Cartoon Craziness

Visitor Comments: 8

(8) Anonymous , February 21, 2006

Not so crazy!

Dear Rabbi Salomon,
I agree with your comments. The Muslim reaction is over-the-top.

However, not so crazy. It is clear to me, there is an alterior motive, which is, IMHO, that the muslim world is saying: look you mess with us for a religious cartoon issue, see what we have done around the world, in response, imagine what we will do if you do something more , invade Iran for example.

It is no co-incidence that the Iran nuclear enrichment problem is currently red hot, about to become white hot. It is simple fear politics.

The top of the line Muslim religious leaders, who probably don't give a hoot about the Prophet, but who are very interested in staying in political/power and control over the masses and national assets. Want to flex their muscles and pitch a warning. Not to mention, do some Muslim uniting at the same time.

The average Joe Muslim may be easily stirred, but the top boys want to send a political message, which has nothing to do with cartoon offense but everything to do with their agenda to not fall in line with nuclear proliferation control.
(7) Anonymous , February 13, 2006

Mah Nishtanah?

'Why is this different'.........
Why didn't we see these protests several months earlier, against Egypt, when the cartoons were published there??
Rabbi Salomon asked if the punishment fit the 'crime'? I think the cartoons are only being used as an excuse to unleash violence against non-Muslim countires.
Does anyone recall the trial of Milosovic for 'ethnic cleansing' in the former Yugoslavia? His defense was that he was fighting the Moslem threat, because they are coming to destroy the non-Muslim West. Murder is considered wrong in any civilized society. So, why is it ok to kill non-Muslims in the name of Islam, and why do they feel it is ok to openly profess the killing of Jews because we are Jews?
'Mah Nishtanah'?
Now there's something to think about.
(6) Joey , February 12, 2006

I think that the newspapers in question had the RIGHT to print the cartoons; however that doesn't mean they SHOULD. One should respect the feelings of others, which here includes many Muslims (like most of those living in the West) who have never hurt any Jew or Gentile. By the same token, of course, the Palestinian and other Arab newspapers who constantly print anti-Semetic cartoons are also grossly wrong; and the reaction in much of the Muslim world is also abominable. God bless!
(5) Anonymous , February 12, 2006

"profit" mohammed?

I am sorry Rabbi to take "offense", that on your video. The Rabbi called Mohammad a "prophet". He was not. I do not think we are allowed to give any legitimacy to other religions, which are false.
Thank you for your consideration
(4) George , February 11, 2006

No Harm

I do not believe there was any harm done. Sharia, Taqiya, Hadith understand these Axioms of islam life and living ... what about the churches in Alabama? Berg?, Carroll?, Shalhevet Pass?...where is the reaction to all this?
Tikkun HaOlam...

(3) Margarita Stein , February 8, 2006

100% agree

I agree with You 100%. I was just explaining it to my son and used the same example of Iranian and Danish papers ready to print Holocaust cartoons.
(2) Isaac , February 8, 2006

There should be no limits

Freedom of expression should have no limits. A person is free to express their opinion, advice, and anything they want in Western society. A person has the freedom to ignore those that rave their luntic ideas and expressions. That is what freedom is about. We do not censor pornography to an adult, we do not censor burning of our flag, which is a secular icon, nor do we prohibit the defacing of the infamous virgin mary painting in the name of art. We might not like it, but we have rights to display it. But people, including Muslims have a right to protest what they feel is disrespectful. It is their right. However, Freedom of expression does not endorse freedom of violence.
What i do find ironic, is that Iran will have Holocust picture contest. Should'nt they use Christ or the Buddah instead? The cartoons were created by the Western nations, not Israel. But I guess you need to pick your battles in areas you know you can win. Because the Jews would never resort to violence, unlike the Indians in India against their muslem inhabitants.
(1) Joe , February 8, 2006

I disagree that there was a "crime."

While you are absolutely correct that there is a ridiculous over-reaction to all this from the Muslim world, what really were these cartoons?

Well, they were commisioned to explore "angst at criticising Islam." They seem to have been quite prophetic. Is it really a slander to Islam to have an image of Mohammed with a bomb in his head when many Muslims would love to detonate themselves to serve said prophet? Is it really a slander when they themselves support terrorism?

James Madison set the precident in American law that it can not be called slander if it is true.

Further, as far as free speach is concerned, even religions, religious institutions and religious people *need* to be subject to criticism. We Jews have many prophets who made a living out of it. More recently, would you argue that Gallileo should have kept his mouth shut for fear of offending the Pope?

Truth is always at the center of a free press debate. Were the Muslims like Mormons then the story would be different. Depicting Joseph Smith with a bomb in his head really would be slander, just like the Iranian paper depicting holocaust denial. (Not that that is new by any means. They do that and worse all the time, just check out www.memri.org.) Why? Because Mormons tend to be really sweet decent folks and the Holocaust unfortunately happened.

But is Islam being hijacked by pure evil? Are vast amounts of them completely psychotic? We should have the courage to stand by the Danes and not fall to misplaced political correctness.

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About the Author

Rabbi Yaakov Salomon

Rabbi Yaakov Salomon, C.S.W. is a noted psychotherapist, in private practice in Brooklyn, N.Y. for over 25 years. He is a Senior Lecturer and the Creative Director of Aish Hatorah's Discovery Productions.

Rabbi Yaakov Salomon, C.S.W.

He is also an editor and author for the Artscroll Publishing Series' and a member of the Kollel of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath.

Rabbi Salomon is co-author, with Rabbi Noah Weinberg, of the best selling book "What the Angel Taught You; Seven Keys to Life Fulfillment," (Mesorah), and is also the co-producer of the highly-acclaimed film, "Inspired." His most recent book is "Something to Think About; Extraordinary Reflections About Ordinary Events (Mesorah)."

His speaking, writing and musical talents have delighted audiences from Harvard to Broadway and everything in between. Rabbi Salomon shares his life with his wife, Temmy, and their unpredictable family.

Visitor Comments: 8

(8) Anonymous , February 21, 2006

(7) Anonymous , February 13, 2006

(6) Joey , February 12, 2006

(5) Anonymous , February 12, 2006

(4) George , February 11, 2006

(3) Margarita Stein , February 8, 2006

(2) Isaac , February 8, 2006

(1) Joe , February 8, 2006

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