User talk:71.128.200.39

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[edit] "Freedom of Speech is a plague"

This telling quote from the recent (small) demonstrations. It isn't just cartoonist supporters framing it as a free speech argument. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7251378.stm 71.128.200.39 (talk) 04:43, 19 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Reply from someone who lives in Denmark and is concerned

You posted the above message on the Talk:Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy page, and I posted the following reply, and then both entries were deleted, in keeping with Wikipedia policy that article Discussion pages are not intended for debate, but to discuss possible changes to the article. Anyway, here is my reply:

If I had a blog I'd post a response on my blog and post a link to it here. But I don't have a blog, so in violation of Wikipedia rules that Discussion pages are not to be used for debating, I'll post a few points here.

I'm assuming that you are a Muslim living in Denmark, and I'll write my answer based on that assumption.

It worries me, even saddens me, about the current demonstrations and the anger and alienation one sees in the Muslim community in Denmark. It is so difficult to bridge the communications gap when cultures are different, and especially when religion is involved. Understanding is an intellectual link, and religion is an enemy of intellectual exploration, especially when it is indoctrinated during childhood, as is usually the case.

"Freedom of Speech is a plague"? What does that mean? Isn't it just a slogan to be used and misused by those who are not comfortable with freedom of speech? Couldn't one just as easily say "Islam is a plague"? It would be just as meaningless.

Why is it that (most) Western societies that embrace democracy and freedom of speech have economic success, have (mostly) satisfied citizens, have (mostly) security, good health care, stable societies? Why is it that (many) Muslim societies are fraught with poverty and repressive governments and social turmoil?

In Denmark it took many generations working towards the benefits that Danish society has now, and a cornerstone of these benefits is democracy and freedom of speech. We obviously don't want to give this up. What if Denmark ended up having the same standard of living and the same problems as most Muslim countries?

A quote in the BBC article: "Feisal says he cannot understand why the media keeps focusing on the idea that Muslims are trying to take their freedom of speech away from them."

Well, that's because the Muslims are trying to take away freedom of speech. You see, freedom of speech is either absolute (the press can make fun of anybody and criticize everybody) or it is on its way to downfall. If Muslims can say, "freedom of speech is OK, except you can't make fun of our prophet", then the next step is that politicians can say, "you can't criticize the government", and the police can say, "you can't criticize the police". In a well-developed proper democracy it is necessary that the media makes fun of everyone and criticizes everyone. That's their job. If they don't do it, then we're in trouble.

Another quote from the BBC article: "... the only thing the Muslims are asking for is respect, nothing else".

The whole concept of "respect" seems to have cultural differences. For most Danes, respect is something one earns, through one's achievements and helpfulness and support of those around you. You get respect if you earn it, otherwise not. You never demand respect or even ask for respect. (By the way, how much respect do Muslims have towards Danes?)

A last quote from the BBC article, the closing paragraph: "So far Muslims in Denmark have been talking about discrimination and the need for more respect. But the more they feel nobody is listening to their anger the more susceptible they will be to the message of radical political Islam."

Like I said, I'm saddened by the situation. I have tried to listen, but what I'm mostly hearing is a lack of communications. I've written this little blog entry in the hopes that you may read it - and listen. Thanks. --RenniePet (talk) 18:28, 19 February 2008 (UTC)