Religion Of Peace-Driven Slaughter At The French Version Of "The Onion" ("Charlie Hebdo")
I am horrified at the slaughter of 12 at Charlie Hebdo, the Paris-based satirical magazine that stood up for free speech by publishing the Mohammed cartoons. Ten of those assassinated were staffers; the other two were police officers (there for press day at the magazine).
I am grateful to all of those at Charlie Hebdo who repeatedly risked their lives for free speech and Enlightenment values, and who had their lives stolen from them thanks to a poisonous ideology that demands the death of anyone who even makes the smallest criticism of it or Mohammed. Such an ideology has no place in the modern world -- but is practiced by many. Many Muslims do not even know or understand the horrible behavior it commands -- but far too many do.
How can I say such a thing?
Well, until I started reading the Quran and Hadith and reading commentary about Islam right after 9/11, I was a typical Westerner and a typical American -- believing (and wanting to believe) that Islam was just another religion. (Kind of like an ice cream flavor -- being chocolate to Judaism's strawberry and Christianity's vanilla.)
My reading showed me otherwise. Here's a page from the excellent and informative site, thereligionofpeace.com, which I like because it answers questions about Islam with commentary and relevant passages from the Quran.
Here, for example, is the question, "Does Islam teach that those who 'insult' the religion or its founder should be put to death?"
The answer:
Under Sharia, those who insult Muhammad or Allah are to be executed. So are those who desecrate the Qur'an or commit other acts of blasphemy. This tradition began with Muhammad, as recorded in the Hadith and by his biographers. There is also a Quranic basis for it.
This particular Q & A also references the difference between the Medina and Mecca parts of the Quran. (The earlier Mecca half of the Quran is the time when Mohammed -- a looting, raping, mass murderer -- did not have much power, so there's some nice interfaith-y language. After Mohammed gained power -- the Mecca Quran -- the language changed, and, in fact, per Islam, abrogates (nullifies) the earlier, more peaceful part of the Quran.
So when people point to earlier, more peaceful passages that conflict with the later "go kill the infidel" passages, it's as if they are broken items returned to the store -- they are no longer functional or able to be used for guidance. The later passages, demanding the death or conversion of non-Muslims take over.
As explained at thereligionofpeace.com:
One of the tricks that Muslim apologists play to obscure the fact that Islam prescribes death for detractors is to quote Qur'an (3:186). This is an earlier verse following a defeat in battle - when Muhammad's forces were relatively weak. Though encouraging Muslims to endure insults at the time, the text goes on to say that if Muslims are patient, then a "grievous penalty" will befall those who mock them. Indeed, the people to whom this verse specifically referred, were put to death by Muhammad just a few short years later.
Muhammad executed his critics as quickly as he could obtain the power to do so. His biographers list numerous citizens who were murdered merely for mockery or criticism, particularly poets - the media artists of the time. One was a mother of five, who had her child pulled from her breast before she was run through with a sword. See Muhammad's Dead Poets Society for more information.
When author Salman Rushdie published "The Satanic Verses," a 1988 novel deemed offensive to Muhammad, the Ayatollah Khomeini pronounced a death sentence that was supported by a majority of Muslims.
More here, at Answering Islam, by James M. Arlandson:
An authoritarian ruler must get a grip. The first policy that he imposes on his people shuts down free speech that expresses dissent and criticism, especially if the speech questions the leader. He takes any questioning of his opinions and decisions as a personal insult of him, the head of state, and therefore a threat to his society.Muhammad laid down severe restrictions on such free speech. He assassinated many who insulted him. In the Quran, he promises death and eternal damnation if anyone deviates in words and action from Allah and his messenger. In the hadith (Muhammad's words and deeds outside of the Quran), we read that he kills dissenters and insulters. Later legal rulings, rooted in the Quran and hadith, follow his lead and decree that hard-hitting speech must be stifled. Indeed, the dissenters must die, if they cross the line.
More from Arlandson on the slaughter of satirical poets in the early days of Islam.
Daniel Greenfield at FrontPage on the courage of those at Charlie Hebdo: "Charlie Hebdo has More Guts than Entire American Media Combined."
