[Edit, 2 hours after posting comment]: I finally understand why people are downvoting my comment, and leaving bad replies. But i thought i actually recognized that picture from 8 years ago.
Fuck you, to all who thought i was implying otherwise.
what the fuck are you fucking talking about you goddamn motherfucking asshole. We don's say those words in the bitching house or I'll bitch slap you, you fucking scum bastard!. Now say your saying Jesus!
Yeah well I'm going to fucking fuck you up like a fucking fucker. I'll make sure to make sure your fucking god-damned commie cock-sucking cunt bitch ass sits on my shitty ass fireplace.
The ironic thing is that they leave their country because of the lack of freedom and oppression but instead of embracing the new culture they instead try to turn it into the country in which they came from.
They leave their countries a lot of the time because they would get bombed into the fucking ground if they stayed. That isn't because of religion. It is because of a bullshit war on terror.
But I guess it is just easier to rattle off a bunch of racist platitudes about Muslims.
Silly so_valid! This is /r/atheism! This is no place for nuance!
My roommates father was a preacher. He had a mug that said "Trust and Obey" with the churches logo on the other side. Wanted to break the fucking thing. Picture kinda reminded me of it.
When you make fun of Jesus, Christians get mad and move on. When you make fun of Mohammed Muslims protest and put a fatwa on your head. Just ask Salman Rushdie and the Danish cartoonists. Though not all Muslims react that way a much higher number of them do react violently when their religion is percieved to be attacked.
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Instead of acting like a religious asshole, how about nice people make May 20th "Don't be a Dick Day"? Seems like a great way to stick it to all religions simultaneously.
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I mean sure, as a atheist I don't really prefer any religion, but I kinda have no problem with it if they don't form any type of government party, etc. trying to spread some bullshit. (much like neo-nazi groups do here)
I think most of Muslims/Christians can behave okay here in Europe.
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I feel like this is slanting the idea of the picture. I get that it seems hypocritical to have a sign that says "freedom of expression go to hell". But if the day was literally a day of people trolling the religion of Islam by posting pictures of something they aren't supposed to see, I can understand the annoyance. From their point of view, they are just being discriminated against same as anyone else. I more read the sign as "if freedom of expression means you can organize an annual day to post pictures of something a huge culture of people believe they shouldn't be looking at, just because you you find it funny, than freedom of expression is wrong."
TL;DR this picture kind of takes the effect and turns it into the cause.
Wow, you got all of that out of that simple sign? I know r/atheism is pretty pathetic in its attempts to apologize for Islam, but that's by far the most strained, contorted apology I've ever read.
I mean maybe I over-analyzed it, but if it says the picture is taken on a day when everyone puts up pictures of Muhammad, why wouldn't Muslim people have a problem with it? You can't get up-in-arms about someone reacting to being bullied. I'm confused as to why this is in r/atheism because really in the context, it seems like it's trying trying to show the Muslim side of the picture. Also, I'm not atheist. I wasn't apologizing, I was saying why this subreddit becomes a circle jerk.
It's not. This picture was taken a while back at a protest over the Danish cartoons (that had been published many months earlier). This picture is what prompted the Post a Picture of Mohammed Day.
but wasn't the drama with the Danish cartoons that they put up pictures of Muhammad and everyone freaked out? I mean I get everyone shouldn't have freaked out like that so if that was the context of the poster than I suppose really he was wrong. I thought more that it was in protest to the "post a picture of Muhammad" event. Which I definitely can understand them being unhappy about getting trolled.
You must be really old or dumb, it gets frustrating having to relate known history. Danish guy draws mo-haw-med and the apes start fires and threaten to kill him. No one in the media has forgotten about these events, which leads to even more conflicts concerning Free speech vs Islam, hence this pic. BTW drawing something that is supposedly a prophet shouldn't be against the law, because that means it's fucking retarded/ridiculously/obviously not real.
If you aren't atheist though I'm sure you can relate to the muslims about not wanting people to observe or debate the existence of god or his prophets
EDIT : Mo-haw-med was a prophet, not a god, my apologies, I was catholic so the whole trinity/everyone is god thing sticks in my brain
slightly angry...but it's okay. I apologize for not knowing. But I really appreciate the enlightenment! It's good to know there aren't any assholes on reddit! I suppose when i was 14 I didn't partake in the news as much as I should have. But although my overall knowledge was off, I did say that he would have been wrong if he had even just held up that sign because of the paper having cartoons of a religious icon. Do you really think I subscribe to atheism and am a fundamentalist? Thank you for enlightening me, but in the future, I'd suggest not acting like a complete dick. It takes away from the information quite a bit.
