Musings on Other Cultures V: Blasphemy

Blasphemy is the expression of intolerance towards others' beliefs. And it is, without a doubt, the ultimate microcosm of Western extremism.

To mock or doubt another person's belief system is cruel, insensitive, and very hurtful. And in particular, we are now living in an age when it is apparently deemed acceptable for callous Westerners to ridicule the most holy elements of the Islamic faith.

As you know, I too am enraged by the blasphemous cartoons of Mohammed that were published in Denmark. Tell me: What did this benevolent faith, these peaceful citizens of our planet, do to warrant such vulgar lies and insinuations?

And how else can the victims of such humiliation display their displeasure other than with a pleading cry of "blasphemy!" to an unlistening world? Just as the Palestinian people are forced to use suicide bombers because they do not have a Zionist Army, the people of Islam only have the principle of blasphemy to defend themselves and their culture from a violent and unforgiving West.

We must learn to listen to, and appreciate, other cultures.