And I know -- if you're like me, you want to believe differently about Islam. But the reality is, it is a totalitarian system masquerading as a religion and a danger to civil liberties, free societies, and the peaceful continuation of life for those who are not Muslim (and certainly those who oppose it).
Please share widely the caricatures from Charlie Hebdo so we all support and share the risks from free speech in the face of Islam.
I suggest the Twitter hashtag: #WeAreAllCharlieHebdo
The spin has started - Daily Mail calls them "a notoriously anti-Islamist magazine in Paris"
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2900259/Gunmen-kill-11-Charlie-Hebdo-attack.html
Snoopy at January 7, 2015 6:34 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2015/01/07/the_religion_of_10.html#comment-5749301">comment from SnoopyWhat they are (and were) is a magazine that refused to back down from our Enlightenment value of free speech, and took huge risks doing that. I am immensely grateful to them and horrified at what's been done to them.
Amy Alkon at January 7, 2015 6:38 AM
Maybe someone is hitting back...
http://www.businessinsider.com/report-sarcelles-synagogue-car-explodes-2015-1
parbarbarian at January 7, 2015 7:15 AM
In the construction industry we get some ex-inmates from time to time. This Islam you describe above has the same set of rules and morality as an American street gang. And Muhammad is the O.G.
"Don't take my picture. Insults are avenged with death. Nobody leaves the gang."
God Bless the people at Charlie Hedbo.
Canvasback at January 7, 2015 7:42 AM
http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-01-06/the-glamour-of-islamic-state
I think Virginia Postrel understands what motivates terrorists.
Isab at January 7, 2015 7:46 AM
#JeSuisCharlie seems to be the dominant support hashtag.
Brian at January 7, 2015 7:57 AM
I think we should be careful about hating on a particular religion for something that can be seen throughout religion in general. The Bible calls for homosexuals to be put to death. Very few Christians actually follow through on this decree because their own personal moralities have evolved beyond that of those that wrote the book. I believe the same is true in this case.
It is natural for us to immediately want someone or something bigger to blame in a situation like this. My belief is that individuals are responsible for themselves when they choose to justify violent acts against people who have insulted them by making it righteous. I think it is unfair to the millions of followers of Islam around the world who have individually chosen not to murder in the name of their deity to indict the entire religion and everything they believe in.
Also, I would like to add that TheReligionOfPeace.com is clearly very biased. You said you like it because "it answers questions...with...relevant passages from the Quran". However, I don't see where they actually quote the Quran decreeing that those that insult the religion be put to death. If that is true then I agree it is indefensible. But I would encourage you to put aside your biases when searching for documentary support for your position.
Thank you for encouraging and providing a forum for thoughtful discussion.
Dan at January 7, 2015 8:01 AM
Not surprising. That's a timeless generational conflict.
Older chiefs of Native American tribes had trouble controlling the younger braves, who considered the older chiefs' calls for conciliation and compromise an unacceptable surrender to the white man.
Those same younger braves would often get restless and leave the reservation to hunt, raid, and follow the old ways - leading to violent retaliation by the white man.
Mildred: "What are you rebelling against?"
Johnny: "Whadda ya got?"
Ironically, if the old folks were proponents of constant warfare and intransigence, the younger ones would be activists for peace and reconciliation.
Conan the Grammarian at January 7, 2015 8:09 AM
I've been listening to reports on this for over four hours. Not one person has yet said the word "Muslim"
lujlp at January 7, 2015 8:19 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2015/01/07/the_religion_of_10.html#comment-5749568">comment from lujlpMy dog, for "Draw Mohammed Day."
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2010/05/20/draw_mohammed_d.html #WeAreAllCharlieHebdo
Amy Alkon at January 7, 2015 8:26 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2015/01/07/the_religion_of_10.html#comment-5749574">comment from DanDan, you are quite uninformed in your notion of not "hating on a particular religion."
