Nothing is more ironic to me than the argument of Muslim apologists (most of whom, as I've encountered, are not even Muslim) who say, "Yes, a person has the right to offend 1.7 billion Muslims but common sense says they should not do so." It seems to boil down to the erroneous notion that all religion, no matter how perverse, somehow deserves the privilege of outside respect. Really, it's amusing (and why I say ironic) that the people who want to defend "the respect" that Islam (or any other faith) "deserves" want to introduce common sense into the debate. What could be more nonsensical (though, unfortunately, all too common) than devoting one's self to a religion that is as superstitious and immoral as those which are chiefly derived from the Qur'an or the Bible? And why am I obliged to tolerate, in terms of speech of course, a book that views my life as an unbeliever so utterly devoid of hope and value as those? Where's the outrage at Muslims and Christians and anyone else who takes on a label that carries such derision and bigotry towards infidels, heretics, and apostates? Why does no one cite bigotry when "neocons" are derided? (Because, to self-proclaimed liberals, it's rightly observed that neoconservatives hold beliefs which are hugely problematic and destructive to the world... and yet they're blind to this in the case of religion, which is typically far more neoconservative than anything intrinsic to the term "New Atheism," which seems to be on the receiving end of many verbal attacks as of late). And another thing, people in the West have been unceasing in their mockery of Christianity for the past couple of hundred years, and I have heard not a peep from these (irreligious) religious apologists. What the fuck is that shit? [/rant]
He who loves God cannot endeavour that God should love him in return - Baruch Spinoza
