Depiction of Muhammad?

[Gunjack65]

Old subject, maybe. But I really want to know the Escapist's point of veiw on this.
So after finding a way to watch the South Park episode 201 (finally) I found that Comedy Central had censored pretty mutch everthing to do with him. Every time a charecter would mention his name they would be bleeped. This got me to do a bit of research on the subject and I was wondering about this. Is it ok to show Muhammad as a illustration in this day and age.
My opinion? Yes.
Freedom of speech, quite simply. People have been offended by other subjects in South Park and no other episodes have been pulled. But because some people are threatening violent actions then they cannot show it, because all religions are equal right?
Dont get me wrong, I understand why they would censor it. They did not want to be blown up. Just that this one taboo subject getting treated diffrently strikes me as a condtradiction of sorts.
Thoughts?

 

[CharrHearted]

Dont get me wrong, I understand why they would censor it. They did not want to be blown up.

And here gentlemen is where we recognise stereotypes on Muslims.

 

[Shining_Pyrelight]

I'm waiting for the DVD release of the season. I still want to see what was so bad that got censored.

 

[Terminate421]

I would imagine he'd have Sandals......

Also, I don't see the point in censoring muhammad either.

 

[maddawg IAJI]

I would prefer to be culturally tolerant. If a person doesn't want a certain religious leader drawn or depicted in artwork then fine. I think I can live with that. I mean, its not like I'll die unless everything is free game to speak and I'm not an artistic type anyways.

 

[El Poncho]

I'm sure it's only them that aren't allowed to draw Muhammad, I don't think it says anything about non Muslims drawing him which is why I think we should be allowed.

 

[Jamboxdotcom]

Old subject, maybe. But I really want to know the Escapist's point of veiw on this.
So after finding a way to watch the South Park episode 201 (finally) I found that Comedy Central had censored pretty mutch everthing to do with him. Every time a charecter would mention his name they would be bleeped. This got me to do a bit of research on the subject and I was wondering about this. Is it ok to show Muhammad as a illustration in this day and age.
My opinion? Yes.
Freedom of speech, quite simply. People have been offended by other subjects in South Park and no other episodes have been pulled. But because some people are threatening violent actions then they cannot show it, because all religions are equal right?
Dont get me wrong, I understand why they would censor it. They did not want to be blown up. Just that this one taboo subject getting treated diffrently strikes me as a condtradiction of sorts.
Thoughts?

freedom of speech is only guaranteed by the government. i.e. the government cannot tell you what you can or can't say (with some exceptions). that doesn't mean you will be free of reprisals from other parties.

 

[DuctTapeJedi]

My favorite depiction will always be the one used in "John Oliver's Terrifying Times."

Spoiler: Image

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0ziD+6+Pn1X5t5t5zN5D+Vvnd/JA19wuc1JHa6i2UctZC+ID+74IAwEvu1oD+107jAyF72Bzms7T2qgpNRXiihdDTXGqZGRgNbKRhV1RUS1MhkqJXyyHm57slB8kBCEEkk8+KHcDwP5KEIPo1ziQCTjjwyvB5lCEEdSEIQCEIQCkc0IQR1oQhBPUoQhAIQhBIUdaEIBCEIBCEIP//Z

EDIT: Just in case people don't know (and if they do, I'm sorry for potentially sounding condescending), the Qu'ran says it's wrong for artists to depict humans or animals. This may sound weird for outsiders, but it relates back to the Old Testemant and the commandment about not worshiping graven images. It's not so much about the drawing itself being offensive. They don't usually get upset about regualr drwaings because, you know, it's crazy. I think why some Muslims are upset about a cartoon depiction of Muhammed is because it feels more like a direct attack on their faith.
Note: This is just a Christian's speculation. If I screwed something up, feel free to correct me.

 

[Hashime]

Dont get me wrong, I understand why they would censor it. They did not want to be blown up.

