Is It a fairy tale? Can you prove other wise?

But, if you claim that a god or gods exist, the burden of proof is on you.

This story is about France. Has nothing to do with the freedoms and laws in the states.

Mtnman, I think you could have said the same thing during the Revolutionary War! Don't piss off King George, you might get someone killed! You don't have the right to upset anyone! I guess being a liberal means "never having to say anything that could upset anyone"! (Unless the person is a conservative, Republican!)

Oh so enlightened, superior people who say that they are "amazed" that educated people still believe in (religious) "fairy tales", and who blame religion for the ills of the world, are laughable. They never address the "fairy tale" aspect of Nazism, Communism, and other "isms" which also spring from "beliefs", and which have hurt millions. ANY endeavor , belief, or ideology can be twisted to bad ends, and we humans don't need religion or God to do this. Better to have good people in the world, be they atheists or religious, then bad people, be they atheist or religious.

I don't care one bit what religion a person adheres to. What I DO care about is that I, and, by extension, everyone else, have to right to freely express one's opinion, as long as it is not an expression of thought that clearly endangers others. Like you cannot yell out "Fire" in a theatre, say out loud "Hijack" in an airport, or yell out "Bomb", just for the hell of it. On the other hand, one should also be totally free to express one's opinion, which is what the film is about, apparently, and what these cartoons are about. If people are so offended by them, then, maybe, they should not look at them? This is all about fanatical muslims wanting to dictate to the world what the rest of the world can and cannot, mostly cannot, do! France is correct in taking precautions. It is like putting on a car safety belt - you know there are idiots out there!

"What a lame excuse for an argument. Prove he she what etc exists or shut up." Will you kids stop it? Focus! Keep on topic! And I thought I was ADHD....

Free speech may have limits, but cartoons and YouTube videos don't even come close to crossing the line. I really find it ironic that the Arab world is in "flames" over a video created by an Egyptian. I haven't seen any Egyptian embassy's stormed as of yet.

and now back to the article........... the part that is disturbing is that all of us have to be afraid that a cartoon could cause us harm. Why do we allow ourselves to be bullied by such a violent philosophy masked as a religion? it is an "ideology" that is the enemy of the entire free thinking world. We need to stop thinking of it as a religion and start recognizing it for what it is. we all need to see it as enemy number one to our way of life and treat it accordingly. the world is at war with Islamic extremism philosophy, the way of life and the law they want to impose on the world. when will all of us wake up to that and stop being "tolerant". We need to rid our countries of this poison.

They're just going to surrender?

This just PROVES that we have to take action against these muslims and countries that would think they can start dictating to free countries!!!!!!! You don't have to like the video's put out there or the cartoon but to tell countries that believe in free speech to squah those rights and prosecute those that excercise it is UNACEPPTABLE!!!!!!!

Agree with B's post!!!!!

I am absoluetly OFFENDED by a religion that says that all non-believers in it are infidels and should die horrible tortuous deaths!!!!!!! When do we start demanding that they STOP this practice????? When do we start demanding that they respect all other religions, includig athiests right to believe that murdering, maiming, bombing, burning, raping innocent people is not only absolutely wrong but crimes against humanity??????????

What is happening to us when you have to shut down everything due to a cartoon?? Am I the only one who thinks this is getting totally out of hand and crazy. I guess freedom of speech and freedom of expression is gone (at least for now). When is the rest of the world going to stand up and say - "You hurt my embassy and I hurt you?"...embassy's are soveriegn soil and should be treated as such....if they breach the walls you shoot them off the walls as this is an invasion of your land. It just seems that we are being way to politically correct and spending less time in showing and telling the "IDIOTS" that they cannot do things like that. If the host nation does not secure the embassy then move out and kick them out of your country as well and cut off any and all aid dollars you are sending them. Then they "the IDIOTS' may just stop the protests and killing if their own gov't makes them stop...It causes you to think that the local gov't's are involved in some aspect in letting these kinds of demonstrations occur in the first place.....

There is a "Holy War' coming and if you cannot see it you are totally blind.....history repeats itself and the next "Crusades" are on the way.....

Anybody ever see or hear of a "peaceful" Muslim protest?

France has freedom of speech and I applaud them for not prohibiting the publication of this cartoon. We civilized nations need to deal with this head on, and the answer is NOT to curtail our own freedoms because these radical muslims don't know how to act!

They interviewed Muslims on the news and asked "Do you believe in freedom of speech"? Of course they said, but as long as it does not pertain to our religious beliefs.

That would affect how you cut your hair, dress, eat, marry, friends, and when you can take a dump in the morning. I guess that means total control with the freedom of speech to get beheaded?? No thank you to the religion of spilling blood.

not gonna get into another arguement over a "guy in the sky" that doesn't exist....

as for the islamic peoples, they need to stop being so sensitive. i know it means something to you and i respect that, but ya gotta have some thicker skin in todays world. it's constantly getting smaller and more crowded. there is something out there around every corner that will inflame and insult any given person or people. does that make it right, to insult simply to get a reaction? no....but face it, that's the world today. and going around killing people, lighting cars on fire, and causing general instability will get you no where. 2 year olds do that and we call it a temper tantrum....whole peoples do it and we call it outrage, but you have to be adults. it's self perpetuating. eventually someone has to break the cycle....stop passing that to your kids and teach them another way. you can still maintain your belief system without destroying everything good around you. back off or people will keep throwing it in your face because they know it bothers you....if that's not a time proven fact, i don't know what is.

I beleive in unicorns, fairies, mermaids and the sasquatch. Prove they don't exist. The things people will believe never cease to amaze me.

Read a thoughtful essay about why it's not necessary to "respect" ANY religion on the SillyBeliefs com website (SillyBeliefs "Respect My Religion" article). http://www.sillybeliefs.com/respect.html

I re-read this whenever people assert that others should/must blindly RESPECT their religion despite there being NO good reason to do so.

"The problem with religion, because it's been sheltered from criticism, is that it allows people to believe en masse what only idiots or lunatics could believe in isolation." -- Sam Harris

Funny how the people that do the films, write the poems, draw the cartoons are never the ones to die.

Just an observation.

Does God exist, does he not... well, as far as we now there are plenty of gods around this planet of ours, thousands of them, each claiming to be the one and only creator of the universe, of mankind, of plants and animals, peanut butter and jelly bars, you name it.

So which one is the right one? What does exist is a need for fantasy, which is quite legitimate. It's a pity that some people take it as "The Truth" and fight their neighbors' gods and religions as fakes..

It is all fake. Nothing wrong with that as long as it catters to peaceful and innocent superstitions, candid rituals, and does not interfere with the evolution of knowledge.

I respect a person's right to choose a religion as much as the next guy guy, but that said I have no respect for a group that uses violence to impose its religious beliefs on the rest of the world.

The rest of the world recognizes the right of the press, artists, and writers to express themselves. Unfortunately religious extremists are too corrupt to recognize that right.

I'm glad to see the people are starting to stand up to these "radical" Muslims. I think there is a bigger picture here though. This just don't seem right for some reason, I got a gut feeling that this is being played out to stage something bigger. All I know is that my gaurd is up. There is to much going on around the world to point out that don't seem right. What I'm talking about is "Hiden Agendas". I don't know if the Muslims or the governments are playing this out to cover up something bigger that is going to take place here soon. God bless you all, and I hope that I'm wrong.

Those who call to allow the Islamists to usurp our right to free speech to pacify them have learned nothing from history.. Their dirty secretes need to be exposed and their false religion of hate cast out..

Although crude the video was based on historic fact so it can not be considered hate material.. These are just some of Islams dirty secretes that they do not want revealed.. Their cult of hate and intolerance wants to set the roots of its control structure in free countries by instituting censorship.. Unlike the Islam cultists running around with death posters and hanging burning effigies the cartoon was a peaceful show of opinion about Islams political goal.. Islam is not compatible with a free society so I agree that a war is coming.. Or is it already here and under way?? Beware the peaceful Muslim.. Below that skin of peace is a boiling cult of hate..

@Roadrunnero: talking about historical facts, would you be so kind as to remind everyone here about the horrors, the slaughters made in the name of the christian god throughout history? millions died, entire civilizations were wiped out.

Talk about Love and Tolerance...

It has nothing to do with the Qran, the Bible or the Torah indeed...

The french magazine that published these cartoons also published scores of funny carton regarding the christians and the jews in the past. Many considered them to be offending, and the authors received death threats as well. In other words the magazine Charlie Hebdo is not solely pointing its finger at Islam but trying to show that all religions are equally absurd and dangerous for mankind.

I agree with the concept of free speech, and the right to it, but I also believe that if you are going to utilize your rights then be willing to be the one with your bottom on the line. The ones who published this cartoon won't be the ones killed or maimed for it, it will be the Embassy employees, soldiers, politicians, etc., that will pay for the publication and most likely with their lives.

I'm kind of hoping that the insults increase. I'd like to see some really bad ones. Shows the world what they are really about. Maybe then we can stop pretending that everyact of violence is only from a "small handful"... seems like plenty of people were getting in on it and I hear crickets every time I listen for that "moderate muslim who condemns this"

Islam is incompatible with western culture.

Westener, I understand your point but the fact remains that far more bystanders die than those who do the actual publishing or writing of the works considered offensive. These extremists that take the cartoons, videos, etc., to heart don't just kill the actual writer/publisher, they use bombs, killing people who had nothing to do with any of it. I love free speech and I am utilizing it right here, but it is my face on my posts, not hidden and no one is going to take my comments as so offensive they need to bomb my place of business, or any other public venue I may be at. We preach responsibility for actions and that should include what we say and to whom we say it.

I love my sons but the fact is they chose to be soldiers, and they accept the responsibility for those choices. All the more reason I love them. They go where they go and do what they do knowing that their choices put their lives in danger, but they don't hide behind publishers, or pseudonyms doing it, they are right there up front and personal.

I am just saying that if you choose to put something out there that you know will raise the hackles of a group like this, then be sure the only life you are risking is your own.

