Freedom of speech vs. religion

[Kirei_chan]

Okay, so I was stalking the AF (as usual) and I stumbled upon this thread in a link.

From what I can tell, this was brought about by the recent threat made by a radical Islamic group to the creators of South Park for having a depiction of the prophet Muhammed in an episode.

So, what are your thoughts?

My piece:
I know that depictions of the prophet Muhammed are strictly discouraged by the Muslim community.
It seems a little, er, insensitive (though that's not quite the right word) toward the Muslims. It just seems like the typical "all Muslims are terrorists" mentality that Americans seem to have. The threat was made by a radical group.
That isn't to say that I condone such threats, or that I don't support free speech (which would be crazy). It just seems like a cultural oversight on the creator of this "draw Muhammed day".  

[klgirebdnchajdelfianemdke]

hey I got twenty Muslim friends and I make terrorist jokes all day they don't care  

[Deppfan]

In America, anything and everything is made fun of. People need to learn to take a joke.  

[Jackalope2]

The South Park creators intentionally did that. They basically say "If you're offended by this, get over yourself or get the ******** out."

Speaking of that, I need to see the episode where they had the Golden Plates thing that's a center point of Mormons. My dad has it on his computer because he can't stand the LDS religion. lol  

[The_Cursed_Phoenix]

its just another ignorant case from Muslim radicals, America you can do what ever you want (Within reason) when they run a episode about Jesus i don't make death threats, i laugh my pants off  

[CommanderAppleSauce]

If we care about offending the Muslims, we should also care about offending everyone else. Lol, I guess I better grab my Kerosene and burn some books.  

[dir3wolf]

I have to say, it was a bold step to make on south parks side. but the radical group has to think that if they threaten violence to censor even the word muhammed. then the government has all rights to shut them down. If they want to play the censorship game then they have to play by the rules.  

[Ephynas Puggle]

meh, let them say what they want. I would choose freedom of speech over religion any day. And if their willing to go out of their way to insult someone, if there was something against it, I'm pretty sure they'd do it anyways.  

[Bishielurfer]

Well, I have to say...there's really no such thing as total freedom of speech. But that's a different debate.
Anyway, I totally support people's right to say anything and I would never deny any one that right. It's a beautiful thing. It's what allows people to criticize the government and practice their own beliefs. But I frown on this. Just because you -can- say something doesn't necessarily mean you should. It's unbelievably insenstive. South Park I understand, because their claim to fame is their shock value "say anything, offend anyone" humour (though I do hate that show), but that guy's "Draw Muhammed" thing was ridiculous. The radical group isn't exactly doing good things for the Muslim image, but not all Muslims are like that, and Muslim Americans are facing so much racism and prejudice in America that I feel like it shouldn't be perpetuated. I dunno...I feel like, free speech or not, you should respect people and their beliefs. :  

[Maiden Yukina]

I'm not trying to be mean, but people need to learn how to take a joke. :l Everything is made fun of in America (hell, we even make fun of ourselves), but that doesn't necessarily mean we actually mean what we say; it's sarcasm.

All the extremists, no matter what religion, gender, or race, are going to b***h about things like that. That doesn't necessarily mean every single person who is a part of that "group" will feel the same way. For example, I know a Muslim in school and he's perfectly okay with jokes that target Muslims (he's actually the one who usually makes them).  

[Buffer920]

Deppfan

In America, anything and everything is made fun of. People need to learn to take a joke.

 

[delasislas]

Deppfan

In America, anything and everything is made fun of. People need to learn to take a joke.

this is ultimate.  

[Zat In The Hat]

Easy one.

You can't yell bomb in a airport or fire in a movie theater without being confronted by the authorities.

You can't practice a religion that sacrifices bunnies to the almighty blueberry monster as this is animal abuse.

In short only within the confines of the law.

The Muhammad thing is a joke get over it.  

[Mad Haru]

It's important to remember that this is an extremist group saying these things.
As for the nonsense with South Park, it shouldn't be a problem. If Trey Parker and Matt Stone were Muslim, they'd adhere to the Five Pillars of Islam and other rules. They aren't, so they don't have to.  

[Koujo no Omoide]

I agree with most everyone here. What South Park did was insensitive, but so is everything that is on that show. If you don't like it, don't watch it; it's meant as a joke and should be taken as such. They also have started more discrimination against ginger's / red heads, and yet there's no one making a fuss over that.
And extremist groups... Well, they'll be extremist groups. If anything should be outlawed in America it's pointless extremist groups (pointless here meaning ones that should NEVER be allowed to change the world, and even their own cultures don't like, most of them relating to religion). They need to calm down. :/