Why would anybody get upset by the drawn image of the prophet Mohammad?

[Gandalf]

BBC News - US cartoonist apologises over Facebook Muhammad row

I know this is another thread in the same vein as the flag t-shirts one and the one where the Muslims got angry about some guy who was trying to make a point about free speech, but I thought I would start another one and include a poll.

First off as in intelligent rational human being, I cannot bring myself to follow any kind of organised religion. I think religion has always existed as a means for those who desire power to try and maintain control and influence over the general population. It's interesting that they have continued to wield such influence despite our ability to understand the world around us ever more clearly. In a few hundred years we have gone from thinking the earth was flat and that we were the centre of the universe to realising that we are a miniscule globe in an ever expanding universe. Science has given us so much knowledge, and yet we cling to these peculiar faiths where logic and reason are largely absent. 'Take the leap of faith with me and you will get to heaven'...yeah right. What does this have to do with the prophet Mohammad? Well not too much in a direct sense, but I'm just trying to get across my general perception that organised religion is quite absurd. I don't believe in god and I certainly don't care about fanciful notions of going to heaven. Not that I care too much if others choose to follow a particular faith, that is their choice, but it does bother me when satire and cartoons can be used as the springboard to threaten death upon others.

Now this brings me onto this ongoing controversy about the problems with the drawn image of the prophet Mohammad. It's something that I find difficult to get my head around. Even if I was a Muslim, with my liberal sensibilities, I would find it very hard to get upset by an image of a human being. After all wasn't Mohammad just a messenger who was spreading the word of god? The christians seem much more chilled about this kind of thing. We see images of Jesus everywhere. Admittedly, they are probably not a good likeness with the blue eyes and snow white skin, but people are on the whole quite comfortable with the image. It isn't upsetting anyone nor are christians hacking people down with axes. The Muslims seem so much more more sensitive about things and are seemingly so much more inclined towards violence. There are protests and calls to murder if you draw a cartoon or try and put a face towards this mysterious figure.

Is it only me that finds this completely nuts? I am obviously not a religious man, but I find it downright strange how savage and simple some people can be when you dare to mock their religion or pass comment in a way that they deem unnaceptable. Religion is absurd, but so too is life and I really think that satire and comedy are some of the best ways of coming to terms with things. To get angry and want to hurt others over it is really weak IMO and makes me think very negatively about the intolerance of such a faith.

Thought

I'm an atheist also Miles, but as soon as you start trying to assert superiority because of your own belief system, you're as bad as all those up their own arse religious people who feel so morally superior. It would be much better to actually acknowledge that we have no fucking clue what is really going on with the world (guess what, people 200 years ago had science as well), so might as well just sit back, enjoy the ride. That goes for religious people and atheist who all think they exclusively have 'the answer'.

As it is, religious faith is no indication of a rational and logical mindset. I know many religious people who are far more informed and rational than myself. In fact, they certainly are more rational than almost any of us on here who are determined to see men beaten the shit out of because we dislike what we have seen of them in tv shows, rumoured quotes we believe them to have said or how they're ranked in boxing magazines. Boxing fans are the last people who should claim to have the book on being logical and rational.

My belief system works for me and I find it more logical to say that God does not exist considering that we have no proof of his role in creating man nor the earth. And when we get on to hocus pocus like immaculate conceptions and sons of god, that is where I much prefer the logic and reasoning that science has given us. If I have a medical problem I will go to a western hospital rather an oriental clinic. Why? Because I prefer the treatment backed by research over being told to eat twigs and berries for week. Fair enough that many would prefer the alternatives, but I am quite content in the knowledge that my choices make more sense to me. I don't believe in any organised religion as I find it extremely silly, but I will not force my views on others and will respect those who disagree, just as long as they don't try to force it down my throat.

Getting so offended by the content found in the western media or even individuals wishing to express themselves freely is stupid and a very base reflection of the mindset of some of those following the Muslim faith. If they don't like it then they shouldn't read the western media, they certainly shouldn't be living in free cultures. Nobody is asking to be friends, but the least you can expect is that we shouldn't be trying to phyisically harm each other. I may dislike Amir Khan, but I would never want to beat him with a stick for the silly things he does. See, you can dislike something without having to take it to the next level. Would I want to assasinate Amir Khan? No, because I am quite aware of how I come across regarding Khan. I really don't take it quite that seriously.