Go to google and type in “Mohammed ‘not about freedom of speech’” and you’ll get, as of right now, 757 web pages on which people write that the Mohammed cartoon controversy is “not about freedom of speech.” I’ve read in multiple places the argument that the right of people to say what they want about different religions is not at issue. Rather, they say, the act of drawing Mohammed is the central offensive act.
I’ve been thinking about this since I drew my own set of four cartoons of Mohammed a while back. What is it that took my own drawings over the line, from not offensive to offensive in the eyes of some Muslims? In my thinking about this, I kept on coming back to the very notion of “Drawings of Mohammed.” What makes a “drawing of Mohammed” actually a drawing of Mohammed?
To tease out an answer to that question, here’s a picture from one of my Mohammed comics:
Now, is that an image of Mohammed? Really? What makes it an image of Mohammed? It certainly isn’t that the picture makes an accurate representation of what the actual person Mohammed looked like in his lifetime. Thanks to the Islamic iconoclasts, there are no surviving pictures of Mohammed to indicate what the man actually looked like. So I ask again, what makes this a picture of Mohammed? My answer: nothing more than me writing the words that tell you it is.
Don’t buy it? OK, watch this incredible transformation:
Poof! In a wink of an eye, Mohammed becomes Carl, the vegetarian restaurant waiter, offering you a nice glass of wheatgrass juice. What is this magic I traffic in, you ask? Well, watch me again:
Poof! It’s Mohammed again! (speaking, by the way, in his very own words from the Qu’ran)
There’s a saying in positivist science circles: “you can’t explain a variable with a constant.” Let me spell out what I think that means for the current situation. Clearly, the second of the three above pictures is not offensive (to Muslims, I mean; it may be offensive to vegetarian restaurant waiters, but they’re a pretty safe bunch to offend. No offense.) However, the third picture clearly fits within the zone of “offensive Mohammed cartoons” defined by offended Muslims. I’d also assert that the first picture qualifies as an image of Mohammed, even though nowhere in the drawing itself is the figure identified as that of Mohammed. I mean, heck, let’s look at this one of the twelve condemned Danish cartoons of Mohammed:
There are no words in the image above identifying it as an image of the prophet Mohammed, and yet it has been roundly condemned around the world. American newspapers won’t publish this image, they deem it so unacceptably offensive. Why? Because in the text that accompanied it in the original Jyllands Posten newspaper publication, it was identified by word as a picture of Mohammed.
“You can’t explain a variable with a constant.” It should be clear by now what this means here. If the drawing I’ve made remains the same but at some times is an offensive drawing of Mohammed while at other times is an inoffensive drawing of Carl the vegetarian restaurant waiter, then it can’t be the drawing itself that is the source of offense. The source of offense, rather, is the written text, text that either is incorporated into the comic itself or accompanies the comic in an attached essay.
Punch line: it’s what is said, not what is drawn, that is causing the recent hub-bub. Attempts by individuals and institutions to prohibit the publication of “Mohammed Comics” are attempts to prohibit offensive words. Them who doth protest too much that “it’s not about freedom of speech” are trotting out that line so stridently because they know that, at base, it is indeed about freedom of speech after all.
After reading this blog, I noticed alot of references to, how would you like if we drew your religious figures in a distasteful way. Well if you go into any music store or heavy metal croud you’ll see all sorts of disembowelled or sexually explicit pictures of christ, yet we allow them the freedom of speech. Thus you’ll notice little contraversery or attention to the issue. The bigger deal you make of it the more problem it creates. The drawings or art work has had no effect on the religion as a whole.
Well relax In Christianity..creating images of jesus (A.s) is not a sin. But Christianity is not the same religion as Islam. In islam creating images of not only the prophets but also other ordinary people is haram (Not permitted). So people should kindly avoid hurting the sentiments of their fellow brothers and sisters. In order to mitigate such controversies which destroy peace in the world one should simply cut the root of the problem to prevent its aftermath.
