12 February, 2009

Irony. It's Dead, Jim

There's so much wrong with this I don't even know where to start:

The biggest democracy in the world, India, could sure use a lesson on the necessity of fair criticism in all aspects of life, including religion.

The editor and publisher of a top English-language Indian daily have been arrested on charges of "hurting the religious feelings" of Muslims.

What could have possibly infuriated India's Muslim community enough to warrant their arrests?

[snip]

Muslims said they were upset with the Statesman for reproducing an article from the UK's Independent daily in its 5 February edition.

The article was entitled: "Why should I respect these oppressive religions?"

It concerns the erosion of the right to criticise religions.

...

ohforfuck'ssake.



This insane concern for the feelings of religious groups is completely out of control. They're putting people in jail for hurting the feelings of teh poor widdle Muslimz, with no sense of irony or shame whatsoever. I mean, the assault of freedom of speech and conscience is bad enough. To do this to people who ran an article about the threat religions are posing to critics just shows an appalling lack of appreciation for irony. Way to prove the authors' point, you fucktards!
But a free society cannot be structured to soothe the hardcore faithful. It is based on a deal. You have an absolute right to voice your beliefs – but the price is that I too have a right to respond as I wish. Neither of us can set aside the rules and demand to be protected from offence.
That's right. So suck it up. Take it like men, you snivelling little cowards. You'd think a religion that's survived over 1,000 years of crusades and missionaries would be able to handle it when a few journalists give it the finger. If it's too weak to withstand even a mild critique, it sure as shit doesn't deserve to be propped up by popping publishers in jail.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

You're talking about a country that still practices the caste system for fucks sake!!

Anonymous said...

Hey hey Hank, India is a secular democracy, according to its constitution - it secularly worships ALL religions, with a preponderance of Hinduism in the mix... *eye roll*

Maybe it should call itself an "ecumenical" democracy, except that is also a lie (see any of the regularly flaring communal tensions all over the country between Hindus and Muslims, Muslims and Christians, Christians and Hindus, and throw in other religions like Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism to enliven the mix).

The caste system also contributes, in terms of intra-Hinduism clashes, Shia-Sunni clashes, Catholics and Protestants, Fundamentalists of all stripes. And all the changing alliances between religious and caste groups. There's some fun in it for everyone of a violent bent, no matter what their personal prejudices.

Just keeping them all straight in your head is a feat of comprehension to rival any genius in history. BAH!

Cujo359 said...

Religions are like Rorschach tests. If you're a small-minded person who is easily offended, your religion will require that you be offended by others' remarks about it. I suppose India is a classic example of this.

We humans have found two ways you can deal with a society with so many different religions. You can make everyone respectful of everyone else's feelings, no matter how easily bruised, or you can allow free discourse as long as it's not meant to incite violence or crime. I don't know which works better from a point of view of keeping order, but politicians seem to love the first alternative. Needless to say, I don't.