Upholding Free Speech in Denmark

Denmark's in hot water, again. No, it's not because of global warming. It's because a Danish paper, the Jylland Posten, published about a dozen cartoons with images of Islam's Muhammad. It was in an attempt of political satire regarding the Muslim religion and the current jihad that certain Muslim radical sects have instigated against Western countries and cultures.

Let's make one matter clear here before we go on: With its free speech laws, Danish law does not forbid such publicized caricatures. Got that? Okay. Then, let's move on...

Some would say this is a poor and distasteful way to sell newspapers. There are even some Middle Eastern countries that are completely aghast at the publication of these Danish cartoons. The Jylland Posten has made a full front page apology to Muslims, but that's not apparently going to cut it with these Muslim countries that are so offended that they have banned Danish imports. Some countries, like Saudi Arabia and Lybia, have either vacated their Danish embassies or have closed them entirely. These are some very upset people.

And, they are demanding an apology from Denmark's prime minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen. The Danish prime minister is declining to apologize because the Danish government has not done anything wrong and the newspaper did not break any Danish law. Doing so would only negate the power of law and free speech in Denmark. Bravo, Prime Minister Rasmussen.

But, where does the problem lie in this situation?

Sure, the Danish newspaper, the Jylland-Posten, was irresponsible in soliciting and publishing such inappropriate cartoon material. For that, the editors of the Jylland-Posten get a tap of the golden ruler from Sister Jen. And, a scolding, that according to the teachings of the Danish National Church (Lutheran), you should love your neighbor--including Muslims--and such cartoons aren't very loving, even if they depict something that seems to be true. There are probably more gentle ways to tell Muslims that bombs and mass killings aren't the answer.

Then there are the angry Muslims. Angry not as much at the Danish newspaper, as much as they are just angry. And now Denmark is the recipient country of their anger. Congratulations, Denmark. Your laws and culture are now completely offensive to Muslims.

Reflecting the reaction from Muslim nations, irresponsible Danish free speech is apparently evil. I guess it's okay for Muslims to burn flags and photos of leaders, and to kill other people, but for someone to draw an image of Muhammad in response to their political jihad is bad. Very bad. Hmmmm. Wonder when these Muslim countries will get over it.

You know, if I were a Muslim country and wanted my Muhammad portrayed as something holy and sacred, and battle the war loving images depicted in those cartoons, I'd hire Karl Rove to do some propaganda waging for me. And then, I'd make sure that my country showed Muhammad and our peace-loving Muslim religion just as such: Peace-loving. Call it silly, but you know sometimes water puts out fires better than more fire.

I'm glad that Jewish people don't overreact to all of Christianity's writing God's name as G O D and not G - D. Now, that would be an interesting battle.

Thinking of that, it's amazing that Christians don't do anything about cartoons showing God and Jesus as less than holy and sacred. Maybe Christians know that God is more powerful than any jovial jab in the funny pages.