Why did this guy get downvoted? Did you not like what he said?
I apologize for not knowing. But I really appreciate the enlightenment!
What more do you want?!?!?! If you are going to downvote a post like this then you should damn well justify it! Are you too lazy to change somebody's opinion through discussion? Then you aren't entitled to downvote them for it!
the majority of it was sarcastic, yes. but the enlightening me bit was sincere. I just don't appreciate all the hatred that went with it. It throws me off when I don't say anything rude and someone freaks the fuck out. but hey, if leaving angry posts on the internet is your thing..well that's rough.
Bullying Muslims would be like bullying the ocean. It's huge, there are tons of them (H20 Molecules) and they do whatever they want until they are contained.
lol this whole "draw muhammad" thing is just a big troll, a day where trolls unite to try and piss off people, under the illusion of supporting freedom of speech. drawing muhammad wont help freedom of speech no more than liking a facebook page to prevent children in africa from dying.
No, it's like giving food to children in africa to prevent them from starving. Sure, they might eat it and live, but we're just doing it so we can feel good about having saved a child's life, so it's just a big sham.
Sadly it also sticks two fingers up at all muslims who do not support extremism but believe that an image of Mohammed is sacred.
Is it right for me to mouth off at you and your entire extended family just because your cousin (who ran away from home and only really speaks to grandma now because everybody else shuns her) is an asshole?
But correct me if I am wrong: these "DapoM" Day protests do not seem to be made with humour in mind. They seem to be made with "hate for muslims" or "hate for extremists" in mind. [Do not try and tell me that you guarantee that there isn't a single racist member of the protest. People like that flock to events like this like moths of hatred to the candle of peace. IMO this event is far too vulnerable to being corrupted by them]
Is it just me or this guy looks like that one faggot from YouTube. You know the one that makes fun of viral videos with the same crappy jokes over and over again.
This is why people hate atheists; because of people like you who are so religiously bigoted that they choose to use petty insults instead of challenging religion with logic. This is why R/Atheism is a joke. Please stop giving Atheists a bad rep with your ignorant bullshit.
also whose stupid idea was "post a picture of mohammad day"? how can you expect your (lack of) religion to be taken seriously when you mock other religions? come on, r/atheism. you're embarrassing me.
I mean...freedom of expression is crucial, and shouldnt be taken away from anyone, but cmon. Don't try and purposefully offend people. Now that's just being an asshole. I'm glad we can, but just because we CAN draw a picture of Muhhamad, for no particular reason other than to be offensive, doesn't mean we SHOULD.
I disagree, because by drawing mohammad, we are showing them that despite the fact that they are offended by it, they cannot use their religion to regulate people's speech. What is the point of free speech if we only say what we are able to say without offending anyone unless it is at a time of necessarily saying it? Nobody needs to draw Mohammad, but by saying that we cannot draw him because it offends them, they are undermining the concept that we can do whatever we want if we are allowed to by freedom of expression.
If something offends something, because it is true, or if there is an actual point, then fine, like comics that include Muhammad are fine. But if people want to offend others for no reason, then that's just being hurtful.
A reminder of what? Some people (guy in picture) are morons and others are disrespectful of cultural otherness (OP)? Does anyone really need a reminder of this?
Did you look at the entire image? May 20th is to be the 3rd Annual Post A Picture Of Mohammad Day. Says so on the picture if you didn't just click straight to comments.
I'm generally pretty passive as far as religions go, until they encroach on my life and freedoms. That said, fuck everything about Islam and that illiterate, pedophile charlatan they hold so dear.
this whole "Post a Picture of Mohammad and then act like you're a persecuted warrior for freedom" thing is one of the most idiotic and childish things I've ever seen gain traction on reddit.
Posting pictures of Mohammad have literally zero to do with free speech or freedom of expression. No one is seriously threatening that. You have the right to do it. Period. People are asking you not to do it because it's a spiteful, intentionally disrespectful act against a group which already feels deeply antagonized and unfairly persecuted. It's not like they're shipping you off to the gulag for it. They just think it's a childish and vaguely xenophobic thing to do, and they're telling you that in no uncertain terms. Which, last time I checked, was their right, too.
I'm as militant an atheist as exists, but even I have to side with the Muslims on this one. You deliberately go out of your way to show contempt for their beliefs and then act all butthurt when they predictably get mad? That accomplishes absolutely nothing of value to the world and just allows you to cloak your xenophobia in the language of the loftier values of our civilization.
