Current events and sweeping generalisations
This and this have made me think. I have mixed feelings about the Danish cartoon fiasco. On the one hand, freedom of speech and criticism is so important. But then, surely to have a freedom requires responsibility, and so in this instance was it right to piss some people off on purpose? Especially the type of people with connections to extremists. Indeed, does it work as a recruiting sergeant for extremists?
We can only realistically work on the basis of our local environment, which is why democratic states seem to settle at a certain size above which varying degrees of totalitarianism are required to keep the lid on the internal problems. So we can only look at the Danish media looking as far as their own country in the actions in support of free speech. These small media organisations cannot hope to influence, in real terms, the opinions of millions of people of varying cultural backgrounds. Though they can inflame the indignation of those same millions. Interesting.
So anyway, the plotters in the latest Danish Cartoon saga were majority Danish. In other words, people who had citizenship, but no loyalty to the majority held concepts in Denmark. indeed, specifically a concept which might be called a 'foundation stone of western civilisation'. This chimes with the state vs culture view of Dr Rowan Williams. My take on that was that the state should evolve to reflect the culture. If the Danish state, or indeed our state does not reflect Islamic culture, then it's because not a high enough percentage of the population holds those values. From recent events I'd say the Muslim population punches above their weight when it comes to their views being heard.
I heard an interesting take on the Rowan Willams Sharia Law debate was on Radio 4. Some chap called in suggesting that Dr Willaims, unable to call for more respect for Christian beliefs, is arguing for them using Muslims as a sort of Proxy. If people take them seriously, and take their beliefs into the law, maybe Christian ideas will gain more credence. Linking the two, sharia law and Christian thought, brings with it interesting connotations: most people violently rejected Sharia law in the UK as it is out dated, occasionally homophobic, mysoginistic and racist (depending on which version you follow). All reasons I reject Christianity. Sharia law and established christianity do help retain cultural values, which is important. But when the acceptable values are intwined with xenophobia and fear of change and progress, should we really be putting any sort of kudos behind either system. Indeed, shouldn't we reject all religion-based belief systems and keep to the ones arrived at by reasoning, consideration, progress and a belief in equality.
On that note, I was searching for a 'universal' idea which all reasonable people should adhere to. Something no-one could refute without being looked down on by all people in this country. Something that our culture is based on. The only one I could come up with is equality: all people are of equal value. Any one got any other suggestions?
We can only realistically work on the basis of our local environment, which is why democratic states seem to settle at a certain size above which varying degrees of totalitarianism are required to keep the lid on the internal problems. So we can only look at the Danish media looking as far as their own country in the actions in support of free speech. These small media organisations cannot hope to influence, in real terms, the opinions of millions of people of varying cultural backgrounds. Though they can inflame the indignation of those same millions. Interesting.
So anyway, the plotters in the latest Danish Cartoon saga were majority Danish. In other words, people who had citizenship, but no loyalty to the majority held concepts in Denmark. indeed, specifically a concept which might be called a 'foundation stone of western civilisation'. This chimes with the state vs culture view of Dr Rowan Williams. My take on that was that the state should evolve to reflect the culture. If the Danish state, or indeed our state does not reflect Islamic culture, then it's because not a high enough percentage of the population holds those values. From recent events I'd say the Muslim population punches above their weight when it comes to their views being heard.
I heard an interesting take on the Rowan Willams Sharia Law debate was on Radio 4. Some chap called in suggesting that Dr Willaims, unable to call for more respect for Christian beliefs, is arguing for them using Muslims as a sort of Proxy. If people take them seriously, and take their beliefs into the law, maybe Christian ideas will gain more credence. Linking the two, sharia law and Christian thought, brings with it interesting connotations: most people violently rejected Sharia law in the UK as it is out dated, occasionally homophobic, mysoginistic and racist (depending on which version you follow). All reasons I reject Christianity. Sharia law and established christianity do help retain cultural values, which is important. But when the acceptable values are intwined with xenophobia and fear of change and progress, should we really be putting any sort of kudos behind either system. Indeed, shouldn't we reject all religion-based belief systems and keep to the ones arrived at by reasoning, consideration, progress and a belief in equality.
On that note, I was searching for a 'universal' idea which all reasonable people should adhere to. Something no-one could refute without being looked down on by all people in this country. Something that our culture is based on. The only one I could come up with is equality: all people are of equal value. Any one got any other suggestions?