Garth said:
As OmCheeto commented above, the Pope didn't say they should be beaten up, but rather that someone could expect a punch if he ''cursed his mother'', in other words it would be a natural unthoughtful reaction.
I think the Pope was unwise to say this because it does give the (wrong) impression that he suggests violence is the correct response to insults to religion.
I suppose if the only thing you read was his "punch in the nose" comment, you might get that impression, but he went on to say:
Pope Francis said:
One cannot offend, make war, kill in the name of one’s own religion, that is, in the name of God. To kill in the name of God is an aberration.
Which I think every sane person accepts.
A response closer to the Christian gospel would be to 'turn the other cheek'. (Matthew 5:38-40).
Reaction to criticism is a normal and a healthy part of debate in a free society, however repression of criticism through terrorist acts, or indeed law in a repressive regime, is a threat to such a healthy free society, instead criticism should be countered with alternative ideas and arguments.
This reminds me of the question the young man asked Lizzy Mae in the "Ask a Slave" episode I recommended; "
If you have a problem, you can just go to human resources. Or is that not an option for you at all?"
I don't know where you live, nor what type environment you live in, but every time I browse the news at Al Jazeera, I see very little evidence of
healthy free societies.
Even in Norway, the #4 best country in the world to live in, you still have the
Breiviks. Those are the ones you have to worry about. As I said before, it only takes 1 or 2 lunatics to spoil it for the rest of us.
I think some of the cartoons in Charlie Hebdo are extremely offensive. My own response if I were French would be to not buy it. Actually before the attacks others (I think) thought the same as their sales were falling and the future of the magazine was in danger:
Charlie Hebdo First Issue: Magazine Was In Financial 'Danger' Before Paris Massacre. The terrorists guaranteed the future of the satirical magazine.
Garth
I saw that also.
After just now looking at "
French Demographics" in wiki, and my previous research on the history of terrorism in France, I'd say that the worst thing about France, is Charlie Hebdo. And what better way, to keep hate alive, than to keep bigotry alive.
Charlie Hebdo founder says slain editor 'dragged' team to their deaths
Henri Roussel, 80, who contributed to the first issue of the satirical weekly in 1970, wrote to the murdered editor, saying: “I really hold it against you.”
My apologies, if I sound a bit flip-floppish on the subject. But every day, I learn something new.
And I'm not implying that geriatrics like Henri are any wiser than the rest of us, as I know many geriatric fools.
I just happen to agree with him.