The Latest Dangerous Religious Idiocy

[Smartypants]

Just so Brynn (and everyone else) doesn't think my contempt for religious dogma is limited to that of the Christian church...

This latest craziness regarding the caricaturization of Mohammed in a Danish newspaper is just another example of the kind of insane behavior we can all expect to continue as long as criticism of religion remains off-limits. As I've stated before, no other irrational or dangerous beliefs enjoy this exemption. As Sam Harris discusses in The End of Faith, the blame for this kind of violence (and the expectation that it will escalate and threaten civilization) can be placed as much on religious moderates who perpetuate the taboos against criticizing people's faith as on religion's extremist followers.

Where are all the "moderate Muslims" who eschew claims that Islam teaches intolerance and violence (and who insist it is a reasonable religion) to speak against the over-reaction to cartoons that raise perfectly reasonable criticism of their religion's extremist teachings? If the insanity and violence are to stop, it is those so called moderates, and not secular critics, who are responsible for calling for its cessation by denouncing -- not dancing around -- the actions of their fellow faithful.

From http://onegoodmove.org/1gm/ this morning:

BULLIES

Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy

Since when does belief in a mythical god trump the belief in freedom of speech as enshrined in the 'sacred documents' of western democracies. And doesn't the muslim world's reaction to the cartoons confirm elements of the criticism the cartoons express. We don't give others with strong beliefs a free pass from criticism, or from ridicule. Why is it that the Muslims think their beliefs are immune to criticism. The idea that any religion should get a free pass from criticism is absurd. Those who claim they believe in free speech, but who accept the boycotts, the threats of violence, the intimidation as legitimate are liars. The only legitimate response to free speech is the exercise of one's own free speech. Those who attempt to destroy those whose speech they disagree with are bullies and have no place in a civilized world. It is the response of totalitarians who fear open and honest debate. Here is a short segment on the controversy from Nightline.