Troublesome cartoons
When is our Western society going to learn some sense in its dealing with the Muslims who live within it (let alone those living outside it)?
The publication of cartoons across European newspapers, of quite an offensive nature to Muslims, represents a new low in understanding of the issues. (See this news report.)
As Tony Payne says in Islam in our Backyard:
...if we want Muslims to be full and long-term participants in our society...we must be allowed to refute Islam, just as Muslims must be allowed to refute atheism and agnosticism and Christianity...we must allow people to think and reason and debate, about all manner of things, including religious beliefs, and to change their position. In other words, we must love and respect other persons enough to argue with them about the truth... When people are not allowed to discuss the truth or otherwise of religious claims, we end up with the suppression of debate and dissent. Certain opinions and views become the ‘authorised’ ones that are allowed to be expressed, and this is all determined by whoever happens to be in charge. Truth and freedom are gone. All you are left with is the raw exercise of power.