Fuck you you bastards it is not the prophet u assholes
I’d like to see some of those images, Relax. Do you have a link or a particular album cover–or whatever they’re called these days–in mind?
Here’s a more popular band
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y263/science13/Deicide_Once_Upon_The_Cross.jpg
The bands name is Decide
Eew. Is it possible to LMAO and gag at the same time? Thanks.
You Muslims are correct to be insulted, but not for the reason that you believe. You should be insulted because we westerners think this prohibition against images of the prophet are the stupidest thing we have ever heard of! (Despite their familiarity with the Judeo-Christian commandment against graven images). It is a hilarious bit of bullshit to include in a religion! I understand the intent behind such a prohibition; that one should not imagine that one can conceive the appearance of the divine, …we know well that images can seduce i.e. Madison Ave. But to believe that these things warrant killing makes it a vicious contention, certainly far worse than the transgression. We are your brothers and sisters in this world and if your brother or sister should mock or tease you you would kill them? And then you will defend that?…. Trust me, I do not believe in any man or woman that insists to know god or have been instructed by god because so many fucked up people do… such as the fundamentalists that wish to destroy Islam and the entire right wing establishment in this country that sees it only as realpolitiks and thus will justify their oil-lust necessarily. I also don’t believe that there are any truly open-minded Muslims to be found on this forum since they have no doubt sought this site out based on their outrage over cartoons…. the more I think about it the more I believe that you are stupid with stupid beliefs and a stupid religion, but don’t let the other religions get smug because they are fuckin’ stupid too. God says, “Kiss my ass if you think you know what I want!”. …Look! I’m a fuckin’ prophet, too!
You are a bunch of stupid immature little dickheads with no fukin lives go back 2 worshipping ur fukin animals coz after all der da 1 da gave birth 2 you.. in da end we will all see on judgment day what happens.. and at that time please dont cry saying sorry to ALLAH coz you just said the worst possible things you could eva say you are what ALLAH MADE YOU SO DONT question it read up on it and compare it and you will then see who the fuck is wrong and WHAT IS RIGHT for you to do you fuckin disrespecful fuckin waste!! You just pissed me ryyt fuckin off!! and dis is what you want from us Muslims.. to piss us off and pretend it aint gettin 2 buh u knw wa im actually laughing nw.. cz i belive in ALLAH and as long as he is by my side as well as all my other muslim brothers and sisters we will all be stornger then what You are!
Bless da Muslims.. && ii doo Knw all yuh fake people just cant admit the Fact ISLAM has all the answers to every question!
Firstly, half of what you have written cannot be understood, if you are going to comment in a forum at least try to look like you are partly literate. Secondly Judgement day will come to us all, you and people like you included and those of us who are peace loving good people, kind to others and those of us who care for Gods creation will find his favour. Not those who scream, shout and threaten others. You and others like you are detested by the rest of the normal world, and you think that this makes you stronger, it doesnt it makes you hated and mistrusted and understandbly so. You have my sympathy for your indoctrinated brain washed, mind knumbing upbringing and remember you will never be able to keep us quiet, we will live free or die. Remember there is a word for men that have sex with little girls, think about it and apply it when you see it !!!!!
Who ever the Fuk You are “shuffle on” Your PURE WASTED You go..
Do you feel happy, being constantly angry at the world?
Does it make you feel good to imagine people who draw cartoons being punished or tortured?
Do you think that people with opinions other than your own should be abused?
Do you think that the answer to everything lays in violence and intimidation?
Even when you keep hold of your temper and simply fantasize about your deity dishing out pain.
How is this healthy?
I notice one of your posts says “What goes around comez right back around!!”
I for one promote peace and the freedom of speech. I hope to recieve the gifts of peace and free-speech.
You appear to promote hatred, intolerance and violence, not to mention bad spelling and grammar.
