This story is going to run and run, so I'd also suggest keeping an eye on the BBC front page.

What do you think? Is this an over-reaction on the part of a small group of fanatics? Have I opened up a huge can of worms?

come_on_you_greens · Joined: 08 Jan 2006 Posts: 125

Not sure that it is such a small group, look at places the Gaza strip, Damascus etc, thousands of muslims burning the embassies of Norway and Sweeden. IMO this is going to getting worse, and when it starts to spread into Europe on the scale of the middle east, there will be a lot of blood shed.

Can you imagine what would have happened if groups like NF/BNP/C18 etc walked through London carrying placards with similar messages on? The police would have been straight in there truncheons and CS spraying everywhere, at least.

Musey · Joined: 08 Jan 2006 Posts: 121

This also is not a dig at Muslims...but from what I understand it is a minority, and the majority of Muslims are big enough to take the joke, just as many members of other religons are.

(i think that) its wrong we should feel we have the 'tread carefully' around them. I also feel that those banners and posters were RIDICULOUS and it will just incite more hatred and will create more segregation.

Like the poster above, if any other group had been doing that yesterday...the police would be all over them.

Musey · Joined: 08 Jan 2006 Posts: 121

Another thing, reading the BBC article, they're trying to stand up for free speech....

But surely the cartoon in question is just free speech in another form?

darren · Joined: 28 Dec 2005 Posts: 334 Location: Yeovil, Somerset

That was my point. If it was any other group, there would be an outcry. But because they are Muslims, we've got to protect them.

When I said a small group, I meant compared to the Muslim religion as a whole. I know a fair few Muslims, there are a lot in my field of expertise (IT), and they are nothing at all like the flag burners we have seen on the news.

These messages on the banners during the protests are a clear attempt to incite racial hatred. The police should be arresting those responsible. The message I'm getting from this is, if you're a Muslim getting your knickers in a twist over a cartoon, you can break every law in the book regarding racism. If you're from any other religion making an anti-Muslim comment, then you're going away for a long time.

come_on_you_greens · Joined: 08 Jan 2006 Posts: 125

darren";p="2695 wrote: › docWrite("quote")That was my point. If it was any other group, there would be an outcry. But because they are Muslims, we've got to protect them.

Indeed, our government, or come to think of it all our political parties, have let groups like these get away with things for so long, that they now don't seem to know what to do, and unless they start to do something soon, groups like I mentioned in my previous post, will start gaining members rapidly.

come_on_you_greens · Joined: 08 Jan 2006 Posts: 125

Just seen on news another Danish embassy in Beirut has been set on fire!

One question I've always wondered, do these towns have shops that sell flags? Or is it journalists/ cameramen, giving handing them over, to increase anger for some pretty pictures?

Mr G · Joined: 08 Jan 2006 Posts: 166

Why was there no protest when the cartoon was first published some weeks ago. Perhaps there was a shortage of Danish flags in middle eastern gift shops ready to be burnt; but with an orchestrated delay by militants this gave them time to get plenty made. Heaven know what would have happened if Dave Allen had taken the micky out of Muslims in stead of Catholics. Walking round in suicide bomber outfits isn't exactly the way to gain popularity or friendship.

comedyjock · Joined: 08 Jan 2006 Posts: 53

Everybody has the right to Free Speech however if no legal action is taken against the minority parading with placards saying death to Europeans etc then there is something very wrong with this country.

I hope we have not become too scared to take action against these people as quickly as we would against a white person.

bowerboy · Joined: 08 Jan 2006 Posts: 619

I agree with free speech! :)

I just wonder if we (White Europeans) held a protest about the Muslims and held up similar placards offering all kinds of attacks on predominantly Muslim regions of the world there would be an outcry! :roll:

Free speech dream on! We are fast becoming afraid to voice an opinion for fear of upsetting the minorities! :evil:

IMO those cartoons should be placed on bill boards all around the western world along with the images the Muslim press produce of Jews! If they can dish it out they should be able to take it :evil:

Musey · Joined: 08 Jan 2006 Posts: 121

Well no. To make an example of the cartoon when we know how much it upsets them makes us as bad as they are.

bowerboy · Joined: 08 Jan 2006 Posts: 619

To do nothing IMO would be worse! :x

If a man who turns up to the Labour party conference wearing an anti war t/shirt get arrested under anti terrorism laws. :shock: These people can march on our streets celebrating the London bombings and warning us that we should have more after a publication of a cartoon and nothing gets done? :evil:

The world is going mad. :?

(I must try to get off my soap box)

Musey · Joined: 08 Jan 2006 Posts: 121

I'm behind you on the Labour conference - that was a blow for free speech. However, what needs to be done now is to stamp out these protests (well...stamp out the protesters that are inciting racial hatred) and let them know that they cant get away with this.

It's barbaric.

But you really think that plastering the cartoon all over the palce is the way to go? Seriously?

bowerboy · Joined: 08 Jan 2006 Posts: 619

Musey";p="2723 wrote: › docWrite("quote")
But you really think that plastering the cartoon all over the palce is the way to go? Seriously?

Well there may be another way :roll: I am just not keen on doing nothing! :?

Musey · Joined: 08 Jan 2006 Posts: 121

No, me neither.