Croc15,

I see you voted for yourself. I'll check back later to see if anyone else is on your level.

:-)

Upright1,

Agreed. They have no regard for innocent bystanders. That's their way. It's their way or the highway whether it's their is next of kin or anybody else. They simply do not care. Either we get the hell out of all the muslim countries or be just like them and drop the big one and get it over with.

Ahhhhh It is sooooo easy to be brave when you're not the one trading bullets.

Facebook tough guys and girls wave the free speech banner at the right to cause chaos...

Here's a news flash... You DO have the right to free speech... But you are also responsible for everything that comes out of your mouth...

This is not fear, this is a government understanding the hailstorm that might come to their embassies and possibly their schools and taking preventive measures to avoid conflicts.

The way I see it, the world needs to either destroy that whole region and commit mass murder/ genocide to defend your freedom of talking out of your ass... OR... We can develop alternative energies, become self sufficient and therefore stop the financing of Terrorism...

But for that, our free speech advocates have to stop driving their V8s and that's UNTHINKABLE and UNAMERICAN...

"The beliefs of others must be respected," he told Reuters.

But what happens to the right to believe in free speech?

The beliefs of others must be respected," stated by an Islamist. How about practicing what you preach. Your religion, ideaolgy, whatever does not tolerate anyone else's belief, whatever it may be, so why should we respect yours. And for the folks on this blog...all this ain't about religion...it's about world control and power and total domination...simple as that, just like it has always been...If the Muslums ever took over the world, they would and are already fighting amongst themselves, and eventually, another order of thought would emerge, then another struggle for control would insue. Thus the circle of man's intolerance of each other continued. Until we all simply destroy ourselves in the name of not being able to control our hate towards that which is different. Man's true bain...himself

Cheetah

Of course they are going to surrender, this is France we're talking about, surrender is what they do best. If you ever want to buy a rifle, buy a French one, it has never been fired, and only dropped once.

Upright - People have utilized concealing their identity to prevent themselves from being hurt for expressing controversial opinions since the begining of history. If we could be assured that our governement would utilize their full power to protect us against extremists it would not be necessary. But they don't. The people doing the violence are the only ones in the wrong here. Words don't kill, they don't maim. If you're going to be angry at anyone lay the blame where it belongs, at the feet of the Islamist Jihadists who are heel bent on finding any reason to kill people who do not share their religion.

Tiago - at this point I vot for option1. Burn the place to the ground.

I really think that if we start shooting back at these immature muslims, that they might back off.

Dave, I can prove that something exist, no one can prove something that doesn't exist. For example, I will give you box and there will be stipulation that you are not allowed to open the box. I want you to prove that there is nothing in
the box, go ahead, and knock yourself out. You are arguing point using stance
of ignorance and you rely on a lack of research on the subject of existence of
God. Do not ask for faith, I have none; I rely exclusively on scientific
explanation for everything that surrounds us. There is philosophical debate on absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. I am sure that you don’t want to get into that.

muhamad and the koran can blow me!

I think aggressive Islamic reaction to criticism of Islam/Muhammed is ignorant. The real issues here are ignorance and poverty. There are plenty of examples of ignorance driving hatred and violence both in and out of religion. (e.g.: Racial lynching). Similarly, poverty tends to lead to disillusionment, etc. Happy, employed, well-fed people rarely riot. On the other hand when people are unhappy, demonizing the "other" is really effective at redirecting angst.

For those that point at this as a fundamental problem with Islam, I'd like to point out that Inquisition wasn't exactly friendly towards "blasphemers." Any religion is very easily hijacked by men in positions of power and the ignorant are rarely well equiped to recognize when they are being manipulated.

As a Muslim friend of mine said "If your beliefs can't stand up to criticism your problem isn't the person issuing the criticism." Unfortunately, that kind of circumspec view is rare in the poor and uneducated masses....

bscol

I really think that if we start shooting back at these immature muslims, that they might back off.

Might I ask what drove you to that conclusion???

Because all actual evidence show that they have been fighting some holly war for thousands of years... Do you really think fighting back will intimidate them???

How about drowning them in debt and hunger by completely removing any business from that region? Let them fight their own wars as we develop some self sufficiency here?

I completely agree TiagoBr - we should not be giving these countries money - we never should have to begin with. But for those rioting and killing Americans overseas - start shooting back at them. It's better than doing nothing but sending a "strong condemnation" to them.

Barry, why is the burden of proof any greater on those who believe in a religion than it is on those who don't.

Religious people have faith their religion is true so they believe despite the fact they have no way of proving it. People who don't believe, such as yourself, have faith there is no religion despite the fact they have no way of proving it. Most religions have texts to "prove" (though not scientifically) they are true. What do atheists have to prove religions don't exist?

Traveler, proving something does or does not exist relies on having the necessary instruments and means to make that proof. We are still trying to prove or disprove the existence of life on Mars. It wasn't until the last 30 years that we have possessed the means to begin to accomplish that task. Each time we get a little closer to the truth but we haven't gotten there yet.

You say you can prove something exists, fine, prove there is intelligent life in the universe, besides ourselves. Prove Obama is out best option for president. If that's too difficult, prove that you exist.

This is what happens when ignorance and religion meet...

Christians were no different, 200 years ago and before...

Until they are educated, and not by sharia...we will continue to see outbursts like these...

We should stop giving them the resources to fight us...no money, no food, no guns, nothing. Maybe they need less time on their hands for rioting...heck, they might even start thinking of ways to feed themselves...

Why don't we just Nuke them all? It would help lower our surplus of Nukes, and remove a bad element from this world, it's a win, win in my book.

"There is no reason for us to allow conflicts that do not concern France to enter our country,'' Ayrault told RTL radio."

You already allowed the conflict to enter, more then any other place in Europe.

The conflict is the muslim cult, has been and always will be until everyone Stands against them. This pig called Mohammed, is in the same league as Hitler, If you don't believe the same way then you are to be wiped from the face of the earth and by no means are you to insult him in anyway without the death penalty. This cult and it's followers are no different, they have just been able to hide behind a word called "religion".

What is the problem with France doing this, they have always ran from enforcing the freedom of its people. By folding to the muslim religious fanticism they are teaching their children that it is ok to bow down to extremisim. What they should do is issue a statement that if there is any assault against any French institution in retribution for a person executing their freedom of expression they will deport all muslims out of the country.

I'm with you JM, Freedom of Speech is too important to be 'threatened out of it'. We fought for it before, and will fight to keep it. Fuss with the Individual Liberties of Americans and you are asking to get burned. If forced to it, we will oblige.

Who are these people who think they are entitled to dictate speech restrictions to the rest of the world? I think they are badly mistaken.

Here is the movie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAiOEV0v2RM

I must have missed The War Of Free Speech - what year was it and who did we fight? Did they have to hide in dark alleys to speak freely before that war?

The people in the Islamic countries need to grow up and realize that freedom of speech in OUR country (and other industrialized nations) is not going to stop because THEY are offended! Just because YOUR religion says something is offensive or wrong, does not mean EVERYONE needs to play by your rule book! This also goes to the "Christian Taliban" in the US!! Killing people who have NOTHING to do with the person who wrote what you disagree with makes no sense!! Our government needs to immediately stop all funds going to these countries. Why are we pouring money into countries who would attack our embassies over a stupid Youtube video or a cartoon?? We need the money here...to help OUR country. All countries do NOT need to be like ours. If anything, this is showing just how different the cultures are! If they want to live in the dark ages, then let them! We need a big show of power from the West to protect our embassies and our people. If certain countries won't allow our soldiers in to protect it, then we need to leave that embassy. Not even worth arguing about. No western country is going to give up its freedom of speech to pacify a religion with such heavy ties to terrorism and violence, nor should we ever.

I agree with skrewedworld. How many times have Muslims referred to anyone not of the Islamic faith as an infidel? Is that not an example of freedom of speech intended as an insult? I consider the source, and people of Islamic faith should do likewise. After all, we are infidels and know no better. Perhaps its just a matter of time until some group of Christian extremists attack a Mosque in the States and then it will really hit the fan. Don't get me wrong, that is not an endorsement of such action, merely an observation.

So for the most part, everybody posting believes that we should not bow to the pressure from the Muslim world regarding this video and any others of like kind. So even though offensive to the Islam religion, freedom of speech trumps being offended ?

I understanding clearing out embassies not wanting to put personnel at risk as the Obama administration did with our 4 dead personnel, but at the same time it looks like the Muslims are holding all the cards. They threatened and we back off still shouting about freedoms, but not standing by it.

For years on the FBI website, it said that they had no evidence that Osama Bin Ladin was involved in 9/11. Richard(the dick) Cheney said that they never claimed that Osama Bin Ladin was responsible for 9/11.

How do you explain Building 7?

No Arab, Afghan, or Muslim ever attacked us on 9/11.

All the rest is racism and bigotry on the part of Christians and Jews.

How's that for 'Free Speach' jerks?

can'ttakenomore (aka King Crimson); just one problem when it comes to trying to growing your own food in parts of the Middle East - the Israelis control the flow of water in that region - no water, no crops.

Infidel is a French word, what they call the Muslims. Racist by it's very nature. It is not what the Muslims call people whom don't accept Islam, no matter how many times that lie is repeated.

Glad to see that most people agree with free speech as a basic tenant of our society. In the West we also recognize freedom of religion. What I have a problem with is calling Islam a "religion." What's the difference between a dictator and a religion that demands everyone "respect" it and not do anything to upset it. Seems to me that the Muslim leaders are acting like dictators. Sharia law has nothing to do with religion and everything to do with imposing a system of terror to control the masses.

I grew up in a day when, if we complained to our parents about Billy or Jinny bullying us, calling us names, etc., we were constantly reminded of the ol' saying: "Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me." Seems to me that in Muslim land the saying has been changed to: "Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will get you killed."

J_P_Patchespal...

I do not believe that. I work for a company that sells water monitoring equipment. We sell many irrigation control systems in the ME as well. Don't let them fool you...if their priorities were food, they'd find the water!