If you believe “What goes around comez right back around!!”, then look you should look forward not to 40 virgins and all that, but to being killed by an angry illiterate mob.
Peace Out
I am too late………..I will be happy…..If you correct you thaughts…It is very easy to get mad a man.”I fyou dont like any thing,Dont Make troubles with your crazy tallents”Our life too short,All of them will die..it is a true,right?Be the people remember with good memories…..God is great.So be carefull.ok.Dont blame others.
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http://www.cduniverse.com/images.asp?pid=1019535&style=music&image=front&title=Deicide+%2D+Serpents+Of+The+Light+CD
another Deicide image
Delete this pic please! because it is disrespect to prohpet Mohammad (Pbuh).
I’ll delete it when you stop telling me to stop exercising the first Amendment. That is disrespectful to my constitution.
What goes around comez right back around!! so Fix it..!!
Wasteman!
Muslim, Christian, Jew, Hindu, Buddhist or Shinto. I don’t care if I am dyslexic Dog still loves me.
its the first time that i see someone attack a prophet or in another world a messenger of god . its really the end of the world. what do you want when you attack a great prophet with these pictures.
its the begining of the end
If the Muslims attack the Americans, the Americans should attack the Muslims! CRUSH, KILL, DEMOLISH.
By the way, the prophet mohammed is a faggot. I saw him fucking a goat.
Yours, truly
Mr. Black
U r the one who is a faggot u low life bastard mother fuck u son of a bitc its a insult to a bitch aswell
Right, F. I forgot your point: we faggots are not sufficiently respectful.
Now THATS just disrespectful. Why cant u all just settle this peacefully? If u see the moselems are getting insulted whats ur reason for FURTHER insulting them. I am a child and I can see the faults in all u adults! I am a jew, and I can see the wrongs even in MY OWN people. So u moselems should now that ur not rite either! Ur both rong, SO FORGET ABOUT IT!
Yea, Im a jew too and I agree with you, but young children should not be exposed to this language. I have commented on this a few times before and this doesnt seem to be ending anytime soon…so let the commenting conitinue.
Anyways. Its rude and disrespectful to badmouth a person who is not on the world today. You should stop insulting Mohommed, because the Moselems think of him as the MESSANGER of god (rite?) and you think of Jesus as the son of god. So why cant they think god had a messanger? Whats ur reason for insulting him? Now if the moselems insulted Jesus, then I woudnt be stopping you, but they didnt
i cannut believe u pigs u animals u are saveges and unbelivible
Yur da one who eats PIGS so dnt knw wa ur on about
I am a Muslim,I am very glad to say that Our prophet Mohammed Sallallahu alai-hivasallam never taught to insult other religions,their god,I have to respect all.A real Man never insult others.
Interesting, Abdunasar: you just insulted me. But don’t worry, I know that insults like this really don’t matter, so I let them roll off my back and just move on.
Dear Jim,
Forget about Abdunasar insulting you…But what he told about the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) advising his people not to insult the religion of their fellow brothers and sisters is true. On this occasion I would like to narrate some verses of the Quran to u.
Surah al Kafiroon. (the sura no 109 in quran)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
1. Say : O ye that reject Faith!
2. I worship not that which ye worship,
3. Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
4. And I will not worship that which ye have been wont to worship,
5. Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
6. To you be your Way, and to me mine.
from this evidently you will learn that Islam dose not teach us to mock the religeon of other people.
I haven’t laughed so hard in such a long time! The shift from the truely sincere comments, to the incredible fits of swearing, to the irrational and usually incomprehensible comments, is almost Monty Pythonesque in its shear absurdity. The shear width and breadth of these unrepeatable, indecyphrable absurdities is positively awful in a terribly negetative way…and yet strangely amusing. But then someone, usually Iroquois, will step in with a totally appropriate moment of humor, and I find myself on the floor laughing uncontrollably. (My daughter has complained several times that I am disturbing her) The other delight of this blog is when Jim delivers one of his logical, and well-mannered responses to someone’s drivel. It just goes to show you that people who are terribly serious are inevitably terribly funny. I commend you and your work…well-done! Cogito
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Come, come again, whoever you are, come!
