Radical Muslims threaten South Park creators

[Fluké]

Is it really necessary to behead people on camera because they don't believe what you believe? Is it really necessary to blow yourself up just so you can kill random people you don't know?

Firstly, I am an academic antitheist. That means I affirm the negative influence of religion which stems from cultural observations etc … from an academic perspective, and not merely a few isolated incidences which don't even represent the worst of Islam!

Most religious beliefs don't deserve respect. The things that people do under the guise of religion is absolutely sickening.

I am not talking about ‘respect’ at all.

I don't award any religion respect from criticism. If I believe there is something fundamentally immoral & wrong with it, then I shall express those sentiments irrespective of a hurt feelings.

Having said that, I won’t go out of my way to disrespect people. This is very different from what I said above. I give religion (as a subject/theme) no respect and immunity from criticism and judgments. But going out of your way to insult PEOPLE is simply wrong. Perhaps it is the way I have been brought up, but I wouldn’t go into a Mosque and puke in the middle of it etc … and that has nothing to do with my beliefs. You’ll find Dawkins, and Hitchens etc … share my sentiments on this point.

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Yes it is.

We all have to be so careful not to offend the muslims or upset their delicate sensibilities

I am not talking about offending people.

I believe it is a right to be offended. A right I will fight for.

I am talking about going out of your way to insult people. Instead of criticising Islam (as a religion), some people feel it is allowed or acceptable to go around insulting and disrespecting people on the basis of their belief.

You can say whatever you want about Islam and religion, but if you want to insult people then don't go around debating under the atheism umbrella!

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It is beginning to seem mandatory...what rock did you just crawl out from??

By Io you are such a hypocrite!!

And one achieves this how?? Especially since one has exercised their "right to offend"???

I have pointed out in the posts above the distinction between being

respectful
respecting

If I was to have a debate with a Muslim on an Islamic theological point. I would execrise my "right to offend" but I would also be respectful towards. For instance, I would shake his hand. There is a big difference between being critical of Islam (not caring whether people have had their feelings hurt) and going out of your way to insult people.

This sort of thing does give atheism a negative image.

In what way??? Mind you ALL religion has a "negative image" if you come right down to it.

The LAST thing mankind needs is religion but like football & politics; seems determined to shackle himself with his own fears and phobias.

Sorry Sae...I'm not just insane....I must be from another space-time continuum altogether!

Atheism isn't a religion.

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You know what, i'm offended, i'm offended that American television in the year 2010 is dictated by militant muslims. I'm offended that any religion can fearmonger it's way into censoring television shows. I'm offended that some fucking pussies who worship a clearly homosexual half hebrew ass make rules concerning what a nation with nothing to do with them a thousand miles away watches.

Do you want to know the kicker though? Pull back all of the layers, remove all of the stigma's and illusions and you realize that this isn't new. Christians have been doing this for the past century. No nudity, can't say the F word, make a movie about some little girl masturbating with a crucifix and there will be protests in the streets. The only difference is that now instead of it being a "moral obligation" it is a response to fear. We a nation of free people are forced to bow before the tyranny not of another nation, not of a ruling party, but of a small minority of pussyass terrorist cockbags who threaten violence as penance for disrespect. Fuck them, and fuck Islam. We've taken this sensitivity bullshit for too long already. I do not care about hurting anyone's feelings. If I want to watch Mary shit blood, a small 8 year old get mutilated every week, or goatfucking Muhammed himself be a punchline for 30 minutes per week on television programming that I purchase through my cable provider, I should be able to, without guilty conscience, without fear, and without wanting to blow up a few shanties in some sandtrap shithole half a world away.

Fuck religion.

"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin

Was this directed at me?

I think you should be offended. Nobody is talking that away from you! In fact, I think being offended is a sign of a healthy society.