Berlin 1933
"But they haven't even been published yet."
(Hat tip to Holger Awakens and Monkey in the Middle).
In yet another case of publishers being afraid to publish books that might offend Muslims, a German publisher has pulled a book that addressed the issue of "honor killings".
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,563380,00.html
My reaction:
In this blog, I write often (disproportionately perhaps) about Islamic terror and extremism. I do so because I consider it the signature issue of our time. Yet, I myself have drawn the line in certain areas. For example, I have chosen not to post the Danish cartoons for reasons I recently explained. In addition, I don't feel that I have outright insulted Islam as a religion (some may disagree.) If a mosque or other Muslim display is defaced, I speak out in criticism, as I have just in the past few days.
I do feel, however, that this book should not have been pulled. The issue of honor killings is a legitimate point of discussion-especially since these crimes have been committed in the West-contrary to every principle of law we have. It is also a fact-not a myth. So why should we in the West not be aware of it, talk about it, and condemn it?
As a Christian, I would not have any objection to a book that described the Inquisition or the current issue of pedophile priests. They are facts and should be open to discussion.
As for the comments of Ibrahim Hooper, CAIR's press spokesman, they are disingenuous as usual. Perhaps, Mr Hooper should ponder why a publisher would pull a book out of fear of Muslim violent backlash, such as sharing the fate of the Danish cartoonist who has to live under death threats in his own country (and just narrowly escaped an attack in his own home). Hooper knows full well that this is much more than simply "offending" Muslims. It is a genuine fear of violent retribution.
Religions should, indeed, be respected, but when it starts to affect us-especially in the form of political ideology (shariah law), we in the West have every right-and responsibility to discuss these issues. That is part of our freedoms. The Germans above all should recognize that. (Alas, they are not alone.)
Someday, I would hope Mr Hooper can explain to us the reason for all the riots, killings and death threats.
2 comments:
Gary, the Germans are the last ones to defend anything, least of all religion, because most of them don't have any. Yes, they have tradition, get married in church, baptize their children, celebrate christmas etc. but ask them why, you get a "I don't know" answer. Talk to some of the young Mormons that are here on their mission, you hear the same thing, Germans don't care. They are the most apathetic people I know. So why should they protest if a book doesn't get published? I hear it all the time from young people "Islam is a peaceful religion".
Also, most Germans I speak with don't know any Jews personally, they tend to blame Jews and the Americans for keeping up the constant reminder of the holocaust, which they would like to put in the past, but feel that they are not allowed to. Maybe this is why they are afraid to protest, lest they are accused of starting something new.
Ingrid,
Thanks for your imput. The only thing I would add is that first, we should not tolerate what is intolerable and second, the Germans and other Europeans better enjoy their newly found secularism while they have it. If things continue as they are, in the next generation or two, they will not be secular. They won't even get to choose which religion to belong to.
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