It is not what the Muslims call people whom don't accept Islam

Taiyya, Quran 3:28 lying to the infidel

Violence by Muslims in response to our exercise of free speech is nothing short of an attack on our freedoms. When we have to be afraid to speak out due to a threat we are no longer free to express ourselves.

Free speech isn't something Americans fought for - our ancestors escaped suppression of free speech by fleeing its suppressors of speech in Europe - that suppressor was the Catholic church.

The Catholic church was still beheading people for trying to translate the Bible to English as recently as a few hundred years ago - with the flock unable to read the Bible, the Catholic church could say the Bible said whatever they wanted it to say - your faith in the church was based entirely on what the preachers told you it said.

You could say we granted our selves free speech when we defeated the British - but then you would be admitting that the Catholic church ran Britain.

Really "Christians," don't riot, we are "commanded" to pray, and to pray one for another.

"Love thy neighbour as thyself" is still in the Bible.

If you want CHANGE, real "Change" trust Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.

Sorry to say, but there are people out there who "claim" to be Christians, but they are NOT!

To be a Christian is to be like Jesus Christ, He healed people, raised people from the dead, etc.

These Muslims have a "False" religion! have a good day.

J_P...

I believe you are referring to the Church of England? Remember, it was at odds with the Catholic church at the time...

And yes, we fought G. Britain (revolutionary war)...and freedom of speech/religion was just but one reason for it...taxes were also a big part (taxation without representation)...read your history books much?

canttakenomore - watch the documentary An Orange Clockwork. There are also several articles on the Internet about the fight for natural resources in the Middle East, water being the biggest fight.

I guess you will have to be more specific as to what countries you sell to.

J_P...

Egypt, Afghanistan, Turkey, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Amman, Algeria...as far as I know.

The history of the Church of England has its origins in the last five years of the 6th century in the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Kent, and the Gregorian mission of Saint Augustine. The Church of England emphasises continuity through apostolic succession and traditionally looks to these early events for its origins rather than to the changes brought about by the English Reformation. Events such as Henry VIII's schism with the Roman Catholic Church or the excommunication of Elizabeth I or the wider Reformation in mainland Europe all contributed to the development of the Church of England as it is now established, but are regarded as a continuation of the arrival of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church to the British Isles.

You mean this separation between the Catholics and the Church of England - some separation...lmao. Who needs the history lesson?

I'll bet Catholics disagree with that assessment...

The Muslim killings have nothing to do with any movie posted on youtube. These riots began on Sept. 11th, the anniversary of the WTC attacks. BTW, Osama bin Laden personally claimed responsibility for that attack, and told us it was to get even with us over Lebanon. The Iraq War had nothing to do with that, so the government had no motive to murder it's own people. It's a ridiculous theory. The only theory that makes sense is that radical Muslims who will murder Americans over a youtube flick (or nothing) will also murder Americans in a WTC attack. The burning jet fuel poured down the elevator shafts and heated the steel frame until the building disintegrated. Muslim terrorists also tried to bomb the WTC in 1993, which is why there were people assigned to prevent Muslim attacks on the WTC.

The guys who create South Park also made fun of the Prophet Mohammad and, while they were threatened, there were no murders of American soldiers. These murders have nothing to do with any youtube video. The reason they are now trying to pin it on the video is to create the type of intimidation the French are now bowing to, where they inhibit their own freedom of speech to appease Muslims. We should temporarily remove all of our soldiers and then every country of the world should shower them in insult after insult for years until they grow up, and if they never do, we ought to just nuke them.

BTW, Patches asked about the War of Free Speech. The reason many Americans came to this continent in the first place was to escape religious persecution in Europe. They had unpopular religions, much as many people have in Muslim countries today. Ironically, many of those religions were actually stricter than Catholicism, such as Puritans and Anabaptists. In fact, we had a wave of Irish Protestants followed by a wave of Irish Catholics, both immigrating to escape the fighting between their religions in Ireland. This meant we had a hodge-podge of various different religions trying very hard to live peaceably together on American soil, and paying taxes to England for the privilege. The Revolutionary War put an end to those excessive taxes and brought with it the ideals of freedom of religion and freedom of speech. The idea was that the American government would never persecute people for their beliefs.

History is replete with examples of this. Copernicus, fearing persecution, waited until his death bed to publish his theory that the Earth was round, not flat. Galileo was imprisoned for the remainder of his life after he published his theory that the Earth revolved around the sun, rather than the sun revolving around the Earth. Socrates was tried in court for corrupting the youth, because he doubted the existence of the Greek gods of Mt. Olympus. Although the court decided he had not engaged in wrong-doing, he drank poison that day and killed himself. The War of Free Speech, if not fought during the Revolutionary War for Independence (freedom from government interference, both of foreign origin and within reasonable expectations from their own government), was fought by individuals throughout history who demonstrated how necessary it was. Before the Revolutionary War, any person in America who claimed that witches did not exist would have burned at the stake. Today, you can feely and openly state this. People might get offended, but you will not be tried and burned. We owe much of American progress to our freedom to state our ideas openly, as the collective thoughts of many brains will always out-smart the brain of the scariest person in government. If Muslims wish to develop beyond their dirt camps, they ought to give this concept a try.

canttakenomore; it is Jordan, Egypt (Cairo), Lebanon, and maybe Syria that are affected by the Israelis hogging of the potable water.

I'll bet Catholics disagree with that assessment...

Well sure the Catholics will disagree (worlds greatest history revisionists ever) - any loss of power puckers their hind-end...the faith concepts still remained the same - just a power struggle - not a faith struggle.

But, if the Church of England was different, then it wasn't freedom of speech we were fighting for - it was freedom, period.

Why is it that it is ok for Atheist/agnostics to try to push it down our throats that there is no God, but if a religious individual mentions Jesus or God in passing, they are ridiculed for "believing in fairy tales". You have every right to believe that there is no God. I don't care that you don't because I am one of those people that does not try to convert anyone to my beliefs. I just have faith and if someone asks me about it, then I will answer. But why is that atheists think it is ok to make fun of religious people and bash there beliefs? Isn't that kind of a double standard? All I ask is that atheists practice what they themselves preach and quit shoving your beliefs in every ones face.

As for the story, I don't agree with what the Muslims are doing. I believe in free speech and with the way things are going, someone will eventually try to take that right away from us. I do not believe any religion or the people who follow them have the right to kill innocent people for any reason. I don't believe that any religion should try to convert everybody to their way of thinking. If some one is interested in any said religion, then yes, talk to them about it, but don't shove it in every bodies face if they don't want to hear it.

On the other hand, I do think that this cartoon was purposely published to rile up the already angry Muslims. That's not really right either. I am not saying they shouldn't have published it, but they should have weighed the consequences of their actions and made their decision based on that. Maybe they did and I just don't know it.

Anyway, I am done rambling. Collapse away since thats what happens to people who don't think like you on this vine.

Prophecy revealed Jesus Christ would come many hundreds of years before he did

I predict someone will be born in the future that is later called a prophet, oh, and the world will be in turmoil. See, now I'm a prophet too!

How about we just shoot all the ragheads over there and be done with it.

Militant atheists are just as bad as the extremist religious, at least in their offensiveness and furor.

Religion is about faith. Can one be logical, science-minded, intellectual, and still believe in a greater power? YES. So please stop calling those of us who believe (no matter what religion) idiots, because you don't know what's in our heads and hearts.

Secondly, I really do love the many "experts" in this thread who profess to know so much about Islam. I bet you've never had Muslim friends, never been to a mosque... You make no distinction between extremist Muslims and non-extremists. You do realize that the majority of Muslims just wish to practice their religion and live in peace, right? It's the same as any other religion- there is always a splinter group of extremists who do not represent the values of the majority. So please stop the soapboxing, thinking that every Muslim "prays for jihad against the infidels". It's really unflattering... to you.

commonsensedude-1080861

How about we just shoot all the ragheads over there and be done with it.

You really disgust me. I have reported your comment as inflammatory and I hope it gets removed, or at the very least, collapsed.

You are part of the reason so many people hate Americans. Being stupid, intolerant, violent and hateful is just as bad as what the terrorists do/have done.

The Muslims in general are barbarians, but the Western world likes to poke the dog in the cage. Innocent people will get killed and more money will be spent in security for terrorist threats because of this irresponsible actions, meant just to screw with them, because I don't see any benefit to us coming from this, do you?

Islam is incompatible with western culture.

I prefer to ascribe to the notion of "Civilization and Religion are incompatible."

Religion is about faith.

And from the same source material - "Faith is believing what you know isn't true."

J_P...

Egypt has a number of very large reservoirs...we have equipment there.

Again, if they get hungry, they'll find water. Gives them something to do other than mindless attacks on anyone who thinks different from themselves...

Thomas Paine, centuries ago, when kings were whoring and warring and being civilized and stuff, all religion did was to found schools, universities, hospitals, hospices, orphanages, and create great art, music, and architecture. As for faith being "belief in what you know is not true", many would say that faith is believing in something that SENSE to be true, not that they KNOW it to not be true.

Never thought I would see the day but the Frogs are showing they have bigger balls than we do when dealing with these nut jobs. Anyone remember when the Virgin Mary was painted in feces? Did Christians start bombing and burning embassys?

Irish...

Funny and true (Mary's painting)...but seriously, I have heard of the french being called "frogs"...never understood the origin. Got any clues? I figure it must go back to WWII or something...

Why do we have to be worried about what the tyrannical a$$holes are going to do over cartoons and youtube movies?!?! F' THEM!!!! How about instead of closing down embassies and schools, you send your military to guard the embassies and shoot anyone trying to do what they've been doing to American embassies. Afterall, isn't the land your embassy occupies part of your home country? Therefore, they are invading your territory and deadly force is justified. They only respect the hammer. Give them the hammer before they go jihad and kill everyone else. They have no respect for life and you can't fight that by closing down and running away.

