What Constitutes Blasphemy?

Does anyone know what the article (letter) was about...

Am I the only one who really does not care what constitutes blasphemy? What matters to me is that because someone wrote something they were harrassed and harmed. Period.

One person`s freedom of expression is another person`s blasphemy. Half the crap that goes on under the guise of religion or the myriad other sacred cows are blasphemous to my sensibilities, but it does not give me the right to go and do what these hoodlums did. Who cares about my sensibilities, the things that offend me and others like me?

We deal with it on a regular basis. That`s life. It`s high time these hoodlums did as well.

Jawahara *tired of sacred cows, blasphemy and other assorted things * Saidullah

Quite a ridiculous letter. And quite a ridiculous reaction to the publishing of the letter. And quite ridiculous to publish it in the first place. Publishing letters like this in newspapers has nothing to do with freedom of speech. Reacting to letters like this by burning down printing presses also has nothing to do with being a Muslim.

I have never quite figured out why people attempt to provoke others by publishing material they know is incorrect, and extremely offensive to people`s religious beliefs. Salman Rushdie did so in his book, Satanic verses, (which I did read in quite a bit of detail, and am convinced was not an attempt at literature, but an attempt at creating controversy through distorting history). The guy`s life shouldn`t have been threatened, but what exactly was he trying to achieve by such an act? Why offend someone to score points?

The only religion that has at the universal level gone after Jews is Christianity. Anything the Muslims ever did to Jews pales in comparison to what historically the Christians church and rulers did. History has ample proof of that. And it is a well established fact, that Muslims currently dislike Jews primarily because of what the Jews are doing in Palestine. Every country except the USA and Israel accepts this. So the letter is basically incorrect information.

Of course, the reaction to such letters should not be violence. Newspaper offices should never be burned down. At the same time, why create controversy by publishing false and offensive information to an audience one knows very well will be offended? Who gains from doing so? If anything this letter has put the whole National Press on the back foot. None of them are supporting the Frontier Post, and many are condemning it. Primarily because they themselves are unable to figure out where freedom of expression stops and being offensive starts.

Every country of the world defines freedom of expression differently. However, every country does have a defined line at which freedom of expression disappears, and personal rights start. One cannot yell, ``Fire`` during a movie, and even the tabloids in the USA get sued regularly for printing false information. Even well-respected shows like 60 Minutes have had to pay. I think people should realize the social boundaries they are operating in, before they attempt to make so called misdirected quantum leaps towards freedom of expression.

Printing correct information regarding, say a corrupt ruler, is freedom of expression. Printing mostly incorrect information about religious leaders, of any religion, is something I have never been able to figure out. Different people in different societies will react to it differently. One could get away with printing this letter in the NY Times, but obviously not in the Frontier Post. Everyone knows how people will react to it in Pakistan, and that too in NWFP. So what is the point of provoking everyone for no particular reason? We have all seen the result. Everyone has lost out. It was a lose-lose situation, from the start. The newspaper office is burnt, even the Frontier Post management is stating it made a mistake, as are National newspaper associations. It has also strengthened the group of people who feel violence is legitimate in situations like this.

Idiocy all around; from the guy who wrote the letter, to the newspaper which printed it, to the people who burned down the newspaper offices. I don`t see how anyone can defend anyone of these groups in this situation.

I went to the site and read the letter...what amazed me most were some of the messages. Hating Islam just for the heck of it..how pathetic can you get?

mithuna #11

I just read the letter at the link you posted. It is total cr-p. This bs was not at all worth publishing in letter to the editor section of Frontier Post. I am very surprised that they published it. It serves no purpose except generating hate. Pakistan does not have jewish population to have obsession with their stories, unless you consider Pathans as descendants of one of the 10 lost tribe of Israel. Same garbage of trying to find extra historical ``chosen roots``.

Still the unruly behavior of mob is unjustifiable act.

The issue is very plain and simple.

Newspapers (all over the world) bear responsibility for the content they put into print. They monitor letters and choose to not print letters that are inflammatory and offensive to the majority of their readership and don`t have an intellectual point to make.

To say that the freedom of the press is being compromised here is entirely ridiculous. American and European papers don`t publish letters that even challenge mainstream views (especially in the U.S), let alone insult the character of their ``prophet`` or insult a religion. Don`t take my word for it, give it a try.

If the Guardian`s excerpt is accurate (it`s quite predicatable that they would print it under the slogan of ``freedom of expression``..try sending a opposing viewpoint and see how freedom of expression suddenly vanishes!),

I`m amazed that the Frontier Post printed it.