Heathen, fire worshipper or idolatrous, come!
Come even if you broke your penitence a hundred times,
Ours is the portal of hope, come as you are
I am a muslim, I believe in my religion forever and I do not want to break somebody’s heart but you do, you tell people terrorist but you are the biggest one. we cannot say bad thing to
Jesus since he is one of our prophets as well. We respect him.I hope all of you will find the true way.Selamun aleyküm.
Come, come again, whoever you are, come!
Heathen, fire worshipper or idolatrous, come!
Come even if you broke your penitence a hundred times,
Ours is the portal of hope, come as you are
I am a muslim, I believe in my religion forever and I do not want to break somebody’s heart but you do, you tell people terrorist but you are the biggest one. we cannot say bad thing to
Jesus since he is one of our prophets as well. We respect him.I hope all of you will find the true way.Selamun aleyküm.
Ooh ooh! I just found the true way! First, you take interstate route 81 south through Pennsylvania…
I think you are right turkish Iam muslim too and I believe in this religion and in our prophet but I don’t why they don’t leave us alone . what will they gain from insulting him ? so strange !
Because freedom of speech is at our core beliefs, if you dont like it that is just too bad. Go and live in a country where you dont have to see anything you dont like, may I suggest Saudi, but only if youre male, its a right hell hole for women as are most muslim states. No rights, no life, no freedom, you all complain but you remain in our countries. Its simple, find an airport and leave !!!!
Dear Miss Flores,
I too have a firm belief in the rights of humanities. I too have a firm belief in the Freedom to the right of expression and speech…but there as apparently no right given to any person living on this Earth to abuse the privilege of these rights. By portraying such hurtful images of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) people are merely abusing the right of freedom to expression and speech. There is in no place a right given to hurt the sentiments of your fellow brothers and sisters. This should be stopped. People should not only stop abusing the muslim community but all other communities. It is only then shall peace be established in this world if God wills it.
*humanity
See How nice muslims are and look at them disrespectful immature brats.. ating like kids.. ini
mohammed didnt even exist. hes a myth, a simple goat herder who was into beastiality and psycadelics… the quoran is decent fiction reading,though.. i laughed uncontrollably many times, it truly is entertaining, ecspecially the goat intercourse! holy abdullah rah rah lay ye with sheep and beasts, wrap thy head in a towel so as to have an ass wipe handy. karmallah abb dadda yabba dabba doo barn!
You just stupid u really need to learn.. i bet ur about 4 yrz old!??
u know by saying that u are insulting millions of people around the world which happen to be muslim
and if you think about it if what you are saying is true how come the founders of all diffrent sciences algebra.. chemistry… engineering…physics… so on… and the worlds greatest leadres..
believed it…??!?? and people like them were all about facts …
ISLAM IS A FACT AND NO PICTURE WOULD EVER CHANGE THAT
and if you know islam you will know that it carries many principles and virtues that are the reason of our happiness
I AM A PROUD MUSLIM ….
Do YOU know that you just insulted me, because in my religion, we believe that spelling the word “you” with just the letter U is a grave sin. We also believe that using emoticons is a form of terrible blasphemy. How dare you?
Listen man, you must go back and dig deeper to find the truth, otherwise, sooner or later your going to regret. at that day (the judgment day) the regret will not be useful at all. either Hell or Heaven.
“Either Hell or Heaven?” No, there are other choices – like France. I’d like to go to France some day. It has the special benefit of being a real place.
