Rioting over today's imagined insult.

I have been thinking about the riots in the Islamic world, this time over a video that portrays their religion and their prophet in a less than favourable light. My problem is that I can't think of any reason to agree with them.



    What I mean is, the riots are just one of many violent tantrums thrown when someone says something they do not like, and enough of the Islamic world sees it to cause a reaction. The reaction is not one of mature adults sincerely desiring respect, but one of immature people who wish to force their view on others, regardless of the consequences.

    While I am aware that those who are rioting do not represent Islam as a whole, the fact that the issue keeps resurfacing seems to mean that the larger community is, through a demonstrated unwillingness to end the behaviour, also complicit in the rioting.

    The issue of violence erupting in the Islamic world every time someone says or prints something they find objectionable is part of a larger problem. The problem is that those in what I sincerely hope is the majority of the faith are standing by and allowing a violent, vocal, regressive minority to continue to not only give their religion a terrible reputation, but are standing by when those people commit atrocious acts of violence.

    The recent actions of Turkey's prime minister to make Islamophobia a 'crime against humanity" is at best a tasteless joke, especially considering the Armenian genocide. making it a crime is based upon the fallacious idea that allowing someone to say things that are less than respectful of Islam is the same as restricting the practice of Islam.

    Anyone who knows me knows how I feel about the Christian fundamentalists and their bleating about how forcing them to comply with the rules is the same as restricting their right to practice their religion. I feel that the Turkish prime minister's claim is just as absurd. it becomes more so when he acknowledges the fundamental principle of rights being reciprocal, but intentionally twists such a principle to restrict the rights of all but himself and those who believe like him.

My right to speak out, in a manner consistent with my conscience is more important than your right to be protected from being offended by my speech, if only because you have no such right.