Islam is a toxic and murderous ideology, contrary to human freedoms, with a built-in failsafe to prevent change:
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2015/01/07/why_islam_remai.html
Amy Alkon at January 7, 2015 8:28 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2015/01/07/the_religion_of_10.html#comment-5749629">comment from Amy AlkonClaire Berlinski was right by there in Paris this morning and wrote about it for Ricochet:
https://ricochet.com/terrorist-attack-charlie-hebdo-killers-still-large/
Amy Alkon at January 7, 2015 8:51 AM
Illiteracy is a major factor in that. The majority of the Muslim world cannot read, so scripture is interpreted for them by local clerics.
Christianity went through this as well. Until Martin Luther published the Bible in German, it was only available in Latin and most Europeans could not read Latin. So, priests were the only ones able to interpret scripture.
Publishing the Bible in German (and later other languages) loosened the Church's stranglehold on religious authority. Literacy would do the same to the Muslim world.
Conan the Grammarian at January 7, 2015 8:56 AM
These politically correct elites that live in the Kumbaya bubble are getting people killed by their refusal to admit the evil of Islam.
Islam is not a religion. It is a theocracy which uses its Koran as rational for killing those who don't follow its dictates.
Jay at January 7, 2015 9:04 AM
The Bible calls for homosexuals to be put to death. Very few Christians actually follow through on this decree because their own personal moralities have evolved beyond that of those that wrote the book.
Oh, did I miss the news that Maplethorpe was and murdered by Christians? or perhaps because someone came along and did something remarkable. Let's turn to Matthew 5:17
Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.
And now to John 13:34
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.
The problem with Christianity is that not enough Christians emulate Christ.
The problem with Islam is that too many Muslims emulate Mohammed.
I R A Darth Aggie at January 7, 2015 11:01 AM
I'm not a Bible scholar.
But I want to make the point that the Bible is divided into two parts as well. Old Testament and New Testament. Judaism's scripture is, on a basic level, the Old Testament. Christianity (the belief that Christ is the Savior) is found in the New Testament.
Christ didn't command anyone to kill homosexuals.
As Amy has said previously, Christ's command was to love. The progression in the Christian Bible is from a God of power and vengeance to one of power and love.
The Quran heads generally the opposite way.
And so when all is said and done, when you get to the page that says "The End", which do you think creates a better society in which to live?
flbeachmom at January 7, 2015 11:51 AM
Actually Jesus was quite clear that he was not here to change anything about the "old" (Christian terminology used to denigrate the Jewish book) testament.
Matthew 5:18
For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
That being said, Islam is terrorist bullshit and these 9th century idiots can't live in a free society. Peaceful Muslims should be marching by the MILLIONS against these acts but, tellingly, they do not.
Gog_Magog_Carpet_Reclaimers at January 7, 2015 12:21 PM
"The Bible calls for homosexuals to be put to death."
How many times a year are homosexuals hung in your town square?
crella at January 7, 2015 2:43 PM
The Catholic League's William Donohue says that killing is never OK yadda yadda yadda, but these guys were asking for it:
Killing in response to insult, no matter how gross, must be unequivocally condemned. That is why what happened in Paris cannot be tolerated. But neither should we tolerate the kind of intolerance that provoked this violent reaction.
Those who work at this newspaper have a long and disgusting record of going way beyond the mere lampooning of public figures, and this is especially true of their depictions of religious figures. For example, they have shown nuns masturbating and popes wearing condoms. They have also shown Muhammad in pornographic poses.
While some Muslims today object to any depiction of the Prophet, others do not. Moreover, visual representations of him are not proscribed by the Koran. What unites Muslims in their anger against Charlie Hebdo is the vulgar manner in which Muhammad has been portrayed. What they object to is being intentionally insulted over the course of many years. On this aspect, I am in total agreement with them.
Stephane Charbonnier, the paper’s publisher, was killed today in the slaughter. It is too bad that he didn’t understand the role he played in his tragic death. In 2012, when asked why he insults Muslims, he said, “Muhammad isn’t sacred to me.” Had he not been so narcissistic, he may still be alive.