NYdoglover,

You are correct. The bs last week at our US Embassy was the same as attacking us on our soil. But according the the brain dead media and Washington it was a protest that got out of hand. Pfff. But seriously guys, Islam is the religion of peace until you do something they dont like then they blow you up, burn you and cut off your head. Yeah, really peaceful.

Mtnman-3241953

JM- your such a brave soul, why don't you over and guard the embassies and exercise your right of free speech? It's just a matter of common sense, which seems to be lost. If it is going to have someone killed, don't do it!

You forget history, the kind of people America was founded by, and the principles it is based on, Mtnman. Americans risked (and many gave) their lives to acquire independence and freedom (including of Speech), they they will not let anyone take it away. God bless America.

Thank you Irish 21. I'm glad there are some like minded people here. They are not a peaceful religion. There are people that are Muslim that are peaceful, but we can see that country after country after country spew hate and violence Muhammad.

@ AthiestBob:

I am SICK of hearing "The Christians This, The Christians That". Would you care to throw a figure out there of how many "Dr.'s" & associates have been killed over the abortion issue in the last 35 years? I'll tell you: In 6 attacks, there's been 8 deaths..... Would you care to know how many deaths were caused by Muhammadans just last WEEK? The week of the 8th to the 14th there were 49 individual "Terrorist" attacks, resulting in 250+ deaths and 650+ critically injured world-wide.

I'm actually an Agnostic, but I've studied a multitude of religions EXTENSIVELY, and while there's some BAD $hit that has been done in the "name" of Christianity, there is NOTHING in their Dogma that supports Killing in ANY way.....

I think that it's high time the Left quits beating a dead horse here, and actually LOOKS at the REAL Evil, which is ISLAM..... I DARE you to really Check It Out!

Muhammad gave permission for Muslims to lie in order to draw out those who spoke against the "Religion of Peace" from their places of refuge so that they might be killed for expressing their discontent. This was the case with the murder of Ka’b al-Ashraf, who had composed derogatory poems about Muslim women:

Perhaps it would behoove you to bother checking FACTS before you blindly spew forth nonsensical platitudes regarding the similarity between Islam and Christianity that you either made up or are just parroting from some Left-Wing-What-Have-We-Done-That-Makes-Them-Hate-Us website. Although you're PARTIALLY correct when you say there's some similarity between the Talmudic Law and the Koran, it's primarily in the area of Dietary Law.

The only REAL resemblance between the Hebrew God YHWY, or "Jehovah", and the Islamic "Allah" is that both "Deities" are "Monotheistic", meaning that they are to be considered the "Only" God. The Christian faith expounds on the Jewish God as the Father of Christ, who was the "fulfillment" of the Old Testament Law. Allah, however, was just one of many of the pantheon of "gods" that the "Pagan" Arabs worshipped. "He" was, in fact, nothing but a minor "Moon God" in this time period.

Your assertion that there are great similarities between Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are fatally flawed. While in the Old Testament, which the Jews follow, there ARE stories of the Hebrews slaughtering peoples of other faiths on the command of "God", but if you were to actually look at the way that the stories are written, you would find that they are a "one-time" deal, meaning that they were supposed to do it in THIS or THAT instance, but it was not a blanket statement to do it on a continual, to the End-Of-Time, basis.

The Christian religion, on the other hand, while paying attention to the Old Testament, are nevertheless specifically required to "Turn the Other Cheek", rather than abide by the O.T. laws requiring an "Eye for an Eye". If you can SHOW ME where it says ANYWHERE in the New Testament that Christians are REQUIRED by God to spread the new faith BY THE SWORD, I will personally EAT an entire Bible. But... I'm afraid that would be a bet that you'd lose. This is NOT to deny that great atrocities have never been committed in the name of Christianity, but those incidents have absolutely NO SCRIPTURAL BASIS, and you'll find that the sort of deeds committed are expressly forbidden.

Now... for today's lesson on Islam: I will state unapologetically and without prejudice or hate that Muhammad, the "Prophet" of Allah, was A) A Liar, B) A Murderer, C) A Thief, and D) Muhammad was a Despot who spread his new "Religion" by the sword, and I'll SHOW you this with the "Scriptures" of the Koran and the Hadiths, (the accompanying books that make up the rest of their Holy Books).

Muhammad was a Liar:

Muhammad was a Murderer:

Allah's Apostle said, "Who is willing to kill Ka'b bin Al-Ashraf who has hurt Allah and His Apostle?" Thereupon Muhammad bin Maslama got up saying, "O Allah's Apostle! Would you like that I kill him?" The Prophet said, "Yes," Muhammad bin Maslama said, "Then allow me to say a (false) thing (i.e. to deceive Ka'b). "The Prophet said, "You may say it."

(Bukhari 59:369

An elderly man was murdered following Muhammad’s order to kill any non-Muslim who remained in Mecca following his capture of the city in 630. (The early part of the Qur'an's ninth chapter commands the slayings). The man's death is recorded in Bukhari:

The Prophet recited Suratan-Najm (103) at Mecca and prostrated while reciting it and those who were with him did the same except an old man who took a handful of small stones or earth and lifted it to his forehead and said, "This is sufficient for me." Later on, I saw him killed as a non-believer.

(Bukhari 19:173)

Muhammad was a Thief:

After his eviction by the Meccans, Muhammad and his Muslims found refuge many miles away in Medina where they were not being bothered by their former adversaries. Despite this, Muhammad sent his men on seven unsuccessful raids against Meccan caravans before finally finding one, whereupon they murdered the driver and plundered the contents. This particular caravan was especially vulnerable because the attack came during the holy months, when the merchants were least expecting it due to the generally agreed upon rule that the tribes of the area would not attack each other during that time:

[A Muslim raider] who had shaved his head, looked down on them [the Meccan caravan], and when they saw him they felt safe and said, "They are pilgrims, you have nothing to fear from them." (Ibn Ishaq/Hisham 424)

The shaved head caused the Muslims to look like pilgrims rather than raiders, which instilled a false sense of security in the drivers. However, Islam was a different sort of religion than what the Meccans were used to:

[The Muslim raiders] encouraged each other, and decided to kill as many as they could of them and take what they had. Waqid shot Amr bin al-Hadrami with an arrow and killed him... (Ibn Ishaq/Hisham 425)

According to Ibn Kathir, the Muslims living in Mecca did not dispute that their brethren in Medina had killed, captured and stolen from the Quraish, but they were reluctant to accept that this had occurred during the sacred months:

The Quraysh said that Muhammad and his Companions violated the sanctity of the Sacred Month and shed blood, confiscated property and took prisoners during it. Those who refuted them among the Muslims who remained in Makkah replied that the Muslims had done that during the month of Sha`ban (which is not a sacred month (Ibn Kathir)

Muhammad spread the new "Religion" by the sword:

Several poets were murdered by Muhammad at Mecca for the crime of having mocked him. One such poet, named Ka’b bin Zuhayr, saved his own skin by converting to Islam after finding no other way to avoid execution. (Ibn Ishaq/Hisham 888-889).These sorts of conversions were fully recognized by Muhammad, as proven by this hadith, in which he rebukes a soldier for killing a person who had "converted" merely to save his life:

The Hadith also records that many other Meccans converted to Islam under obvious duress. As one apprehensive observer noted to Muhammad at the time.

They embraced Islam because) they were defeated at your hands (and as such their Islam is not dependable).(Sahih Muslim 445

Allah's Apostle sent us towards Al-Huruqa, and in the morning we attacked them and defeated them. I and an Ansari man followed a man from among them and when we took him over, he said, "La ilaha illal-Lah." On hearing that, the Ansari man stopped, but I killed him by stabbing him with my spear. When we returned, the Prophet came to know about that and he said, "O Usama! Did you kill him after he had said "La ilaha ilal-Lah?" I said, "But he said so only to save himself." The Prophet kept on repeating that so often that I wished I had not embraced Islam before that day. (Bukhari 59:568)

I suppose that I need to end today’s Lesson on the difference between Islam and virtually EVERY other Religion on the planet today. This is the ONLY religion that not only condones, but actually ADVOCATES the wholesale slaughter of ANYONE who is an "Infidel". I think that I’ll end this with one last Quote from the "Holy Book" of this so-called "Religion of Peace":

"Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. And those with him are hard (ruthless) against the disbelievers and merciful among themselves" (Sura 49:28)

thank you edward. awesome post. explains a lot.

All of the tactics employed by radical Islam (including tactical responses) can be found in "The Art Of War" by Sun Tzu.

That's the way charlie! Immersion therapy is the best cure for a phobia, soak them, up to the eyeballs.

The movie has it right! Are you muslims listening! Old mohammed was a fraud, get used to it.

You liberals are comical, big atheists but when it comes to mohammed, you are as silent as church mice.

Freddy-667576

Freddy-667576 said, "It amazes me when I see educated people still believing in these fairy tales."

Funny, I had something similar in mind. It amazes me when I see educated (??) people still practicing early-20th-century discrimination, persecution, & bigotry.

Amazes yes, surprises no. Those who trash others personal beliefs rarely mature enough to find the wisdom of how to respect EVERYONE. The topic of this article is one good example of people doing that, and I'm NOT Muslim. The wording in your reply is yet another.

Edward,

Thanks for the info and your honesty. It is a strange phenomenon where Muslims will allow people to live if they convert to Islam. I guess that is their version of Merciful. during to conquest of the Ottoman Empire, tens of thousands of Christians would be tortured and killed in a day, but if someone converted they could be let into their Armed forces. They received a Muslim Name, and went on their way. Many such conversions became high ranking notables and generals.

Lazarus

I agree larry. Thank-you Edward. Also kudo's to exasperated737. Great posts. Informative, heartfelt, & true.

Viva La France! Standing your ground; showing the world you cherish the freedom of thought. Unlike some other countries who ignore their principles of demockracy.

What kind of idiots riot over a cartoon or insulting film? Those idiots are demonstrating that the criticism is justified. Contempt for people who ignore your sensibilities is one thing, killing them is just animalistic and criminal.

xina, Free speech is a right yes, but only so far as it doesn't impede on the rights of others. One of those rights is safety in ourselves and our properties. You utilize your right to free speech then you must accept responsibility for your words, you cannot yell "fire" in a crowded building because of the chance of stampede and the possible death and mayhem you would cause. Therefore you must be responsible for your videos, audio, and written word when you're taking the chance of inciting a violent reaction from those you target.

