UK Atheist Campus Group Forced To Remove "Blasphemous Pineapple"
Jonathan Turley writes that the Reading University atheist group was forced to leave a school fair over a pineapple bearing the name Mohammed in their stall to "encourage discussion about blasphemy, religion, and liberty," per a Huff Po/UK post by Lucy Sheriff:
"We wanted to celebrate the fact that we live in a country in which free speech is protected, and where it is lawful to call a pineapple by whatever name one chooses," a society spokesperson said....A struggle ensued, wherein the pineapple was seized, but shortly returned to the owners, where it was re-christened Jesus.
According to the RAHS, a small group of students then gathered around the table and forcefully removed the pineapple's name tag. The society was then "forced to leave the venue", accompanied by security staff.
The society has voiced its disappointment at the chain of events, saying: "Our intent in displaying a pineapple labelled 'Mohammed' was to draw attention to cases where religion has been used to limit freedom of expression and other fundamental rights."
Turley writes:
Nick Cook, vice-president of student activities at Reading University, insisted that the act of censorship was justified in order to guarantee "all students feel welcome and included in all of our activities."It was the classic confrontation between free speech and discrimination laws. The interesting thing is that religious organizations are increasingly being accused of violating discriminatory views, as discussed in this column. Would Muslim or Christian groups be barred for discussing view of homosexuality as a sin or, in some groups, professing the divine basis for limiting rights of women? This was clearly designed to be a provocative display and quickly led to a confrontation with what was described as five Muslim students. One approach is to say that the society could have raised the issue of blasphemy without the insulting display. Yet, the society wanted to show that what is blasphemous to some is a joke to others. What do you think?
The answer to speech you don't like or even find offensive is more speech, not shutting others up.
As a Catholic I think that naming a pineapple Jesus is in poor taste.
...and I love the fact that people have the right to say things that I consider to be in poor taste and/or offensive.
And, like Voltaire (and unlike the leftists who quote him so much and then ignore the words that they're saying), I really will fight for the right of people to say things I loathe.
TJIC at October 5, 2012 6:37 AM
Why do devout Muslims bother with higher education if they're going to stay in the 10th century?
KateC at October 5, 2012 7:18 AM
This would never have worked for me - I'd have named the pineapple "tasty" and put it in a fruit smoothie. (Just not after everyone has manhandled it so - it is now too bruised.)
Hey, some Catholics might be okay with me drinking their "Jesus" (being the body and blood of Christ and all); But Islamists might get upset with me doing so to their "prophet." I'd lose my head over a smoothie!
Maybe, I should just carve some sayings from the Koran into the side of the pineapple and offer up some of those chucks to them as a peace offering?
Seriously, too many folks just don't seem to understand freedom of speech.
Charles at October 5, 2012 7:18 AM
It's a fucking pineapple. With a fucking nametag stuck on it. It's just. Not. That. Fucking. Serious.
Sabrina at October 5, 2012 7:28 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/10/05/uk_atheist_camp.html#comment-3362546">comment from KateCWhy do devout Muslims bother with higher education if they're going to stay in the 10th century?
Exactly the right question.
Amy Alkon
at October 5, 2012 7:48 AM
I would have snuck back in, temporarily 'stolen'other exhibts claiming they offended me and then when inevitable arrested filled a million dollars law suit against the school for discrimination
lujlp at October 5, 2012 8:08 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/10/05/uk_atheist_camp.html#comment-3362563">comment from KateCVia Drudge: http://www.france24.com/en/20121004-artist-withdraws-exhibit-koran-verses-misunderstanding-sparks-near-riot-toulouse-france-mounir-fatmi
Amy Alkon
at October 5, 2012 8:09 AM
We wanted to celebrate the fact that we live in a country in which free speech is protected
Um, I'm sorry, WHAT? You live in freakin' England, were even speaking an absolute truth can get you successfully sued for defamation. And the authorities bend over backwards to keep the Muzzies, err, sorry, "Asians" happy.
Y'all should be counting your blessings that it was only your pineapple that was manhandled. It could have been worse, and you would have gotten the blame for it.
I R A Darth Aggie at October 5, 2012 8:50 AM
"... a small group of students then gathered around the table and forcefully removed the pineapple's name tag."
I am certain that was an unpleasant moment, however understated. "A small mob of screaming muzzlum men threatened death to any who opposed them as they smashed other peoples' stuff," would be likely, although i would not rule out "a herd of frightened dimmi kufar stampeded."
(I tried to see if the athiest club had pictures, but their only web presence in on facebook. I don't face book, nuh huh.)
Storm Saxon's Gall Bladder at October 5, 2012 9:05 AM
Many times the image of Jesus or Mary have appeared naturally. Like in burnt toast, window streaks, dog crap, or cloud formations. Who would be held accountable if the image of Mohammed naturally appeared in such a medium?
Goo at October 5, 2012 10:14 AM
I wonder if people named mohammed or jesus are to be excluded too.
It wasn't a sign saying muslims/christians go home, so how does it make them "feel unwelcome." They sure didn't mind making the atheists unwelcome.
Bill O Rights at October 5, 2012 11:47 AM
Meanwhile, tax-exempt churches give the finger to America and demand to preach politics from their pulpits -- while keeping their tax-exempt status, of course.
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/05/pastors-prepare-to-take-on-irs-over-political-endorsement-ban/?hpt=hp_t2
Gog_Magog_Carpet_Reclaimers at October 5, 2012 1:38 PM
Goo? yep, maybe an image of Mohammed did appear in a pile of dog crap years ago and that is why so many muslims hate dogs?
Charles at October 5, 2012 1:45 PM
Yeah baby, Yeah!
See update 2.
Crid [Cridcomment at Gmail] at October 5, 2012 1:47 PM
Crid, that made my Friday!
Gog_Magog_Carpet_Reclaimers at October 5, 2012 2:04 PM
Is that different from being a Romney supporter?
I think FIRE needs to take note.
Jim P. at October 5, 2012 10:26 PM
Where everyone feels comfortable? If someone is made uncomfortable by a nametag placed upon a pineapple, perhaps they should just stay home and have mommy and daddy bring them their meals.
Patrick at October 5, 2012 11:58 PM
Silver lining: Someone is bound to recognize how awesome band-name potential of the phrase "blasphemous pineapple".
Jenny Had A Chance at October 6, 2012 9:07 AM
Jenny, I was just thinking it sounds like a good name for a bar...
Cousin Dave at October 8, 2012 9:54 AM
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