Well..U need to learn in detailed context about what happens on the day of judgement according to the muslims. After doing so u will realise that there will not be any France or Britain or ay other cuntry existing in this world at that time.!
all u h8rs r stupid the bible is fake the pope is gay and ur grans r hoes
u americans and christians hav no idea wat religion is all u do is hav a wank and finger ur mothers
urs truely
william berth FROM THE UK
I think the best part of that comment is the “william” at the bottom.
PLZ REMOVE THSI TYPE OF IMAGES ITS HURT REALLY
Really? You belong to a religion where pictures of people named Carl are offensive? Where does it hurt you, in your back? In your foot? In your intolerance organ?
if a multitude does not like and even hate that their religious leader should not be drawn in any form then why sb should try to hurt the sensitive feelings of such millions. if sb enjoys doing this means he is a sadist . what is the benefit u are getting by hurting the heart of many muslims…whatever justification you made is blank before this gentle reasoning. i do not spit in the body of anybody else thoug i have the freedom to spit. here you have the freedom to draw anything provided it does not pain anybody even in a gentle manner.
this is not abt ur freedom – this is called mental disorder.
this is a hobby for some christians and jews adn even some hindus just to letflaw their mad religion
sorry for this
The “freedom to draw anything provided it does not pain anybody even in a gentle manner” is not freedom.
Watch. Here’s how it works.
1. You should have the freedom to write anything, Ashraf, provided it does not pain anybody even in a gentle manner.
2. Oh, it pains me that you write what you write, Ashraf.
3. So you should not be allowed to write what you write, Ashraf.
How do you feel about it when the shoe’s on the other foot, Ashraf?
you can’t know? i guess not.
wow! nearly four years and still posting on this article. that’s dedication you can’t know!
p.s. jim, now it’s not just our goverment you’ve pissed off. you’ve pissed off people you can’t know! this could be BAD!
Muhhamed Sucks people
Now see, that’s exactly the kind of idiotic bigoted comment you’re going to attract when you try some interesting irony.
It’s a dang shame, because the point you’re trying to make isn’t really anti-Islamic. It’s pro-freedom–the freedom to say anything you want even if it hurts someone’s feelings. The irony is that the more people insist on not having their feelings hurt, through laws or threats, the more they frankly deserve to have their feelings hurt and the more hurting their feelings becomes a civic responsibility.
Now, that’s all mucked up by some brain-dead bigoted weasel coming along and writing something like “Muhhamed Sucks people”
This is a profoundly stupid utterance on so many levels. Where do I begin?
Well first of all, Muhhamed it’s a pretty screwy way to romanize the prophet’s name.
Second of all, if the words Muhammed and Sucks are capitalized, this indicates that something by the name of Muhhamed Sucks is a proper noun. Is it? I’m not finding it on Wikipedia.
Third of all, following a proper noun with the noun “people” does not constitute a grammatically decipherable sentence. You really need a verb.
Fourth, let’s be charitable and suppose that, despite the capitalization, “Sucks” is meant to be a verb. Even were that the case, without a comma in front of “people,” it would be a transitive verb. Is this accusation founded? Does this guy “Muhhamed,” whoever HE is, suck on people? Like lollipops?
Congratulations, moron, on packing four grammatical errors into a three word sentence. If you want to stand up for The West, why don’t you try learning a European language–like English.
LOL
Ur mum sucks
I love these threads. It’s like watching old cowboy movies; even if you’ve never seen that particular one before, you know pretty much exactly what’s going to happen. But if you’re in ‘that’ frame of mind, it just doesn’t matter. Sam with these comment threads; hit google, search for ‘Mohammed’, pick a reasonable sounding post, and have a bet with yourself how many comments down you’ll have to go before come across the ‘usual suspects’ – inevitably, not long at all. You really know you’ve got a live one when ‘ur’ appears multiple times, or the ‘caps lock’ seems to have been welded down.