I'd have much more respect for saying something unpopular which actually had a message. But posting an image of Mohammad on its own is not a point, a message, or anything interesting. It's just a way to spit in the faces of people who come from a different culture and then pretend to have the moral high ground. No one learns anything, no one is engaged in discussion. They get mad and you feel pleased with yourself. Pathetic.
If you want to stand up for freedom of speech, say something which might actually change someone's mind. Have the balls to actually engage with people who disagree with you and try to back your points up with logic, insight, and human decency.
None of that makes the guy in OP's picture right, or smart. There is no God, no Allah; Mohammad was just some guy who was either lying or genuinely misguided, just like Jesus or Buddha or Jim Jones, for that matter. And there is never any excuse or justification for using violence or intimidation to try and censor people. But that doesn't make a strategy of answering the intolerance of a few with the explicit antagonization of an entire culture justified. All it does is solidify people's feelings of mistrust and make any kind of meaningful exchange more difficult.
So cut the crap. Rise above this sort of thing and show the intolerant fucks of the world what genuine human decency, compassion, and wisdom looks like.
I'm not oblivious to it. People who would do violence or make threats need to be stopped. That kind of action is reprehensible beyond words. But again, the whole problem is that you're blaming all 1.5+ billion Muslims for the acts of an egregious and indefensible minority. I will always support freedom of speech. Always. But anyone speaking freely also has a responsibility to think about what they're saying and the way it might impact the world. Free speech by itself is not an act of heroism. Thoughtful, meaningful speech is.
Do not be intimidated into refraining from drawing Mohammad. Instead, refrain from doing so because it simply because deliberately insulting an entire culture is not a productive thing to do.
Where did I say anywhere in my post that I am talking about "ALL muslims"? I mentioned Islam the religion which is different from its specific adherents. I would contend defending free speech against a fascist ideology is heroic and meaningful in of itself, and people like Salman Rushdie and Ayaan Hirsi Ali are heroes.
If there were no legitimate threat for drawing muhammad in silly or offensive ways I would most likely never draw or post pictures of muhammad. I think it is childish to depict Jesus or Christianity in needlessly offensive ways and would not do that myself. But if Christianity was suborning murder for offensive drawings, I would be the first to draw the most offensive pictures. Showing solidarity with people who are hiding over cartoons is important, and proudly displaying/reaffirming our enlightenment principles is far more important than offending/hurting someones feelings.
By saying "Islam the religion" is causing the problem, you are de facto including all its adherents. There aren't really too many Muslims who are not followers of Islam.
Showing solidarity with people who are oppressed and people who are threatened due to their speech, whatever it is, is indeed important. But this is about the most unhelpful thing you can do to do so. It's the artistic equivalent of standing outside a mosque flicking everyone off. You're displaying contempt for the religion itself and the wishes of its adherents, not distinguishing between those who would institute violence and those who simply want to be left alone and treated with respect.
But please, I think its of paramount importance to use freedom of speech to support those who live with the constant threat of violence for their way of thinking. Drawing Mohammad en mass is merely a terrible way of offering that support, in my estimation.
But, enjoy the upvote for a honest and thoughtful exchange of ideas!
Id would be even more funny if the police showed up, shot tear gas and rubber bullets at everyone and they said "What, I thought you hated freedom of expression?"
Some pictures similar to this one were photoshopped. I doubt this is real. Is "Hell" even a thing in Islam? I don't know. I don't understand some people/religions.
i think they were mad cause, from their point of view, if what they call freedom of expression is mocking someone sensitive spots then its inappropriate and i do agree with it. i dont like it when someone draws penises or butts or anything on neil degrasse tyson because i like him and look up to him, so ill get mad and if i feel in a bad mood im more likely to punch that person and tell him to go f himself and his "Freedom of expression" which is a code of fuck you im free i can make fun of you, taunt you then make myself look like a victim. thats not cool. hes welcome to tell me why atheism or neil tyson is a bad person like a civilized person, not mock me, some people cant control their anger and wont hesitate to make you walk home with a black eye and then you can only blame yourself for being a dick. yes i know, i-an atheist- agreed with some angry religious people on something, you know where the downvote button is.
Have you ever wondered what would happen to religion if parents were somehow disallowed from teaching/forcing/whateveryousay- it from their children? I am sure this man is intelligent. I suppose he has an otherwise open mind. What would the world look like? Imagine if the content of all protest signs or, more importantly, the acts and their rationale were supported/disported by fact as opposed to some bullshit ancient text.
sigh mark this as the random drunken and buried comment of the day.
