Comparing the reactions to “offense”
- Posted by Beth on February 2nd, 2006 filed in General, International, Islamofascism, Mohammed Cartoons, Politics, The War
I posted the following in September, and the “incident,” for lack of a better word, is worth revisiting to note the difference between how the (primarily Judeo-Christian, if not secular) West reacts to things said or expressed that offend one’s religious sensibilities, and the reaction of extremist Muslims. Be sure to read the comments at the Brussels Journal link, because people are still discussing it–and the “peaceful” and “respectful” Muslims commenting there condemn the image of the Virgin Mary, but feel that boycotting (if not violence?) as they are doing in reaction to Danish (and other European) cartoons would be equally appropriate. And let’s be honest here; a boycott is one thing, but the death threats and attacks that have ALREADY occurred are entirely another. But either way, it’s the attempt to force SUBMISSION to Islam, make no mistake about it. To deny it is simply either crazy or a lie. The excuses are a dead giveaway, and I’m not buying them.
This is a poster from the play “Our Lady of Flanders” (Onze Lieve Vrouw van Vlaanderen), which “depicts the Virgin Mary with a howling child and a bowl of blood. She is barebreasted and is sitting next to a shield with the arms of Flanders.” Written by Chokri Ben Chikha, a Tunisian from Belgium, the play is said to also have anti-Semitic overtones, which are excused away by Ben Chikha:
Antisemitism is alive amongst North Africans, whether you like it or not. It has to do with the Palestinian question. I am convinced that you have to talk about antisemitism. I am not going to solve it, but I have to show it. Moreover, not only the Arabs dislike Jews. My stepmother, a Polish woman, is very antisemitic as well. I think one should be able to laugh at anything, even at antisemitism.
Now see this:
This, of course, is from Theo Van Gogh’s film “Submission,” which resulted in his death at the hands of an Islamic extremist who pinned a bloody note to his body, addressed to the writer of “Submission,” because of their supposed “blasphemy.”
Note that there is no one, Jew or Christian, calling for the murder of Chokri Ben Chikha, nor should (or will) there ever be. In fact,
On the contrary, his play is being subsidised by the Ministry for Culture. After the performances in Brussels it goes on a six-month tour through Flanders. The government encourages schools to attend.
You can bet, however, that those who merely find the imagery (and alleged anti-Semitism) offensive will be called fascists, fundies, extremists (see also: Andres Serrano, the Crescent of Embrace, etc.)–and assuredly by the same kind of people who called Van Gogh a racist.
At worst, Belgian Christians and/or Jews might object to public funding–but they won’t be issuing death warrants (see also: Salman Rushdie, Burger King, etc.) or slaughtering the artist.
Essential related commentary, from one who knows art: Two Forbidden Images at The Tears of Things (see content under “I Slam Islam” in the sidebar, for more).
More “offensive” art later today. :mrgreen:
Tags: Islamofascism, terrorism, dhimmitude, Denmark, Belgium, Islam, art
Wild Thing says:
Excellent post Beth!!!!! You said it all and did it better then anyone!
Thank you sooo much!!!! I will never understand and I really don’t want
to why it is OK to blast away at Jews and Christians. I don’t want to
understand because those filled with anti-Semitism are not people I would
allow in our home or be in my life. They are my enemy!!!!
The actress from the film “Submission” was intervied on 60 Minutes last year.
She is seen as a traitor to Islam, the faith she rejected as a very young woman.
Hirsi Ali says her rejection of Islam started at an early age:
“From the time I started reading novels of Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys,
I wanted to be like Nancy Drew.” Her beliefs estranged her from her parents,
who remain devout believers.
After the murder of Van Gogh, Hirsi Ali stayed in hiding for about
three months.
Organizers of the Rotterdam Film Festival, for instance, cancelled a showing
of ” Submission” saying they feared violence.
But Hirsi Ali refuses to back down. She says she’s going to make a sequel
to “Submission.”
“By not making ‘Submission Part II,’ I would only be helping terrorists
believe that if they use violence, they’re rewarded with what they want,”
says Hirsi Ali.
Will she submit to the threats? “Not me,” she says.
Common Folk Using Common Sense says:
Preparing For The Fawta
Creativity or Blasphemy?
…