Kevin at January 7, 2015 2:51 PM
Stephane Charbonnier, the paper’s publisher, was killed today in the slaughter. It is too bad that he didn’t understand the role he played in his tragic death. In 2012, when asked why he insults Muslims, he said, “Muhammad isn’t sacred to me.” Had he not been so narcissistic, he may still be alive.
Posted by: Kevin at January 7, 2015 2:51 PM
If this was even relevent to the terrorists, they would not have run across the street to execute the wounded policeman lying on the sidewalk.
And all those people killed on 9-11 need to understand that simply being in an American building or on an American plane is enough of an excuse.
Isab at January 7, 2015 3:20 PM
"How many times a year are homosexuals hung in your town square?"
I think the point is that most Western Christians pretty much ignore the rule about killing homosexuals.
parabarbarian at January 7, 2015 3:52 PM
"I think the point is that most Western Christians pretty much ignore the rule about killing homosexuals."
Then it is not a point. It is a distraction to somehow justify Islam. It needs not be said.
Dave B at January 7, 2015 4:21 PM
"I think the point is that most Western Christians pretty much ignore the rule about killing homosexuals." parabarbarian.
Conveniently, the rules are written down, so I am sure you can actually cite the scripture and the context for me, right?
SwissArmyD at January 7, 2015 4:55 PM
Is it Allah or Allahu?
The latter sounds rather silly. Allah who?
Sounds like a knock knock joke:
Knock knock.
Who's there?
Allah.
Allah who?
ALLAHU AKHBAR!
Just an attempt to bring satire to a tragic situation.
The Jolly Patriarch at January 7, 2015 5:43 PM
Stephane Charbonnier, the paper's publisher, was killed today in the slaughter. It is too bad he didn't understand the role he payed in his tragic death. In 2012, when asked why he insults Muslims, he said "Muhammad isn't sacred to me." Had he not been so narcissistic, he may still be alive.
Posted by Kevin @2:51
Yes, if Stephane Charbonnier had only remembered that he must never do say or draw anything that might offend Muslims, he wouldn't have been killed. Likewise, if Emmett Till had remembered that he must never do say or whistle anything that might offend the white man, he wouldn't have been killed either.
Martin at January 7, 2015 5:51 PM
Stephane Charbonnier, the paper’s publisher, was killed today in the slaughter. It is too bad that he didn’t understand the role he played in his tragic death. In 2012, when asked why he insults Muslims, he said, “Muhammad isn’t sacred to me.” Had he not been so narcissistic, he may still be alive.
Posted by: Kevin at January 7, 2015 2:51 PM
That's like saying - Had she not worn such a short skirt, she would not have been raped.
Snoopy at January 7, 2015 6:25 PM
Stephane Charbonnier, the paper’s publisher, was killed today in the slaughter. It is too bad that he didn’t understand the role he played in his tragic death. In 2012, when asked why he insults Muslims, he said, “Muhammad isn’t sacred to me.” Had he not been so narcissistic, he may still be alive.
Posted by: Kevin at January 7, 2015 2:51 PM
Seriously? The only mistake Stephane Charbonnier made was in assuming he had a right to express his personal views without being murdered for it. Oh, my bad he actually does have that right, as do we all. Seriously, go fuck yourself Kevin.
Matt at January 7, 2015 6:37 PM
On 9-12-01 Paris Le Monde had as its headline:
"Nous sommes tous Américains"
Well, it's time for all leaders in the civilized world to say:
"Je suis Charlie!"
And damn well mean it enough do something lasting about it. Like butcher all the monsters and bury them with pigs blood.
Charles at January 7, 2015 7:39 PM
I think the old law homosexual=death reference was from Leviticus 20:13. Christians don't accept that as instruction for us today because under the new covenant, when Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice so that people didn't vainly die trying to obey all those awful laws, then all those old rules were no longer required. Because his sacrifice brought in a new covenant. And killing homosexuals is not part of that. This is Christianity 101 and any Christian who has received any proper teaching knows this, hence, we don't have people running around trying to kill homosexuals because it is not necessary. Like it is not necessary for menstruating women to be sequestered or to refrain from eating pork or shrimp, or whatever else you want to bring up.
gooseegg at January 7, 2015 7:52 PM
Here is a bit more expansive exposition of homosexuality and Christianity. It is not just the Old Testament that condemns it.
http://carm.org/christianity-and-homosexuality
parabarbarian at January 7, 2015 8:09 PM
parabarb wants to talk Christianity. Why is that dude?