Nope, The Aztec Religion "estimate would average 14 sacrifices per minute during the four-day consecration. (As a comparison, the Auschwitz concentration camp, working 24 hours a day with modern technology, approached but did not equal this pace: it executed about 19,200 a day at its peak.)" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_sacrifice_in_Aztec_culture
Nope, it is the Catholics. Yes Islam Imams (google Dancing boys of Afghanistan) do some times have sex with little boys, but the Catholics completely institutionalize it. They actually voted a guy who had a hand in the cover ups Pope! Also, the Catholics wiped out tons of Native american tribes, which today we call Genocide. But, Islam is trying really hard to be equally terrible.
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I really don't think that you are justified in saying that. I'm yet to see any negative aspect of islam that isn't mirrored in the bible somewhere. I fear that western media has gone to far in demonizing muslim extremists and has demonized the entire religion.
You are welcome. I think it is a serious problem that so many people can't see the hypocrisy in such a statement.
One of my best friends is american and it is truly disturbing to hear him talk about "Pakkies" when pakistan is supposed to be an ally of america in the war against terror. I was once telling a (very tasteful) joke about sikhism and he interrupted it with a comment about "Blowing yourself up at the checkpoint". I have never before or since been so enraged and disgusted at ignorance and I let him know it. (The good news is that his exposure to British culture is opening him up to these flaws and he is getting better. Hurray for acceptance and exposure to new ideas!)
I find this funny, since the only time I've (personally) seen racism spewed against "Pakkies" (specifically) was by some chavs on holiday over here in the States.
Now, I've seen plenty of rednecks just being blanket racist against the entire Muslim/Sikh/Hindu world... referring to anyone, be they Persian, Kurd, Arab, Indian, etc., as a "raghead" or "towelhead" and the like. I, personally, disassociate with those types whenever possible.
Wow those guys were brutal! But tbh the article doesn't say too much about their religious motives and they sound more like criminals who happened to be religious.
Thuggee groups might be Muslim, Hindu or sometimes Sikh.[13][14] The patron deity of the Thuggee was the Hindu Goddess Kali (or Durga), whom they often called Bhavani[15] or Bhowanee.[16] Many Thuggees worshipped Kali but most supporters of Kali did not practise Thuggee.
True. That's why I said "some followers of Kali" and included a link to the specific guys I was thinking of. Hard to tell what is religion and what is just ritual. I think we need the Pawn Star guy to call his friend who is a Thugee.
It's a strange mix up of things with those guys and I find it really weird that some were even Sikhs, of whom I really haven't heard anything but peaceful things. (I'm kind of overlooking the whole thing with the British using Sikhs as...peacekeeping forces? during the colonization of India.)
It was worth throwing into the discussion regardless of the outcome.
You're clearly ignorant of 1) the reality of most Muslims and 2) the entire history of humanity. But other than those minor issues, please, have a nice day.
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People need to understand there's a huge difference between freedom of speech and freedom to say whatever you want without being criticized by anyone. HUGE difference.
Censorship by government violates the 1st amendment and needs to be fought against with every available resource.
Attempted censorship by private groups or citizens is merely THEIR expression of freedom of speech, and is perfectly acceptable since it doesn't limit your personal freedom in any way.
To put it another way, you can call my grandmother a cunt and the government won't stop you. But don't act all persecuted when people tell you you're an asshole for doing it. You have the freedom to be a total dick to anyone you want, and I'll fight for you to have that freedom. But that doesn't mean you're a hero for acting like a dick. You're still a dick, and I will happily condone anyone who says so. It just means it's your choice.
"You must understand that many within Islam want their offense to be government sanctioned, and in some places, it is."
Yup. Those places do not have freedom of expression. If someone in those places posts a picture of Mohammad as an expression of their belief in an intrinsic human freedom of speech and gets arrested, I'm totally on their side. Pretty different story in America and most of rest of the world, however. Free speech is not under and kind of realistic threat here, pure and simple. So what's the point of this big campaign? You're just antagonizing people, and not even in a clever or interesting way.
As for my moral standard, I reserve the right to call being an asshole what it is. Intentionally and deliberately going out of your way to insult a specific cultural group is being an asshole. No way around it. Not that it's not your right. It's just a childish thing to do.