Some aspects of Islam ARE backwards by western standards, but a mature, "civilized" person educates a "child" via persuasion, example, and dialogue, not via taunting and ridicule. The latter two things only serve to satisfy the people who employ them.

the Muslim population is made of 1400 years of inbreeding and the resultant problems inherent to that include idiocy, birth defects, and an inability to function rationally in a modern society.

Nikolaus, you forgot a good dose of corporal punishment. We have seen firsthand over the last 40-50 years where trying to educate through only persuasion, example and dialogue have gotten us. These people need a good swat on the backside to get their attention.

mountain man, you explain these jihadists, then.

they must be from the mountains of Pakistan

Yes, we need more, not less. The more that Muslims understand that not everyone must obey their religion's rules, the more they will understand that they are PART of this world, not ALL of it.

I do not believe in their religion, and therefore, I am NOT subject to their rules. The same goes for Christendom. They are both belief systems, just not mine. If I must be subject to their beliefs, then they must be subject to mine, as well. And since most of mine butt heads with theirs, I don't think that logic will work. I can't help that they have the wrong systems, but that's their choice, too. (See how that works!)

Respect my religion or I will kill you burn your propetry and insult you does not seem to be religious to me.

Does anyone understand that America is one of the few countries that have free speech? When is it our business to push such an idea on other countries. I'm glad to see that other countries are getting out of the ME because it is proven that we are not welcome. We have done nothing but spread death and destruction all through the region and Americans are getting tired of it. Just as we would never be occupied here, the ME countries are fed up with our influence and occupation. Get out and lets take care of our own country.

a mature, "civilized" person educates a "child" via persuasion, example, and dialogue, not via taunting and ridicule.

And when a child misbehaves they are punished. They are disciplined and put in time out. They hav etheir priviledges taken away from them and are sent ot bed without supper. If they are really bad they have possessions taken away and might even get a spanking.

They are not apologized to and given presents and hugs and allowed to get their way because they threw a fit.

It will be a cold day in hell when I cower before these Muslim fanatics!

Absolutely correct. They are racist barbaric children that want a good cry over everything.

Have you noticed that there haven't been any protests in places like Dubai? That's because they have $MONEY$ and live well, so they don't give a crap. All of the cave dwellers live like savages and act like them too.

The entire free world should draw cartoons of that child molester Muhammad and air drop them over every one of these countries and then just sit back and watch them burn their countries to the ground.

ladies and gentlemen, "Train up a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it(Pro.22:6)."

It's just my opinion but maybe it would be a good idea to respect other peoples beliefs, but still hold tight to your own beliefs.

While I completely agree that we should have freedom of speech, we should also temper it with good judgement and common sense. Why poke a tiger with a stick when you know what the results will be. We will never back down from these idiots, we just need to remember who the idiots are. All Muslims are not bad the same way all Christians are not bad. I'm a cop and try my best to be a good one. There are bad cops out there to, but that don't make all of us bad, even though it seems to reflect on us all. We need to do away with the idiots and quit blaming the entire Muslim religion. Likewise the Muslims need to understand that all Americans are not a bunch of hate mongers.

Many people wonder why the attack on the embassies take place when individuals create movies or publish cartoons which are blasphemous of mohammed. Salmon Rushdie was on John Stewart's show last night and he explained it rather well. For most of the Middle East, the people have never lived in any kind of democracy. Everything written or released on film in most of the countries goes through a government sensor who determines whether or not it is acceptable.

Most of the people who are protesting simply can't conceive of the concept of free speech. They simply do not understand that the government does not control the thoughts, words and actions of the people who are making the video and the cartoon.

That is the cultural divide which will have to be crossed for an understanding between the Middle East and Western democracies to take place. It will likely take generations for the cultural change to take hold.

Unfortunately we dont have "generations" to allow this to continue, to allow our people to be attacked, tortured, raped and murdered. For our freedoms to be attacked and then suppressed. We have to STOP all funding for these countries. We will not succeed in forcing our ideas of democracy and freedom on them, we could never give them enough enough $$$$ to gain acceptance of our ideals. It's damn well time to stop trying. We need to get out of their countries. STOP doing anything for them. Take care of our own people and strengthen our nation. What will one more penny to the muslim brothrhood do for us?????

Ahh but you are talking about a slippery slope. If we start to curb our free speech for fear it will offend the Muslim population then what's next?

Nikolaus:

Freedom of speech means I have the right to offend you, even on purpose. You might punch me in the nose for offending or insulting you, but that is another matter.

One might consider that these violent reactions of Islamic followers "illuminates" the possibility that the efforts made by modern societies to encourage free thinking and to embrace tolerance has been a total failure. It is my opinion that a few years of interaction, not to mention the application of military force, will not even dent the level of indoctrination these fanatics are given from birth.

Anyone with a modicum of intelligence should be able to see that this level of violence is more of a reflection of the instability of the "Islamic" educated peoples than an infraction on the intent of "free speech" as intended by our Constitution.

this took place in France. Can't compare their "freedoms" to ours

France is more "free" than the US in many respects, FYI.

The magazine should not cower to the "religion of peace"( who are all potential fanatics, no matter what they say), but they have been firebombed before, and this time I fear it will be more serious. There are thousands of young muslims in France who are just itching to attack, burn, destroy, and generally bite the hand that feeds them.

I hope when the riots come they will be identified and dealt with very harshly.

1500 years they been killing pillageing and maining each other over which part of their so called religion of peace and the only thing that unites them is some stupid belief being mocked by an outsider. Calling westerners the devil is ok but we in turn cannot mock their gods?

It absolutely does matter even though this particular incident happened in France. All free socities world wide have to take a stance against these people that would destroy all those with the audacity to say anything at all offensive to them. There is also a huge difference in the case of HRH and this cartoon. The pictures of Kate were taken from offf of her property where without the use of the higest tech cameras and lenses they wouldn't have even been able to see her much less take pics, hence invasion of privacy. The cartoon is a personal opinion protected by free speech rights.

Scubasteve58001 - Not publishing a cartoon mocking Muhammad during riots about the very subject is not curbing free speech. Its exercising sound judgement. The author of the cartoon did it for one reason. To throw gas on the fire. Freedom of speech does not equate to freedom from responsibility.

chris65,

Please tell us how France is more free than the US in many respects.

Be specific.

France is more free because it is a secular country.

For instance there is no "In God We Trust" bull@!$%#, the power of the church has been put aside more than a century ago, sometimes with brute force. And it worked.

Religions are allowed and respected as long as they are practised peacefully, like a kid's belief in Santa Claus.

Skup.

I have to agree with you. Considering the current tensions in the ME, ridiculous as they are, publishing these cartoons was the equivilent to shouting "FIRE" in a theater or "BOMB" in an airport! This was not free speech, this was inciting a riot!

We need to stop cowering before the ridiculous hair-trigger rage of Islamic fundamentalism and STAND UP for western values which include Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Expression.

Adam44 - I would suggest you demonstrate your freedom of speech by hopping on a plane, flying to the middle east, find a nice city center square and burn a qur'an then let us know how that works out for you. It's real easy to call for someone else to stop cowering for you.

perhaps he is making an attempt to desensitize them , the more a person is bombarded with what they perceive as offensive the less it will affect them .

So if I create a group of people who fanatically believe that Black Liquorice is a gift from God, Holy and cannot be defiled, and that Red Vines are an abomination and offence to the Gods who gave us a perfect candy... And then someone comes along and makes a cartoon about how black liquorice is horrible and disgusting and is only consumed by ignorant dirt bags... We should be able to riot and kill them for offending our religion as we defend our candy. After all, they were clearly in the wrong for inciting our violence. We, as black liquorice lovers, are clearly too passionate about our candy that we could not possibly be expected to act rationally. The anti black liquorice film makers clearly were throwing gasoline on the fire and should be punished for hate speech... right?

If we give in here, and blame the speech of one for the actions of another, where do we draw the line? Do we blame Planned parenthood for inciting the bombings at abortion clinics? Do we blame Gay rights activists for inciting gay bashing? It doesn't matter if you agree with the speaker or not. It does not give you or anyone else the right to riot and kill people over it.

I like your analogy Xina , and I love black liquorice !

Nikolaus20

You are wrong, free speech is exactly that... The right to speak your mind irregardless of what the subject is and whom it might offend.

Thanks for trying to rewrite history. Back to the drawing board for you.

Adam44 - I would suggest you demonstrate your freedom of speech by hopping on a plane, flying to the middle east, find a nice city center square and burn a qur'an then let us know how that works out for you. It's real easy to call for someone else to stop cowering for you.

Hey Skup, Stfu.

You are the coward who would trade in your freedoms in order to appease nutjob fundamentalists. Grow a pair you coward.

Until someone stands up to these people Islam will take over the world , which is their intent.

The threat of violent reprisal is not a valid reason to restrict freedom of speech, and it is not like yelling fire in a crowded theater. If all it takes to make speech illegal is for someone to claim they are offended by it, then any and all speech may be eradicated in the same way. Freedom of Speech becomes meaningless very quickly under such circumstances.

westerner8933

Good ole Nikolaus20 has declared himself the judge of all that is NECESSARY and all that is UNNECESSARY.

Let's all hail Nikolaus20 for being showing us the politically-correct path, shall we?

Hip-hip hoo-rah

Hip-hip hoo-rah

Hip-hip hoo-rah~

//sarcasm alert for the truly ignorant...

I declared nothing, I expressed an opinion, and others have expressed the same. Rather than disagree thoughtfully, you resorted to ridicule, the m.o. of a ten year old brat. Well done.