Conspiracy or not, they bear the responsibilities of the consequences because they printed inflammatory and offensive material. Obviously, they had a bit of a death wish.

Now, Chowk could print it. I don`t think it would serve any purpose especially if the material in the Guardian is correct. It would however give many chowkwallas something to bicker about for a while and create a convuluted debate out of something that is very simple:

``If you choose to live in a global society that respects all cultures, people and religions you should not print material that insults their belief system``

Very simple..no mental gymnastics needed to figure out this great puzzler!

However, most of us don`t choose to live in such a world. We choose dystopia.

Who really wants to see something in print that says derogatory things about Mohammed or Jesus or Moses or Krishna or Buddha? Perhaps the publishers of the Guardian (as long as it`s only Mohammed)? Somebody trying to get the Frontier Post office blown up? Or anyone posturing freedom of press (as happened with the ``Satanic Verses``) as long as it`s conveniently only one religion or people being insulted. Did you know that Micky Rourke got kicked out of Britain for calling the Queen a B-i-t-c-h on a TV interview. What about spy-catcher..why was that book banned? Freedom of expression, my ass.

Why didn`t the Frontier Post publish a letter challenging the drug culture in Sarhad, or the obscene use of religion as a political tool or the 50+ year stranglehold of ``prominent families`` on the rights and well-being of the people in Pakistan. These are the real issues that are not written about because the newspaper guys want to live. Why they would publish a letter that offends most Pakistanis and isn`t really a social issue of an concern is beyond me.

Freedom of press is a very real issue in Pakistan.

However, this isn`t about ``freedom of the press``.

Of course, if somebody really believes that this is all about freedom of the press then they should follow their noble convictions and have the letter translated into Pushtu, stick it on the front and back of their shirt and walk around in Peshawar in protest. Then we`ll all know that you have a point.

Hmmmm.... Dare I suggest that the same deference and `respect` for their icons that inspires folks to spontaneous acts of revenge is what keeps the `silent majority` insidiously silent as their nation slides inexorably into the hands of those extremists?

Does `desecration of anything sacred` constitute blasphemy? If it does, then every prophet, from Moses destroying the golden calf, to Muhammed crashing the idols of the Kaba, is himself guilty of it.

Sameer JB

please enlighten us, what could be the sane ways to register the protest.

Mithuna Thanks for posting the letter in question. While not wishing to excuse the cretins who attacked the Frontier Post facilities, nor wishing to indicate that the blasphemy laws are reflective of the Quranic injunctions or anything other than a blow to freedom and democracy in Pakistan, I must say the letter in question was indeed factually incorrect, biased and inflammatory. If it had been posted on chowk, it would have been shot to pieces the same day by other posters.

The publishers of the Frontier Post may be held liable for printing material that is of poor quality (historically incorrect, unsubstantiated, opposite of Quranic injunctions), or even for unduly insulting people`s feelings for their religion. But no more. The Quran tells us that we are not responsible for any individual`s views on religion, that being a matter between the individual and Allah.

Fuzair

Please do not misdirect the conversation. The fundamental question is not about the fragility of a religion, the question is why hurl insults while trying to make a point. Or simply why hurl insults?

The mob attack on the FP offices is unfortunate because such attack was uncalled for while there are laws in existence which deal with such situations. It only means that the people do not have confidence in the blasphemy Laws. Which in turn calls for strenghthning and proper enforcemenmt of such laws. The process of prosecution under such laws must also be improved.

On the other hand it must be an eye-opener for all to realize that Islam and unconditional love for Prophet Mohammad (pbuh)is the dearest ideal of Pakistanis whether they are practicing or non-practicing Muslims. One is only kidding himself by not recognizing this fact.

Pretty soon I am going to post two posts on this thread. The title of first one is ``Mirza and Gurr``. It is about Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani`s diabetes and his binges on eating Gurr. The other is about the escapades of some Hindu gods. That will be a good experiment to test whether it is only Islam which is ``vulnerable`` or there are other religions which have same vulnerability. Depending on the outcome of this experiment we will decide what to do with Christians.

CORRECTION

In my Reply # 13 the wordd ``persecuted`` should have been ``prosecuted.`` This was a typo. I apologize.

-- Bilal Ahmad

Re: Urstruly #27

``Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.`` Ever hear that growing up?