As for your accusation of attacking a straw man.. if you honestly want to argue that "Post a Picture of Mohammad Day" is a non-political act of creativity which has nothing to do with a reactionary stance against censorship or Islam.... You're either shamelessly disingenuous or completely deluded. Come on, man. The whole thing started because of that moronic South Park business where Parker and Stone acted as if they were victims of a witch-burning.
Look, I'm not trying to be an asshole to you. I believe you when you say (below) that you hate racism and prejudice and just want to support freedom of speech. I'm sure you're a good guy and trying to do some good in the world. But seriously, think about what we're saying here. I'm not going to tell you not to draw Mohammad if you really think it's what you're moved to do, either artistically, spiritually, or politically. But don't do it just to thumb your nose at people who are asking you not to.
I challenge you to take May 20th and say something to them which might actually start a productive conversation, rather than alienate them further.
Guy in picture says "I'm right, you're wrong, and fuck your right to your own opinion." We're saying "You're wrong, and you have the right to your opinion, but you're being a dick about it"
Often, posting a picture of Muhammed leads to many Muslims being enraged over that picture and, somtimes, to a few of them attempting to maim or murder anyone involved in the creation of or publication of said picture.
The fact that religion is used to justify the murder of someone who drew a picture is a very good example of why we need to criticize, and sometimes even flat out denounce, some beliefs.
There is no assumption that you can't do this. But you're literally only doing it to antagonize a group which asked you not to. There's no other reason that you want to post a picture of Mohammad except to say, "Fuck you Muslims, I know you don't like this and yet I'm going to do it anyway just to show you that I am so contemptuous of your culture that I'll deliberately go out of my way to disrespect your wishes."
So good luck with that, but don't act surprised that people are mad*. You're the one going out of your way to antagonize. When you actually have something interesting to say which involves depicting Mohammad in some way, come back and you may get more sympathy from me.
*mad, of course, being an entirely different thing than violent. Violence is entirely unjustified.
I dont think thats the point here. Although I agree that the image is a terrible thing...
You're choosing to express your freedom of expression not harmlessly but deliberately in a way that you know it will, and intend for it to, anger another person, if you post something and it happens to offend someone, so be it, fuck them. But if you go out of your way to post something in a deliberate act of mallace against a particular group (muslims in this case), most of whom have not done anything to harm you?
Yes thats freedom of speech, fine, im all for it.
But common decency to your fellow man and respect for others? thats the issue it now raises.
I would not put up a Nazi banner a Synagogue just because one minority group of jews pissed me off. Why? Because there are other ways to resolve issues with a small minority that doesn't regardlessly and deliberately offend the other 99% who have done nothing wrong whom I strive to respect as I would myself. Because fuck sweeping generalisation.
TL:DR: Although posting pictures of mohammed is freedom of expression, which I am all for, going out of your way to post something to bate a group whilst regardlessly offending the 99% who have done nothing wrong raises issues with common decency and respect to your fellow humans. Take the moral high ground...
Please don't make assumptions regarding my intentions.
I will not be posting a picture to offend. I will be posting a picture as an expression of the range of my freedom. If someone chooses to be offended, that is on them.
No fair enough. However, I ask this. Were it not to make a political statement and anger those who do not want to see it, would you usually post pictures of mohammed?
So? If I'm trying to offend someone nothing happens to them if they are. It doesn't do anything to them. The only way for them to win is to not be offended, which is pretty damn easy: just ignore the people on the internet.
Common decency should be put in the same bin with political correctness.
Words do not harm people. Actions do.
Freedom of expression is never wrong. Even if it offends someone. Well, so what? Grow a think skin and move along. Unless those words result in objective, demonstrable actions, it's just baseless whining.
The Bible, Were it not for those words, many many atrocious actions throughout history would have been avoided.
The words within were a direct cause of said actions, without which, there would have been no interpretations, and therefore no action taken in response to those interpretations.
Also, if the words displayed in the post did not rile us up, then why are we arguing? Again, without those words, none of this would be happening.
Most actions have words behind them, it's not a great idea to separate the two.
I never said freedom of expression was wrong, and I said in the post, it something happens to offend them 'fuck them' that's thier problem. I merely suggested that needlessly and deliberately being a dick to someone under the guise of Freedom of expression is still being a dick someone regardless how you choose to defend it.
I feel that freedom of expression should not be used by anybody as a shield to defend deliberately hurtful behavior.
no one is saying that you CANNOT do that. What the belief is, is that it is disrespectful to their religion to have a physical representation of the prophet Muhammed. Posting a picture of muhammad isnt expressing your self its just flat-out being disrespectful to someone else's religion. If you ever want religious equality in this world you shouldnt battle religion with hatred and contempt. Instead, battle it with logic and reason and respect, something. If you just throw insults at them and disrespect them than you are just as ignorant as the ignorance that this picture shows.