I made it clear that Islam should be criticized, but if you believe that it's acceptable and NECESSARY to publish yet another thing mocking Islam at this time, given the world climate that we are in now - which may result in more destruction of property and loss of innocent life, then you have "issues" which surpass your inability to wield sarcasm.

tombones

Nikolaus20

"You are wrong, free speech is exactly that... The right to speak your mind irregardless of what the subject is and whom it might offend.

Thanks for trying to rewrite history. Back to the drawing board for you."

Sorry pal, but unnecessarily throwing grease on a grease fire and endangering innocent lives in the process isn't "free speech" that makes the world a better place. I clearly stated that there were many ways to criticize Islam, without resorting to the kind of childish, mocking behavior that incites fanatics to riot and kill. If you have a conscience, your right to free speech in this regards ends at the right of other people to not lose their lives so that you can have your "say". Choosing one's words or actions carefully in a time when passions are heated does not equal capitulation, it equals maturity and concern for others.

Quote from the article: "He accused those involved of trying to provoke a clash of civilizations, not dialogue"

Who in their right mind, would want a dialogue or friendship with a fanatic who will be ready to kill you if you dare do or say something that he/she considers offensive anyway? I'd rather stay away from the fanatic, and stick with real friends, with whom I can have a conversation about anything and everything, including religion, without the friend resorting to violence whenever he/she feels offended.

Skup

Adam44 - I would suggest you demonstrate your freedom of speech by hopping on a plane, flying to the middle east, find a nice city center square and burn a qur'an then let us know how that works out for you. It's real easy to call for someone else to stop cowering for you.

Skup, you got it all wrong. We have freedom of speech here, and will defend it. We know how important it is, and we know that people get arrested, tortured, and killed, for expressing themselves in countries where they don't have Freedom of speech. YOU jump on a plane and fly to the middle east, express whatever opinions you have on whatever subject you chose, and see how it goes in a country where you won't have free speech. Maybe after a while you will understand why we need to stand up for it, and not let fanatics take it away.

Whether or not it's necessary to make another disparaging image of Mohammed is beside the point. It is our RIGHT to make a image of him carved from pig dung if we so choose. Is it nice? no. Is it moral? probably not. Is it legal. Absofrickinglutley. And I'll be damned if I'm going to allow some cave dwelling psychopath tell me, you or anyone else in this country that we can't. If we had leaders with balls they'd all be scared of us instead of the other way around.

Your right Xina but.....all the so called "leaders" are all way too busy kissing butt trying to get the vote in NOV. and being extremely PC!!!!

Not-in, our current nobrana nodonothing pres is doing the same thing here

The French once took control in Muslim countries like Egypt and Morocco. I'm sure they impressed the locals with French "superiority", making some of them WANT to go to France. In the 19th century, Protestant Americans got their knickers in a twist because, gasp!, Irish Catholics were bringing their un-American religion into Protestant Happy Land. That worked out okay, and I suspect in time that future generations of Muslims in Europe and America will soften and become more fully assimilated.

Will never happen, not in this lifetime

France HAS been deporting radical imams in the last few years. Problem is, their country of origin doesn't want them back. There was one advocating the beating of women, while living on french soil with multiple wives, off social security. We kicked him out. What do you do with trash not even wanted by their nation of origin ??

How exactly would you have the French "screen" potential citizens who are Muslim, or expel citizens who are Muslim? Islam is interpreted by different Muslims in different ways. I know Muslims, and they are liberal, moderate, and rigid in varying degrees. No country in the west ties religion to citizenship. As long as citizens follow the rules of their new country, their religion is their own business. If their religion trumps following the rules and causes problems, then they are disciplined or expelled for not following the rules, not because of their religion.

There are Christians in America who would circumvent the Constitution for crying out loud. Shall we expel or refuse entry to all Christians? Saying that all Muslims should be expelled from France because of their BELIEFS kind of contradicts all the "free speech" comments left here, doesn't it now. People in France can believe what they will and pretty much say what they will. If they are to be expelled, it will be because of what they DO.

No country in the west ties religion to citizenship.

Christians are trying to do that here. My take on this is if you believe Islam is a true religion and the west is the haunt of the devils then why would you want to go live there anyway? This so called religion of peace cannot even suport their own people as the head guys over there keep all the good stuf and leave the scraps for their subjects. Iraq had one of the highest poverty rates in the middle east while their leaders dined in luxury in gold filled palaces. Then they got into a fight with their neighbors and killed off over a million people between them.

"John-2686393

Not-in, our current nobrana nodonothing pres is doing the same thing here"

Good! he should be doing nothing about Frances problems. But I guess you think he should start a war every time some nut jobs does something you don't like? It seems as though nuts come from every corner of the world and always want to kill someone they don't agree with.

PS I'm assuming you're talking about Obama but if you are you really really misspelled his name. However if you thought you were being clever it only made you sound like a 4 year old.

Didn't hear anyone call for war over this. However, deporting all illegals and those who remain after visas are expired etc.. needs to happen. Immigration has to stop at this time. WE need to close down our borders. All funding to thesse countries need to stop. Obama is planning to send more money to the muslim brotherhood. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN!!!! WE need to straighten up our own country first instead of being the world caretaker and piggy bank. Especiallly for terrorists that would like to control our freedom of speech. Feed our own people and let these anti anyone who is not muslim haters fend for themselves.

Every civilized country in the world should publish daily pictures such as these. When they find out they don't dictate to the rest of the world they'll give up.

Why did Muslims emigrate to France? I suspect for the same reason so many Pakistanis and Indians moved to England - because those 2 countries occupied them - France in N. Africa (Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco), and UK in India until the religious rift (Islam, Hindu) when they then created Pakistan and E. Pakistan, now Bangladesh.

As soon as those areas became independent, life went down the toilet and they all rushed to their former rulers using their rights as colonial subjects.

Of course, it was great 100 years ago while UK and France were hauling in the resources but now later generations are reaping what was sown before: incompatible cultures.

Wait till all the Iraqi and Afghani refugees start pouring into US. Oh oh oh.

Nikolaus20: About your comment that no Western countries tie religion to citizenship -- read this quote from former President George H. W. Bush, "No,
I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered as patriots. This is one nation under God."

Unbelievable!

Because not all Muslims are the same. You can't equate the folks you see on TV to every Muslim in the world.

amietamant, your comment proves only that George Bush ties religion to citizenship. George Bush is not "America", and he does not define our laws.

"I suspect in time that future generations of Muslims in Europe and America will soften and become more fully assimilated."

Seewhat I mean188

"Will never happen, not in this lifetime"

I beg to differ. I work at a university. Muslim students are involved with all kinds of activities and causes that are not strictly in harmony with hard core Islam, and Muslim female students who choose to wear a head scarf often combine it with jeans or slacks, which are forbidden in Muslim countries. Their Islam is not the same as that held by their parents or grandparents.

So you say that the guy who made the crappy film with historic facts should be thrown to the Islam cultists who do not want the truth known.. They kill people who question the Koran in their Islamic dictatorships.. Our country was founded on pointing out evil and wrong doing.. Pointing out those who would take away our freedoms under the guise of religion or any other means is every Americans duty..

The guy who made this "crappy" movie is Egyptian and is hiding here in the US. He is like the little guy in the bar who taunts and pisses of the nastiest guy in the bar then runs and hides behind his big buddy. Should the big buddy protect the little guy and get a black eye and bloody nose, or should he give the little guy up to face the consequences of his actions? I say the latter!

@Roadrunnero : a new genre is born: godflicks. My hope is that this film was only the first of a series on all religions and prophets. That would be fair and fun.

I also understand from your statement on freedoms that you won't vote for the GOP's presidential candidate. I am starting to like you.

Dudditz-3128976

As a United States citizen and U.S. Navy veteran, I will defend the right to free speech with my life. I will never be cowed by terrorism, even that perpetrated by my own country. Then again, you won't find me poking at bears, either. I puzzle at the people who, seemingly unprovoked, would deliberately make hurtful or hateful comments. They do not represent the views of the general populace. Any retribution should be directed at THEM.

While I respect you and thank you for your service, and while I agree that people who deliberately make hateful comments do not represent the views of the general populace (try to explain that to extremists tho), I do not agree about the retribution part. We have freedom of speech in this country, and this man, no matter how insulting his movie may be, had the right to express his opinion about Muhammad, Islam, and any and everyone else. There is tons of videos on youtube, posted by either hateful muslims, or other religious persuasions, insulting to americans, westerners in general, and insulting to believers of other prophets and religions, accompanied by tons of insulting and hateful comments, but no one is complaining about these videos, I don't see any fatwas declared on any of these guys, and I don't see any attacks nor murders committed because of them either. If there is anything this guy's movie was probably pretty mellow compared to some of these videos.

As you said we won't find you poking at bears, and you are right, that would be very stupid, but the question is wouldn't it be as stupid to live among bears, knowing they might turn around and attack you at any time? Would it be wise to try to have a dialogue and friendship with bears? It didn't turn out too well for Timothy Treadwell and a few others. My point, as I'm sure you understood, is that we should stay away from people who may attack and kill us whenever we say or do something that offends them. We should get out of muslim countries, and have minimal communication with them, until they grow out of their "fanatic" phase (hopefully that will happen eventually). We should close our embassies in every country where they were attacked by fanatics, as if they are going to attack and murder our fellow citizens every time someone says something they don't like, it is simply too dangerous, we can't leave potential hostages in their countries, and let them take away our Freedom of speech in case they attack and murder people again.

And "political" wars (like in Afghanistan and Vietnam) don't do us any good either, it just gets our soldiers killed. WW1 and WW2 were won because they were "real" wars, no messing around, we had to win, period.

Hey dude, go back on your meds! Your violent behavior isn't any better, nor is it the answer either!!!

He made a statement with words on a post. How does that make him violent? Thats stupid.

Yeah I'm sure he meant to go give them all hugs and kisses. Talk about stupid.

@seewhat'

Intended or unintended I appreciate your reproach.

lets take some more meds and get it on.

We can't bomb them back to the stoneage if they are already live there. But when they rise up and kill one of ours, we need to kill 10 of theirs. It doesn't matter how, but it needs to be done. If they want to play like its the middle ages, well let us play. Strong unified will and a quick response are the only things they respect, even if they still want us dead, they will think twice before storming an embassy.