And here gentlemen is where we recognise stereotypes on Muslims.

'Except the extremists were threating to do just that.

 

[Gunjack65]

Dont get me wrong, I understand why they would censor it. They did not want to be blown up.

And here gentlemen is where we recognise stereotypes on Muslims.

They got threats, so they censored it. This has to do with a very small minorety of muslims.

 

[DeadlyYellow]

Dont get me wrong, I understand why they would censor it. They did not want to be blown up.

And here gentlemen is where we recognise stereotypes on Muslims.

Up until you remember the show's creators were actually threatened by Muslim extremists.

 

[Nieroshai]

Here's how I see it. As long as art like "Piss Christ"(crucifix in a jar of urine) or the Virgin Mary covered in dung are protected by free speech rights, South Paark should be able to say whatever they want about any religion whatsoever. Besides, it's a sign of humility to be able to laugh at yourself instead of meaking threats when someone laughs at you. South Park bashes Conservatives and Christians all the time, but I enjoy the show nonetheless because it's funny.

 

[astrav1]

I think it's stupid personally, but you know how extremists are about these things, maybe in a few years.

 

[Armored Prayer]

As a light Muslim(as I like to call myself) I have no problem with a illustration of Muhammad.

However I'm really pissed that everyone who is not a Muslim are trying to illustrate him just for shits and giggles. It just shows that they have no respect for another's religion and all they want to do is stir up anger.

Plus this makes the extremist all violent and explosive, thus ruining the reputation of all the other Muslims who are trying to prove that all of us are bad.

 

[Geekmaster]

As far as I'm concerned one should have the freedom to be a dick.
In the case of Muhammed, you might just be putting your life on the line though.

 

[Berserker119]

However I'm really pissed that everyone who is not a Muslim are trying to illustrate him just for shits and giggles. It just shows that they have no respect for another's religion and all they want to do is stir up anger.

This. Basically, if it doesn't have anything to do with you, don't mess with it. If they don't want Muhammed drawn, don't draw him.

 

[shootthebandit]

i think people like this are idiots, why threaten to take your own life as an act of vengence because someone drew a picture of your god? they seem pretty uptight in my opinion. Albeit the people who are deliberatly conveying these images of mohammed are even bigger idiots, waving a red rag at a bull or shaking a hive of killer bees might get you a cheap laugh but its only gonna end up getting you into some serious shit

 

[Vrach]

Dont get me wrong, I understand why they would censor it. They did not want to be blown up.

And here gentlemen is where we recognise stereotypes on Muslims.

It's not a stereotype - depiction of Muhammad has already been retaliated against by suicide bombers, it's not a fictional event, it's an actual possibility and not even an unlikely one, especially in the current situation. I don't perceive all Muslims as suicide bombers - just like I don't perceive all Christians like Westboro Baptist Church morons or all Irish people like IRA nuts - but it doesn't take every single Muslim to blow up something, a single organization can (hell even a single individual could probably pull it off)

On topic, to quote South Park itself:
Mrs. Garrison: Welcome to Muslim-Sensitivity Training. It is important for us to understand why the Muslim feel the way they do, and why we can never show an image of Muhammad.
Kyle: No, Muslims can't show an image of Muhammad.

To use a more general quote from the dear old George Carlin, Devil rest his soul (I bet he's down there now... smiling up at us in painful agony), "Keep thy religion to thyself".

 

[Geekmaster]

Since we're at it, I think we need a lot more tolerance for us non-belivers.
I have no faith in any deity and I'm pretty sick of having what I regard as fictional characters shoved down my throat every five minutes.

Also, I can't help be bit just a bit peeved at the fact that South Park got away with depicting Muhammed long before a certain Crisis erupted because of a certain News Paper in Denmark. The issue partially escalated due to Imam's residing in the very same country took to travelling around, stirring up anger in the muslim world. Imams in Denmark really are low kinds of human beings.