In this, he has allies in radical Muslim fundamentalists, like British Muslim activist Anjem Choudary, who wrote in USA Today, "Muslims consider the honor of the Prophet Muhammad to be dearer to them than that of their parents or even themselves. To defend it is considered to be an obligation upon them. The strict punishment if found guilty of this crime under sharia (Islamic law) is capital punishment implementable by an Islamic state."

Choudary has the right to his own religious views, just as everyone else does. Non-Muslims do not agree with him that Muhammad is the prophet, and I suspect many moderate Muslims do not believe that cartoonists who draw "blasphemous" depictions should be given the death penalty. Because everyone has different religious views, one person's religions views should not be applied to everyone. That is to say, Choudary can continue to praise Muhammad and avoid drawing his image, but other people shouldn't have to obey the rules of a religion that they don't believe in.

Unfortunately, religious fundamentalists of many religions don't want to see their prophets mocked and are intolerant towards those who disagree. The problem is extremism.

Both of these men have twisted views of the concept of rights. Donahue fantasized in 2011 about taking up arms to murder Lady Gaga in response to her song "Judas:" "I'm simply saying why does it take fear as a motivational ethic on the part of some people to respect Muslim rights? Do they want Catholics to pick up a machete in order for them to get their rights?"

A Catholic's rights are not abused when he is offended by something. A Muslim doesn't have the right to tell society that because his religion objects to the depiction of Muhammad, no one can depict Muhammad. An Orthodox Jew on an airplane doesn't have the right to tell the woman sitting next to him to change seats.

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)