That would be the second reason.

Very well said! I couldn't agree more. And if they are SO against everything that we stand for here, then why are there so many of them here and why do they want to come here so badly? Islam has no place here. All Muslims should leave and we all should support that, just as they did in Australia.

Australia did not pass a ban on Muslims. Some of their Senators wanted the ban, but it did not pass. There is only a law that requires women to lift their veils, nothing more. The fastest growing religion in the US is Islam. You cannot blame an entire religion for the actions of only a few.

Islam is not the ennemy, religions are, encouraging ignorance and intolerance.

I agree that when Muslims migrate to the USA - there is something wrong in their own country. They arrive, get settled and then start pushing for their laws to take precedent over ours. They want OUR courts to up hold THEIR laws.

IF they don't want to live by the Laws of our land, then perhaps they need to pack up and go back to their county where THEIR laws exists. See the noted link from the Huffington Post on their battle for their laws in our country.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/02/sharia-law-explained_n_1292452.html

Our concern should be that our current POTUS just might see things their way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=tCAffMSWSzY#t=28

I think the fastest growing religion (or lack of) in the US is atheism , the number of people that will admit to it roughly doubled from 2001 to 2009 to nearly 15% and the demographics show that as older people die off that number will continue to grow at a fast pace .

Just being out on the road I see many examples of self proclaimed religious people acting very non-religious it makes one wonder just how much belief could a person of that caliber really have . Example is the minivan with several NOTW stickers all over the place honking and flipping off a person that infringed on her right of way in a parking lot , now I may be atheist but as I understand it she should be turning the other cheek should she not ? It's not as if they tried to harm her or her property , they just took their turn to go after she hesitated to go . That's just one example but I see it every day everywhere I go .

Hi Adwaup--your post, second paragraph, is why, as a Christian, I think my fellow Christians need to think twice about weather they put a Christian bumper sticker on their car--are the ones prone to angry outbursts willing to give up their 'birds' and angry honking and crazy driving so as not to misrepresent Jesus? If not, then they need to not wear the bumper sticker, not if they want to avoid being a bad witness, anyway.

Laurent Fabius has a point. It IS putting oil on the fire. It's not like muslims are not easy to antagonize, and their reaction are very predictable, and totally out of proportion with the offense. Does that mean we should appease them ? That's open to debate.

Nice photo of yourself.

As the Beastie Boys so elegantly put it, "If you read it in the post, then it can't be news"

Every religion should be banned as they promote ignorance.

I mean, look at the USA: there is a majority of US citizens who believe their god created the whole universe. How silly is that ? I don't see much difference with the muslims in that respect.

Also, many citizens on american soil suffered from stupid hate speeches and physical violence after 9/11, just because they were of arab origins or looked like they were. How silly is that? I don't see much difference either. It's the same kind of ignorance, on a different scale.

@AtheistBob -

"I mean, look at the USA: there is a majority of US citizens who believe their god created the whole universe. How silly is that "?

I would adventure to say that you are just as "silly" and "ignorant" to believe God doesn't exist. As the saying goes " There are NO Atheists in Foxholes".

When the going gets tough, even the atheists seem to be able to find it within themselves to offer a prayer or two. Danger seems to have this ability to bring out the "believer" from within even the most ardent disbeliever. Ask any "believing" soldier who was in a foxhole with an "Atheist". They were not Atheist at that moment in time.

@ Renee - Northern CA : who invented that saying? Most probably a chuchgoer.

I'm not saying that God does not exist. It does. In some people's mind. Lots of people. And we have to live with that, whether it's God, Allah or one of the thousands deities around the planet fighting for #1.

All kids believe in Santa untill someone tells them it's not true. Unfortunately some adults can't be as easily convinced of the sad truth.

Mooslimbs should be deported from all western countries and contained in mooselimb countries. They can overpopulate mooselimb countries and rot amongst their own. It is high time we segregate them and have nothing to do with them. Filthy scum!

the first and only time I heard the saying " There are NO Atheists in Foxholes" was Colonel Potter on MASH and in that scene he was drunk . Not very true with respect to near or imminent death people suddenly turning religious , I know personally I have had a few unbelievably close calls with death and have yet to start spontaneously praying especially when I have no doubt it would not change the outcome , I prefer to keep a cool head and make my best effort to stay alive .

If you outlaw one religion you must outlaw them all, and our founding fathers were about religious freedom, no matter the religion. Don't spread hate and persecution, you too easily mimic the extremists.

astounding: After all, if you read both the Old and New Testaments, you'll find they're full of intolerance, hatred, and violence. The Christian Bible is more militant than the Koran.

@amietamant: Quite true.

Besides, the Bible, the Koran and the Torah share common elements. We did not invent copy/paste. It is as old as the world.

Funnily enough, all three religious best sellers borrow shamelessly from the egyptian "Book of the Dead", which had become big business in ancient Egypt, the priests funding their temples with thousands of copies sold to credulous rich people willing to guarantee themselves a passage to afterlife.

A great marketing ploy, since it was originally a pharao's privilege.

Let's say the texts were then spiced up by the three best sales rep of their time, Jesus, Moses and Muhammad. An adaptation of sorts, to keep up with the evolving beliefs, with pinches of novelties here and there for the fun of it. So much for "revelation"... and the authors fought for sales numbers, sort of. They still do today, so it seems.

@annon - Have you ever heard of perfect freedom of will? In allowing everything one introduces conflict. A subject cannot allow everything, because there are polar opposites on every side of every issue. Therefore some things have to be eliminated, as harsh as that sounds.

@amietamant - Nowhere in the bible did Jesus slay people and force the at sword point to accept his religion. There are over 100 passages in the Koran that preach violence specifically against christians and non-believers. If you think the Christian Bible is more militant than the Islamic Koran, then sir I'm afraid you simply do not know your history or your facts. It was the Muslims who invaded the iberian peninsula and pushed towards the Byzantium Empire which kicked off the crusades, denying Christians and Jews any right to see the place of their holiest sites. If you sir are suggesting the Christian Bible is so militant as to promise a way into heaven by strapping a bomb on your chest and walking on to a random bus with random people because of their skin tone or religion, than again, I'd have to point out the faults in your argument. You may have read the old and New Testaments as well and found them full of violence, but I beg you sir to find any culture that has not had intimate relations with wars, hatred and intolerance. If you answer truthfully you will finde intolerance, hatred, and violence in your own soul when dwelling on certain issues. This is human nature, it is how it is handled which determines whether a person/nation is militant, and flying jets into world trade towers or killing olympians or pirating vessels of all nations is advocated by their top clergy to this day.

@ astounding : you should read your history books again. The crusades had nothing to do with the conquest of the iberian peninsula by the Arabs, which started three centuries earlier than the first crusade, which objective was to deliver Jerusalem from the Turcs. As far as I know Spain and Jerusalem are rather far apart and Turcs never set foot in Spain.

The Arabs allowed Jews and Christians the right to visit their holy places. The Turcs, who took control of Jerusalem, did not (and Turcs are not Arabs). Hence the fury of the pope who declared an all out war against infidels and heretics, putting Turcs and Arabs in the same bag for good measure. Centuries of crusades allowed the church to fill its coffers.

When the Arabs finally lost Spain during the Reconquista (again, it has nothing to do with crusades) that's when the spanish Inquisition started, persecuting the Jews which had otherwise prospered under 8 centuries of rather tolerant arabic rule.

In those times, the Christians were the intolerant lot.

In any case history proves that religions are a pain in the neck, to be polite.

The Moors were the muslims that tried to take the parts of Spain, no fear, I know my history, and they sir invaded. Again, please do your homework.

In 711 AD, the now Islamic Moors conquered Visigothic Christian Hispania. Their general, Tariq ibn-Ziyad, brought most of Iberia under Islamic rule in an eight-year campaign. They moved northeast across the Pyrenees Mountains, but were defeated by the Frank Charles Martel at the Battle of Poitiers in 732 AD.

The Moorish state fell into civil conflict in the 750s. The Moors ruled in North Africa and in most of the Iberian peninsula for several decades. They were resisted in areas in the northwest (such as Asturias, where they were defeated at the battle of Covadonga) and the largely Basque regions in the Pyrenees. Though the number of Moor colonists was small, many native Iberian inhabitants converted to Islam. According to Ronald Segal, by 1200 AD, some 5.6 million of Iberia's 7 million inhabitants, nearly all native inhabitants, were Muslim.^[13] In the late 15th century, the persecution of Muslims and forced conversion to Catholicism caused a mass exodus.

Also to note it should be said that The Dome of the Rock is built on a Jewish Temple.

Again the challenge is put forth to you, if you feel so comfortable with muslims, please, go live in any Islamic state, where this conversation itself could lead to harsh penalties. The point being is that we are allowed to make choices now, if Islamic law becomes a reality or even gains a foothold here in the U.S. than sir, you won't have the choice to be even an atheist. You'd be beheaded, and yet you stick up for these people. I suppose you also supported their right to build a mosque near where the World Trade Centers used to be. Move to an Islamic country if you feel they are such wonderful people. I'm not saying there aren't idiots in every culture, but when it's preached and advocated, by the clergy, such violence, and supported by people like you, it's just not worth talking about anymore. I know what I believe, and we may disagree, but I defend that right, where as in an Islamic country, well, our argument would be left to a court to decide who is right, run by the same clergy as those in higher positions. If you'd ever seen a busload of innocent people blown up by a person for no reason other than they were non believers of Muhammed, then perhaps you'd change your mind about them. But they preach it, and it shall exist for as long as the religion.

I understand completely. Why not? It's not like we as a world community don't understand the mindset of a typical Muslim. Why not incite them? Is it not fair play considering all of the Flag Burning, beheading, bombing, etc. etc.. It's time to bring this problem to a head and stomp out the fire. Draw them out, take their pictures and then hunt them down and kill them in their beds. With drones.