I happen to like the original post here, because it makes a rather useful point about what is actually causing the offence. But this is really about the collision of two worlds that, while not so utterly different at a superficial level as some global other cultures would appear to be, simply cannot be reconciled – the ultimate ‘unstoppable force meets immovable object’ of human interaction. If the battle is thought on logic and thought, freedom of speech will win every time; it’s a robust and self managing system that gives everyone space to develop. All monotheistic religions rest on the extremely shaky foundation of the unprovable and tend to show their age very, very badly. But they excel as tools for social control; keep ‘em stupid and they’ll do anything you want. After all, it worked brilliantly for the Catholic church till Luther did his thing.
But neither side in this will play by (or even acknowledge!) the others rules, and the end will only come when sufficient reason seeps into Islams little warriors to expose the utterly pointless, ridiculous fairy story they live by for what it is. Or they will win if we open the door even a crack by getting too lazy and acceding to their demands to tone down freedom of speech in the name of (forced) respect.
I respect everyone’s right to remain ignorant and believe whatever bullshit they want, provided they respect mine to rip the piss out of them as mercilessly as seems appropriate. The Ashrafs and Faizs of this world only make a rod for their own backs every time they open their mouths before engaging their brains.
Christians, Jews, Muslims…. you are all the same. You believe in teachings that when scrutinized are completely ludicrous. The only major difference is that most christians and jews have separated themselves from the rule of law that they are supposed to follow in their texts. Muslims abide by their book, and in doing so continue their violent religion. Although this may insult some of you muslims, violence is subjective and compared to the human rights we possess as Americans, it’s obvious that your religion deserves the label of “violent”. I enjoy the fact that I can follow any religion or NONE at all (the common sense approach) and live free.
jews, arabs and all kind of chinks STINK and i hate em!
FUCK U CHRISTIANS AND JEWS MOTHERFUKERS FUCK UR JESUS TOOO
Your Site Is Great!,
Hell. Hell is spending your whole life on a superstition and a belief system that amounts to nothing the day you die, just blackness. No Heaven, no hell. You simply will not exist.
Now I know you want to seem special, you want to feel like you have a purpose in life, but I’m sorry, you don’t.
Little monkey, with your tears, its ok to cry, after all, you can contemplate your own demise. It’s very sad. So get on with your life and live a little, you don’t have much time left so don’t waste it on religion. Maybe even try loving your fellow primate or something.
You know first about Mohamed then you talk about you take information about him from the correct source not from your mind
Really you are like child you are drawing some picture you don’t know any thing about it
My boy you study well…. Ok
See Mohammad the best human in this world ….. Don’t for get
U son of a bitch
fuck u man who ever u are………don’t forget a BIG revenge is waiting for you all who make fun of our beloved holly prophet (piece be upon him)…….REMEMBER !!!!!!!!
O goody. Is it chocolate-flavored revenge? Or mint? A nice mint revenge sauce goes well with chicken.
they are the fuck! who ever has drawn the image of it just remove it or else u will be in the bloody fucking jail!
if u r a muslim den listen no1 has seen prophet mohammed so u cant just draw it ok get dat!! :/
yes i agree with noman as he is rite yet no1 has seen prophet mohammed so u just cant draw a pic and it doesnt matters about the words but drawing his face and naming as prophet mohammed is a bitchy and a fucking thing so its better for the one who has posted it dat to remove dis fucking pics!! dats all i conclude:
your mother fuck! u people are just waste in the world addicted with all sins!
u dont even know whats our religion is based upon!
u people are just fucking to ur bloody self by letting ur life on believing on such idols 1
go and say to dat fucking idol to eat and show den if dat idol eat i am betting u dat i ll just change my religion (nauzbillah)!
u know wat even idol will say to allah dast these people were worshipping us and we didnt said them to worship us huh.. i think dat u dont even studied as i guess u r just doing a foolish thing in ur life when u will die later on u will able to know that allah really exist in the world!
if u know arabic just check ur fingers dat it is written allah on ur fingers in arabic not only u on every human fingers it is written there!