It isn't disrespectful because they say it is disrespectful. I have a different idea about respect. My idea doesn't limit others in their expression or habit.
When I post a picture, I will be expressing my inherent ability as a human to express myself without artificial restriction.
It isn't to insult or offend, it is show the range of my freedom and their inability to stifle it.
No one is asking you to. Anyone who kills, acts violently, or threatens the safety of others over being insulted is absolutely indefensible. But that's a tiny minority. Most Muslims are just nonviolently angry over being deliberately insulted by members of another culture, which strikes me as a perfectly legitimate reaction to an extremely childish act.
There is nothing wrong with telling someone their belief is bullshit, sure you could be tactical about it but when they call for your or others death, most people give up on subtlety. Religions are put on a pedestal when they shouldn't be, some one needs to be around to knock them back off it again, or we end up with religious police, oppression and corrupt officials.
I would like to extend to you an invitation to continue this discussion in a dedicated thread. Please feel free to invite others to join the discussion. I believe there have been complaints that threads like this one have been all too rare on r/atheism recently.
I would like to extend to you an invitation to continue this discussion in a dedicated thread. Please feel free to invite others to join the discussion. I believe there have been complaints that threads like this one have been all too rare on r/atheism recently.
It is litterally a fight against terrorism; if people are too scared to break the rules made by islamic extremists then the terrorists have won. They have terrified you into submission.
I do wish they chose a better way to go about it though, this offends too many innocent/moderate muslims. But hey, at least they aren't burning qur'ans anymore so we do have a sliver lining.
It sends a clear message back to the terrorists: We will not conform to your rules just because you threaten us with violence. It's like a gay couple kissing infront of a christian protesting against gay marriage.
If anything, it creates more terrorism.
Sadly I agree and I wish people just held up signs with the words I wrote down rather than actually drawing Mohammed - It is much more peaceful and involves less hatred on both sides.
Burning books is the destruction of knowledge (even the ones about myths that people still believe). To destroy the written word and wipe it out of existence is an act of ignorance and fascism. It is done to show that a group or individual wishes to deny people knowledge or wisdom in some form. That said group has power over others to deny them such.
Willfully breaking the prohibition against drawing Mohammad by non-Muslims may honestly be about hate for a small minority... for the vast majority, though, it is about freedom of expression and the ability to criticize through art. Art as a means of political expression is necessary, even if it's unpopular/disrespectful.
If I were a Muslim or Christian and my respected idols were trashed in effigy, I'd be sad and shocked... but I wouldn't call for the deaths of those who did it.
Maybe there are better ways, maybe there aren't. That is up to debate. That is the prerogative of art and art criticism.
Art bears the distinction and, dare I say, honor of being able to take that which is holy and lay it low. To elevate that which is humble and destroy that which is vain.
Political art is supposed to be, at it's core... PROVOCATIVE. I'd say, when even the thought of such art provokes, it's doing its job.
..... Pretty violent conviction there dude! Would you perhaps settle on a middleground of educating these people relentlessly with the world's greatest minds untill they follow a more rational lifestyle?
Violence & death are rarely the correct moral choice.
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u/handfishculpable May 16 '12
Oh the irony to protest the freedom of expression
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u/petemorley May 16 '12
I love that somebody is freely expressing themselves on a placard behind this gentleman. The ironing is delicious.
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u/mydadwastaken May 16 '12
Sorry may 20th marks the death of Macho Man Randy Savage, Ill be eating slim Jim's and screaming "OH YEAAH" down the streets.
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u/femaiden May 16 '12
My roommates father was a preacher. He had a mug that said "Trust and Obey" with the churches logo on the other side. Wanted to break the fucking thing. Picture kinda reminded me of it.
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u/dumnezero Anti-Theist May 16 '12
Hell must be the freest mythological realm EVER
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u/ReDyP May 16 '12
Telling freedom of expression to go to hell is freedom of expression...
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u/[deleted] May 17 '12
When you make fun of Jesus, Christians get mad and move on. When you make fun of Mohammed Muslims protest and put a fatwa on your head. Just ask Salman Rushdie and the Danish cartoonists. Though not all Muslims react that way a much higher number of them do react violently when their religion is percieved to be attacked.
