Religious intolerance or freedom of speech.

[LeftEyeNine]

First of all, illustration of Hz. Muhammed is banned. That's something from the start. This is intended to save the figure from being included in any means of corruption. You see how "illustration" worked out lately. This is religion, it has rules on its own that is conveyed from the superior creator, therefore it will be a more productive debate if the discussion is not about the religion. Some guy in the recently closed thread of Fragony mentioned that Christianity grew up and that it was Islam's turn. Well, if you accept the superiority of a being then it is utterly the rejection of it if humans "grow" it. The religious disciplines are built to teach to the humankind, it's not a play-dough. The "interpretion" and "retouching" are different concepts, by the way. Interpretion may shed light onto what was meant to be by the religion, but "growing" equals to "retouch" and Islam does not need it and people banned from doing such.

IIRC, the German newspaper Bild had committed such a foul, and it had been approached by negative responses from the Muslim world as well, however they had apologized for the matter and it was peaceful again, wasn't it ? Correct me if I'm wrong though, it's been some time. We need "common sense" at social level, that's not job of governments. Governments, as several patrons said in the "A Good Reminder" thread, have (and should not have) no force if there is something called "freedom of speech" over there. Anyway, didn't the related newspaper apologize for the matter ?

Burning flags ? No way. This is absolutely primitive. However considering the facts and differences between the societies, this was predictable -not rightful. Those of you who are furious towards seeing your flags burned, I share your feelings.

Though things seem a bit out of control, there is still a chance for common sense to work out -and of course the newspaper did not apologize already.

[Meneldil]

First of all, illustration of Hz. Muhammed is banned. That's something from the start.

Great, they are banned for Muslims. Cool. If the event happened in some thirdworldistan country ruled by [insert some muslim fundamentalist group], that would have been fine. But Denmark is, as far as I know, a tolerant country, with a christian majority, with democratic institutions. I'm fairly sure there are no law in the Danish Constitution or in the Danish law system that ban illustration of Muhammed.
Danes don't have to respect laws or rules that are totally foreign to their country/culture. If the danish muslims don't want their countrymate to draw pics of the prophet, they can try to pass a law for it.

I'm glad european country don't give a crap about rules that were decided by some desert folks centuries ago.

The government merely distances itself from France-Soir which is held 'solely responsible for publishing the caricatures'. And rightly so, since governments are not in the business of caricaturising prophets.

Right, the governement has nothing to say there. Yet, apparently, the Quai d'Orsay claimed that free speech shouldn't be used to criticize religious beliefs. I couldn't find sources about that on the net, and since I heard it on TV, I guess it's to be taken with a pinch of salt, but if this is true, this is quite lame, coming from the head of our diplomacy.

[Adrian II]

Danes don't have to respect laws or rules that are totally foreign to their country/culture.

With all due respect, that is the wrong approach to the issue. Nobody should have to respect an infringement on his right to free speech no matter in which country, no matter under what regime, and no matter what the majority religion says. Freedom of speech is a human right, not a Danish right, and it applies to a couregeous Jordanian paper that publishes the Prophet cartoons just as much as it applies to France-Soir. Freedom has no national boundaries, it is not exclusively Danish or European, Muslims may (and do) exercise it just like anyone else, and it benefits them just as it benefits anyone else.

[LeftEyeNine]

Great, they are banned for Muslims. Cool. If the event happened in some thirdworldistan country ruled by [insert some muslim fundamentalist group], that would have been fine. But Denmark is, as far as I know, a tolerant country, with a christian majority, with democratic institutions. I'm fairly sure there are no law in the Danish Constitution or in the Danish law system that ban illustration of Muhammed.
Danes don't have to respect laws or rules that are totally foreign to their country/culture. If the danish muslims don't want their countrymate to draw caricatures of the prophet, they can try to pass a law for it. Period.

I'm glad european country don't give a crap about rules that were decided by some desert folks centuries ago.

Great then, brother, it is a thirworldistan-I-am-European-The-world is-mine-I-am-the-law-I-am-high-like-an-elf syndrome again. I'll leave you in peace.

Look I'll simplify the situation for you :

Islam bans Muhammed's illustration. Danish do it in a humiliating way. Muslims freak out. Some dumb fanatics go burn the flags. Danish companies whine about dramatic decrease in sales. You feel comfortable.

We may be fighting over such an issue over and over again. Neither side seems to understand, has common sense and has the willing to give up their pathetic ways of expression.

[Papewaio]

EU's Trade Commissioner is a public servant of the EU?

How many public servants get elected?

How many ambassadors?

[Meneldil]

Islam bans Muhammed's illustration. Danish do it in a humiliating way. Muslims freak out. Some dumb fanatics go burn the flags. Danish companies whine about dramatic decrease in sales. You feel comfortable.

We may be fighting over such an issue over and over again. Neither side seems to understand, has common sense and has the willing to give up their pathetic ways of expression.

I don't feel comfortable. The pic showing Muhammed as a terrorist is plain silly and pointless. Obviously, the autors knew the Muslim population wouldn't like it and would protest.

Now, as silly as it was, I just don't care about the prohibition of Muhammed's pics. Some Muslims want apologies ? Fine, but I hope no one will apologise for practising freedom of speech, even in a stupid way.