The letter is just plain stupid and should have been tossed in the trash by the editorial staff of the FP. The intent of the author was not free speech but to work up the stupid people of Peshawar into a killing frenzy. Which it just about did.

However, the author had every `right` to write the letter. The FP had every right to publish it. The only ones who had no rights here were the mob. IF one is so upset by the letter, write a rebuttal to it. IF you are that upset by the FP`s appalling judgement in printing it, organize a boycott of the FP, or behave in some other civilized manner.

No matter how worked up stupid people get, ITS STILL ONLY WORDS! No words that are not `incitement to riot or murder` or a direct threat to public safety, merit a physical response that violent. So I am not misdirecting the conversation. I am only pointing out that, in the greater scheme of things, the letter is inconsequential. Neither God nor his Prophet care two bits about what some idiot wrote or other idiots printed.

BTW, the mob`s action was not ``unfortunate.`` It was criminal and the police should have acted to stop them. As far as the blasphemy laws are concerned, they should never have been on the books in the first place. BTW, how many Muslims have been prosecuted for blaspheming Christianity or Judaism or Hinduism or any other religion? Or do you want to defend only Islam? Every other religion is fair game? Heaven save Islam from defenders such as you and F_K.

In response to Fuzair (Reply # 29)
Dear Fuzair:

I fully endorse your writeup, except the last sentence. Thank you!

Sincerely, Bilal Ahmad

Urstruly,

You certainly have every right to write whatever you want, be it anti-Qadiani or anti-Hindu or anti-interest based banking. I would defend your right to write it as I would Chowk`s decision to print it or their decision to reject it. After all, its their magazine so they can do with it what they want, just as you can write whatever tripe you want. I would question your motives behind writing what you did but I wouldn`t censor it. We can only strengthen ourselves and our beliefs by pointing out exactly how and why our opponents are wrong.

I suggest you start by read J. S. Mill`s, ``On Liberty,`` to learn a little bit about tolerance.

Regards.

In response to Fuzair (Reply # 31)
Dear Fuzair:

Your statement: ``We can only strengthen ourselves and our beliefs by pointing out exactly how and why our opponents are wrong.``

My reply: Yes, before that we need to point out ``exactly how and why`` we are wrong. If we don`t do it, others will keep on pointing fingers at our internal contradictions/weaknesses and, in particular, at our transgressions. Moreover, an internal critique is a source of power -- something that we have just started.

Are we sufficiently prepared to realize our own difficulties?

Sincerely, Bilal Ahmad

fuzair:#14

Now if valium could take care of the problems in this world the scientists would not have been working the graveyard shifts in the weapons industries.

I`m pretty calm & composed about this,fuzair.One way the issue eventually gets `resolved` is getting used to the increasingly hard-core stuff until the senses get frayed & blunted.

But do they really?

Wo`nt we all not seek or invent newer & more deadlier ways to hurt the fellow-beings?Somehow for some of us it is just not enough to be privately happy & contented.We must seek out ways to drag someone down to look good.

Maybe it IS our nature.And I am not different than you in this as much as we both try to pretend and prove that the others` existence is only nominal.

Now that is all fine.But then we are not that stupid also to take instructions from others to define our pain or hurt also.When will we learn that.Now if someone has become `civilised` enough not to be affected by any insult except that which threatens his creature comforts & power base then it should be his/her problem only,NO?

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Throughout human history there is only one & one human being(the GREATEST ever to grace this earth)

who has been at the receiving end of the vilification.Now has any muslim ever/anytime published or uttered anything which has disturbed a community then please someone inform me.

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He himself never rebuked even his worst enemies.He enquired about the welfare of the woman

who missed a day heaping rotten-garbage on her.

How we wish we could be like him.But we are weak & frail.Most of us do not mind being attacked personally because we at least know the adversary and can deal with him according to the situation.

But do we not all react violently when someone attacks our parents & ancestors or children.Even you as a husband must have experienced the wrath & scorn of your wife if you ever uttered anything bad about YOUR own children(evenwhen you were just uttering a fact!)

No fuzair.Search your heart,the issue is something completely different.It has nothing whatsoever got to do with `freedom` or `progress`.

We are just afraid to lose the lifestyles which either we have inherited exploitively or nurtured & nursed under some colonial `philosophy`.It is simply those who should not be holding the reins of power can see the day coming when they & their children will be running after cars at intersections.

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Do you still believe that others should weep & cry and laugh & smile according to a US agenda?

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wassalaam.