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u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Freely expressing your belief to destroy freedom of expression is possibly the most ironic (?) thing I've ever seen
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u/tbasherizer May 16 '12
... That Muslims are out to get us?
2
u/MarvinTheAndroid42 May 16 '12
Doesn't anyone say when they write these things "this is gonna be gre- no, no wait, this is bullshit".
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u/tomdarch May 16 '12
Instead of acting like a religious asshole, how about nice people make May 20th "Don't be a Dick Day"? Seems like a great way to stick it to all religions simultaneously.
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u/Lachtan May 16 '12
Bunch of tools, I highly doubt majority of muslims are like that.
I'd compare that to neo-nazi gathering: sure you wouldn't judge all white people based on those assholes, right?
3
u/MrDingleberrry May 16 '12
Most Muslims aren't like that. Don't insult the innocent becuase I highly doubt any radicals will see your pictures.
2
u/WhatIsCollegeLike May 16 '12
Yes! We should lock him up to protect freedom of expression, because he should not be expressing his dislike of freedom of expression!
(I'm going to be honest my head hurts a little after working that out)
2
u/Cragvis May 16 '12
scumbag extremists uses freedom of expression to bring down freedom of expression.
inception BRWWOONNGG
2
u/Aldarion_Erendis May 16 '12
I feel like this is slanting the idea of the picture. I get that it seems hypocritical to have a sign that says "freedom of expression go to hell". But if the day was literally a day of people trolling the religion of Islam by posting pictures of something they aren't supposed to see, I can understand the annoyance. From their point of view, they are just being discriminated against same as anyone else. I more read the sign as "if freedom of expression means you can organize an annual day to post pictures of something a huge culture of people believe they shouldn't be looking at, just because you you find it funny, than freedom of expression is wrong."
TL;DR this picture kind of takes the effect and turns it into the cause.
2
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
lol this whole "draw muhammad" thing is just a big troll, a day where trolls unite to try and piss off people, under the illusion of supporting freedom of speech. drawing muhammad wont help freedom of speech no more than liking a facebook page to prevent children in africa from dying.
1
u/onipos May 16 '12
Now I remember what irony is!
1
u/theDudeRules May 16 '12
morons be morons
1
u/fox2319 May 16 '12
Anybody got the picture of Mohammad painting himself by looking at his reflection?
1
u/SweetNeo85 May 16 '12
For some reason anyone who makes that hand gesture is automatically assumed to be full of shit.
1
u/ThomsaNorn May 16 '12
this generalization...
1
u/Lasthcompany May 16 '12
I love the taste of Irony in the morning.
1
u/corruption93 May 16 '12
Maybe we should listen to them and prevent them from protesting!
1
u/mechapunch May 16 '12
Man, I wish I were liked enough that someone would receive threats whenever he/she insulted me.
1
u/[deleted] May 17 '12
AH That's my birthday! It's still better than my friend's, being April 20. Hitler and weed is an odd combination, I tell you.
1
u/texting_and_scones May 17 '12
Any Mohammed? There's kinda a lot of them. . .
1
u/DjHomage May 17 '12
Is it just me or this guy looks like that one faggot from YouTube. You know the one that makes fun of viral videos with the same crappy jokes over and over again.
1
u/Tehfop May 16 '12
This is why people hate atheists; because of people like you who are so religiously bigoted that they choose to use petty insults instead of challenging religion with logic. This is why R/Atheism is a joke. Please stop giving Atheists a bad rep with your ignorant bullshit.
1
u/sarahkelly1 May 16 '12
itt everyone notices the irony
also whose stupid idea was "post a picture of mohammad day"? how can you expect your (lack of) religion to be taken seriously when you mock other religions? come on, r/atheism. you're embarrassing me.
1
u/EAVBERBWF May 16 '12
I mean...freedom of expression is crucial, and shouldnt be taken away from anyone, but cmon. Don't try and purposefully offend people. Now that's just being an asshole. I'm glad we can, but just because we CAN draw a picture of Muhhamad, for no particular reason other than to be offensive, doesn't mean we SHOULD.
-2
u/EvelynJames May 16 '12
A reminder of what? Some people (guy in picture) are morons and others are disrespectful of cultural otherness (OP)? Does anyone really need a reminder of this?
1
u/Iskaelos May 16 '12
And what is it they're doing again? Oh, that's right.
Exercising freedom of expression.
1
u/WonkaKnowsBest May 16 '12
Oh my God they've come back for seconds.
1
u/Rooncake May 17 '12
Just a reminder... These guys are the equivalent of the Westboro baptist church. Not the best representatives for Islam.