I suppose you think islam is the religion of peace? You are a distraction, a troll. This post isn't about the Christians, just the murdering muzzies.
Dave B at January 7, 2015 9:36 PM
"How many times a year are homosexuals hung in your town square?"
Depends on the size of the gift mother nature gave them, I suppose...
Gog_Magog_Carpet_Reclaimers at January 7, 2015 9:56 PM
'Hanged'!!! Thanks, Gog, for the laugh! I'm usually not that dense :-)
crella at January 7, 2015 11:01 PM
You know, I don't see Crid. Evidently, it is difficult for him to cluck at you about how Islam is really harmless now.
Radwaste at January 8, 2015 4:07 AM
"That is why what happened in Paris cannot be tolerated. But neither should we tolerate the kind of intolerance that provoked this violent reaction."
Ah, moral equivalency. The leftists' stock in trade. "Yes, what happened was unfortunate... but can't you see, he violated the customs of my tribe. So he totally deserved it."
"Stephane Charbonnier, the paper’s publisher, was killed today in the slaughter. It is too bad that he didn’t understand the role he played in his tragic death. "
On the contrary, he fully understood, and he said as much after the firebombing. Do you understand? No you don't. What you believe is that people should die for saying things that you don't like.
So I'm going to say something you don't like, and here it is: Fuck you, Kevin. Fuck you with a giant baseball bat up your ass. Until you scream like a little girl. Now what are you going to do about it? Are you going to sic your Islamist buddies on me? No, you just want to play dictator wannebe on the Internet. That's easy, isn't it? You can go around and chrip and act all morally superior, without having to actually do anything. Stephane Charbonnier had more guts than you'll ever dream of having.
Cousin Dave at January 8, 2015 6:47 AM
"The Catholic League's William Donohue says that killing is never OK yadda yadda yadda, but these guys were asking for it."
Doesn't surprise me a bit. The Vatican is all about "liberation theology" these days, to the point where they've elected a Communist as their pope. I keep wondering when the schism is going to occur.
Cousin Dave at January 8, 2015 6:48 AM
Cousin Dave (& others?):
Because of some weird formatting issues here, italics on comments are dropped after the first paragraph.
Long story short, the last three paragraphs of Kevin's post are all quoted from Donohue, not Kevin offering his own thoughts.
kf at January 8, 2015 7:01 AM
Don't forget: Sec State Hillary Clinton and President Obama scapegoated and had arrested a US FILM MAKER for inciting the Benghazi attacks. That's a measure of their support for the First Amendment.
Islam ought to be tolerated in modern civilization about like the KKK is. In fact, isn't the KKK better on women's rights?
Robert at January 8, 2015 7:01 AM
Don't forget: Sec State Hillary Clinton and President Obama scapegoated and had arrested a US FILM MAKER for inciting the Benghazi attacks. That's a measure of their support for the First Amendment.
Islam ought to be tolerated in modern civilization about like the KKK is. In fact, isn't the KKK better on women's rights?
Posted by: Robert at January 8, 2015 7:01 AM
I tolerate anyone's and everyone's sincerely held religious and political beliefs.
Where I draw the line, is any kind of criminal or terroristic activity in support of those philosophies.
You aren't going to wipe out Islam, or fascism, or communism, or racism. So spend your time suppressing terrorism and murder.
Two bits, the French government responds in exactly the wrong way, by capturing them, trying them, and sentencing them to a few years in prison, instead of hanging them from a lamp post, and deporting all their first degree relatives, their Imam, and everyone in their mosque.
Oh, and I am sure the Muslim terrorists are going to be *really impressed* by a hashtag campaign......
Isab at January 8, 2015 8:52 AM
Fuck Islam.
Portapottymouth at January 9, 2015 8:18 AM
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