Exodus, wait til someones words and actions kill you or someone you love even though you had nothing to do with it at all. Would you still think it was okay to incite them then? Well if you're the dead one, I guess not.

Perhaps the magazine should balance things by publishing cartoons of Jesus, like walking on a lake with stilts hidden under the water or his corpse being pulled by a thin wire as if rising from the dead.

Islam, Christianity including Catholicism, Orthodox Judaism are all surely cartoon material. Buddhism is pretty bland so I exclude that. If you want to get a handle on all this stuff, watch the documentary "Zeitgeist" which pretty convincingly explains the source as being ancient plotting of solar and stellar seasons. Amazingly, they all share dozens of features from 5,000 years ago.

Come on people, let's just mock the hell out of all this nonsense and watch the fanatics make fools of themselves with their protests. Maybe comedy is the tool to shed light on our screwed up planet.

@Brit in the pit : The Charlie Hebdo magazine has also published lots of funny cartoons about Jesus and Moses for years. They also received death threats for that, by the way.

Its publishers are atheists and do not spare any religion, thank god (if I may say so...)

They want tolerance..... then they darn well better start showing some.

Well we aren't going to win them over with hugs & kisses. They have to KNOW and KNOW now that free countries will NOT be dictated to by terrorists or anyone who believes if you are not a muslim you are an infidel and you need to be dead.

ThinkWise writes:

A safe move by France. It's a shame to read so much hatred here. We're no better than the ones being criticized when we buy into the hate.

"Safe moves" will only encourage the fundamentalists of radical Islam and pretty soon you will cowering before their every demand.

So far as the "we're no better than they are" comment, you're not thinking very wisely or clearly. Typing out some angry words on an internet forum is NOT comparable to physical destruction up to MURDER in real life over a cartoon or youtube video.

tough @!$%# back to ya

We have had eough, is that supposed to be a picture of a Nancy Pelosi Barbie doll? That's all I ever think of when I see your pix.

Sounds more like the GOP's presidential ticket, don't you think?

Think about Paul Ryan's “Let Women Die Act” proposal that would allow hospitals to refuse abortion to a woman on religious grounds, regardless of whether her life was in danger. How evolved is that ? A common belief with muslim extremists, by the way.

While I am not the biggest fan of Obama, by any means, you are way off in this comparison, honey!

The real enemy is ignorance, which is not limited to Islam.

No it isn't but at least we don't desroy buildings, kill people and burn flags over a @!$%#ing video!!

So just how do you propose they blacktop the whole thing? And seriously unless there's a new Micheal Jackson Theme Park opening there, who would park there?

Agreed, and yet it's funny how so many "tolerant, accepting, and enlightened" liberals have no problems whatsoever mocking the mormon faith.

"Insulting someone elses religion is the most uncivilized thing a person can do."

Personally, I consider firebombing, beheading, murder and rape to be more uncivilized.

@ mpa-4893349: Quite true. The christians raped, killed, tortured and wiped out millions in the past centuries. In the name of God/Allah/you name it.

I dont think you are an atheist I think you are a muslim. At least your response has led me to believe that.

@ ms-984397 : I truly don't give a (F word here) about Allah and I'd happily (another F word here) on its grave if it ever existed. Is that enough?

Nor do I care about any deity, for that matter.

I was just reminding that no religion ever brought peace on Earth. Quite the contrary. It's always been a blood bath of some sorts. Check you history books.

I have to agree with MPA here--and I also will quote that old saying "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." And it doesn't matter what belief system/world view a person or people holds--religious, or atheist--if that person or people don't respect the basic rights of others--life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness--then they are part of the problem, not the solution.

What did you get raped by a priest or something. You're going after religious people and their beliefs like a pathetic little child, GROW UP!!! And by the way atheism hasn't brought any peace either if you haven't noticed it has just created a bunch of bitching anachists.

AtheistBob: I read a number of your comments and the reoccurring theme is negative denotations on any religion. However your study is lacking on the subject by not taking into account many positive attributes associated with them. From the teachings of Hammurabi, to modern day humanitarian groups. Yet there is no record of an atheist doing anything for anybody.

@bob, atheism has no recordkeeping system, so yeah, you're going to have a hard time finding a "record" of atheists doing anything at all. That's kind of the point- we're not "organized" or we'd be a religion.

@ Jax A: You would be surprised to learn that there are very few muslim extremists in France. A few hundred at most out of a muslim population of +- 4 millions. Less than half actually practise their religion and when they do, they do it in a rather peaceful manner. You can have a beer in front of a mosque, in a bar held by a muslim. Most young muslims give up their religion, keeping it only to please their elders. The young jews do the same, for the most part.

The far right has tried to stigmatize the muslim population and the right lost the presidential elections as a result.

French people, with a vast majority of atheists (80%), are not that stupid.

Go to Paris, where muslims own most of the small grocery stores and you will be able to buy all the beer, wine, and whisky you can dream of, on top of a ham sandwich, frozen pork chops, and so forth.

A-Bob = one trick pony .... religion, blah blah blah i hate it blah blah blah they all is bad people blah blah blah i sit around all day and think about how churches bother me blah blah blah i am a atheist blah blah blah everyone who isn't is stupid blah blah blah the far right blah blah blah you can buy frozen prok chops at a grocery store blah blah blah ................. no one really cares blah blah and a last big blahhhhhh

I reckon we should also stop building churches and temples of all kinds.

Christianity did not always allow "infidels", right? And tolerance still is not always considered a virtue by some of our "great men".

President George H. W. Bush, "No,I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered as patriots. This is one nation under God."

'nugh said.

Your judging billions of people on the actions of one moron. Do you want me to judge me on the actions of Stalin or Hitler?!

@ zagnut14 : that moron became president. Some people must have voted for him. At least more than 50% of american voters, right ? Let's just hope they will not vote for the next mor-m-on.

So we've gone from France to over throwing the US Government if we don't deport all Muslims now? Can I ask what religion you follow, if any? I'd like to add it to the deport these "barbarians" list.

@ dezhawaii: I do not think that muslims living in the USA have anything to do with a bunch of overheated extremists exploiting hatred and ignorance in some muslim countries.

Are you a religious person? If so, is what you say what your religion advocates? If you're a Christian you should turn the other cheek instead, right? Or are you reacting like the "muslim slime" you're talking about?

Remember that Van Gogh descendant who was killed for drawing a muslim cartoon....it's not a few. The tell tale sign is that protests are being held over many many many countries and cities (all muslim of course) yet we make fun of Jesus on Family Guy and laugh, the same thing only with Muhammed would not be a hundred or a couple thousand people rallying. It would be hundreds upon hundreds of thousands. You've got to understand that their Quran preaches not just violence, but beheadings and stonings to people who even draw an image of Muhammed, cartoons for them and poking fun sparks protests in nearly every Islamic country. Without Islam I wonder how safe the world would be.

I say keep the cartoons coming so we can see who the enemy really is

A world without Islam would be like...

Paradise

On the flip side, I have recently returned from my annual visit to Hell, and you should see all the half-a-muslims who've blown themselves up hanging around there. I tried not to laugh - the fools actually thought there were harems of virgins for them somewhere.

As a former marine and american Muslim, I do not understand why my brothers aboard do not have thick skin, by acting out in this fashion there bring great shame to themselves and to Islam, you cant on one hand preach there is no God but Allah the all knowing and all seeing, then turn around and act this way, If God truely is all knowing and seeing, do you not think he saw the making of this film before you and I..And if God truely did not want this film made it would not be done, so stop acting out every time someone say something indifferent to our believe. Fight with those who fight with you, that is the only time fighting is needed. Prophet Muhammad physical being is gone from this world just as prophet before him are gone. God has not ordain you or I to do any fighting on there behave. Let those individual, groups or what ever say what they want. We all must answer for our conduct and action in this world. It is written in the Bible as well as the Quran, so stop following the masses. God allow man the choices in life to do good or evil, but know ye all shall answer unto me the choices you made in this world. Nor has Allah told any Muslim to go out on his behave and start bombing and killing your self just to take others with you. Let those who preach this nonsense go first. Your actions and conduct are making a beautiful faith look like hate. What person in there right mind would follow the path and faith of Islam if this is how we are going to act and behave in the world. Let God almighty deal with those individuals or group in his time and in his own way..Truely ask yourself what does God need with your bombing..and you taking of your life and others..Wake up my Muslim brothers and becareful of the words you let touch your heart and mind. Peace

@ astounding : The Theo Van Gogh you're talking about did not draw a cartoon. He was a film maker, a columnist and a close friend and supporter of the far right Dutch homosexual politician Pim Fortuyn.

The first was killed by a zany muslim extremist indeed. The second got killed by a certain Volker Van der Graaf who was a deranged animal rights and environmental activist.

Keep Learning..........

Thank you. When Islam learns to respect other religions, others will respect Islam. No muslim stood up when Taliban exploded into rubble the Statute of Buddha in Afghanistan? Why? What happened to their sense of outrage at that time? What happened to their outrage when painter Hasan in Bombay (India) painted a naked picture of Goddess Durga and insulted more than ! billion Hindus the world over? Why did they not rise up and lynch Hasan or even condem him? With all the violence inflicted by Muslims, it is a travesty that Islam is called a religion of peace!!

@Key Learning- Doesn't the Muslim instruction book- aka Kuran- tell it's followers to kill all infidels who won't be turned? I'm pretty sure I read that in there. So that would explain why murder is an integral and required aspect of this "peaceful" religion. I wholly agree with the rest of your post.

you cant on one hand preach there is no God but Allah the all knowing and all seeing

If this definition of 'god' holds true, then how could this same being not have already seen the actions of his so-called followers, long before their ancestors were born? How could such a being not have foreknowledge of what men like Osama bin Ladin, Adolph Hitler, or George W. Bush would do with their lives and the power they would seek?

And how could anyone call such a being, with such knowledge, 'loving' or 'compassionate' to allow the mothers of such evil men give birth or even conceive in the first place?

I submit a flaw: either such a being does not possess such abilities at all, or is totally indifferent to the human state.