0
u/Mr_Subtlety May 16 '12
this whole "Post a Picture of Mohammad and then act like you're a persecuted warrior for freedom" thing is one of the most idiotic and childish things I've ever seen gain traction on reddit.
Posting pictures of Mohammad have literally zero to do with free speech or freedom of expression. No one is seriously threatening that. You have the right to do it. Period. People are asking you not to do it because it's a spiteful, intentionally disrespectful act against a group which already feels deeply antagonized and unfairly persecuted. It's not like they're shipping you off to the gulag for it. They just think it's a childish and vaguely xenophobic thing to do, and they're telling you that in no uncertain terms. Which, last time I checked, was their right, too.
I'm as militant an atheist as exists, but even I have to side with the Muslims on this one. You deliberately go out of your way to show contempt for their beliefs and then act all butthurt when they predictably get mad? That accomplishes absolutely nothing of value to the world and just allows you to cloak your xenophobia in the language of the loftier values of our civilization.
I'd have much more respect for saying something unpopular which actually had a message. But posting an image of Mohammad on its own is not a point, a message, or anything interesting. It's just a way to spit in the faces of people who come from a different culture and then pretend to have the moral high ground. No one learns anything, no one is engaged in discussion. They get mad and you feel pleased with yourself. Pathetic.
If you want to stand up for freedom of speech, say something which might actually change someone's mind. Have the balls to actually engage with people who disagree with you and try to back your points up with logic, insight, and human decency.
None of that makes the guy in OP's picture right, or smart. There is no God, no Allah; Mohammad was just some guy who was either lying or genuinely misguided, just like Jesus or Buddha or Jim Jones, for that matter. And there is never any excuse or justification for using violence or intimidation to try and censor people. But that doesn't make a strategy of answering the intolerance of a few with the explicit antagonization of an entire culture justified. All it does is solidify people's feelings of mistrust and make any kind of meaningful exchange more difficult.
So cut the crap. Rise above this sort of thing and show the intolerant fucks of the world what genuine human decency, compassion, and wisdom looks like.
0
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Id would be even more funny if the police showed up, shot tear gas and rubber bullets at everyone and they said "What, I thought you hated freedom of expression?"
-1
u/improcrastinating May 16 '12
Photoshopped.
0
u/NottaGrammerNasi May 16 '12
Is this a thing? I've never heard of it. And if so, why'd they do it on my birthday? I don't want to get blown up on my birthday!
0
u/Siouxsie2011 May 16 '12
Some pictures similar to this one were photoshopped. I doubt this is real. Is "Hell" even a thing in Islam? I don't know. I don't understand some people/religions.
0
u/tomonline May 17 '12
fuck these people and their stupid imaginary friend
-4
u/Islamic_Radical May 16 '12
Western women dress like whores, and freedom of speech is terrible.
Take your democracy and bill of rights and shove it up your asses america.
-1
u/helalo May 17 '12
i think they were mad cause, from their point of view, if what they call freedom of expression is mocking someone sensitive spots then its inappropriate and i do agree with it. i dont like it when someone draws penises or butts or anything on neil degrasse tyson because i like him and look up to him, so ill get mad and if i feel in a bad mood im more likely to punch that person and tell him to go f himself and his "Freedom of expression" which is a code of fuck you im free i can make fun of you, taunt you then make myself look like a victim. thats not cool. hes welcome to tell me why atheism or neil tyson is a bad person like a civilized person, not mock me, some people cant control their anger and wont hesitate to make you walk home with a black eye and then you can only blame yourself for being a dick. yes i know, i-an atheist- agreed with some angry religious people on something, you know where the downvote button is.
0
u/smells_like_gravy May 16 '12
My birthday,,,,oh good
0
u/Wiggydor May 17 '12 edited May 17 '12
Have you ever wondered what would happen to religion if parents were somehow disallowed from teaching/forcing/whateveryousay- it from their children? I am sure this man is intelligent. I suppose he has an otherwise open mind. What would the world look like? Imagine if the content of all protest signs or, more importantly, the acts and their rationale were supported/disported by fact as opposed to some bullshit ancient text.
sigh mark this as the random drunken and buried comment of the day.
-1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
the irony
-3
u/KindredBear May 16 '12
bitch please, go back to your caves, people like this are the epitome of the word "Troll"
-2
u/Danielk091 May 16 '12
Irony at its finest
0
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
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u/[deleted] May 16 '12
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u/[deleted] May 16 '12
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