Sir, – Recent letters by Messrs Paul Williams and John Power (September 18th 19th) epitomise the necessity for greater interfaith dialogue in public forums.
Strictly speaking there has never been a right to free expression when there is a high risk of injury to people and property. People do not have a right to yell fire in a crowded theatre, precisely because the likely outcome would be to cause panic and injury. Similarly, insulting the prophet Muhammad and burning the Koran is highly offensive and likely to cause public unrest. Such acts do not qualify as satire. They are hate crimes. Those who commit such acts, or encourage such acts, bear as much responsibility for the ensuing violence as those who use the occasions of these depraved acts to perpetrate their own hate- based offences.
I would further contend that most people with religious beliefs do mind having their central tenets ridiculed, especially by those outside their faith, who clearly seek to insult.
If Messrs Williams and Power have sincere questions about Islam do they really want to be associated with the likes of Nakoula Basseley and Pastor Terry Jones? – Yours, etc,
Sir, – In response to Joe Murray’s letter (September 20th) that you do not ridicule other people’s beliefs. I agree wholeheartedly. However the difference between Jews, Christians and Muslims is that when you insult or offend the former two they do not resort to murder and mayhem. Any religion that espouses this level of over-reaction is not a religion – it is a criminal organisation. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Joe Murray (September 20th) stated, “Would the Christians like to see a cartoon effigy of Jesus on the cross or people making fun of the Holy Bible? Of course not!”
Would the Christians support the murder of the cartoonist? Would the Christians protest and storm the embassy of the country who made the offensive article, murdering the ambassador? In his own words “Of course not!” – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Joe Murray’s comment “People have to learn to respect each others beliefs” is very dignified and respectful.
One could suggest this could be applied to the Catholic Church.
For example, consider the TV programme Father Ted. The humour in this was way overbalanced by the offence, and yet nobody complained. – Yours, etc,