Abu Bakar Bashir and Shariah Law

[supersoodie]

"Muslim leaders today have fallen short of the Prophet's example. They mouth empty pious phrases about how they yearn for an Islamic state, but they don't have the guts or will to do it. " so said Abu Bakar Bashir during this interview .  Yes the prophet's example, the one where his behaviour suggested that he may be one of the first feminists

Comments

freedom of speech

[anonymous]

I think we do have to restrict comment. Restrictions are like road rules, designed to keep everyone "safe". So whilst there should be freedom of speech, there should also be "rules".

I note with interest that, if I was a nazi (as an example), I do not think I would be able to have "freedom" to express my views on the Jews. or to march in the streets burnng the israeli flag. I see the Muslim faith as no different and perhaps even more dangerous than Nazisim.

I note with interest that the british historian who denies the holocaust is now in jail for his views...

Whilst any political party or religeous party promotes hatred we should protect ourselves from it... ( just a thought) :o)

Re: freedom of speech

[supersoodie]

Thanks for your thoughts... I think the area where I get a bit blurred is the notion of who decides what those restrictions should be, and who is that person/parliament/organisation who should recieve such power. Clearly I have very strong views about right and wrong, but these are my views and not ones that I generally seek to impose on others... I will seek to campaign against others where they strongly oppose my view of right and wrong where others are in danger, but otherwise I am in favour of anything that encourages debate. I certainly believe the Nazi regime was deplorable, but I also know that there were times when society thought that talk of the world being round was akin to insanity and those who spoke of such evil were worthy of jail.
Where do we draw the line? How do you define 'promoting hatred'? Is the Howard Govt's war against 'boat people' promoting hatred? Which kinds of hatred are acceptable and which aren't?
Very much appreciate your comments, and I will further consider.

Re: freedom of speech

[anonymous]

I agree. Just how far do we let it go. I think that in reality there is no such thing as freedom of speech, only our perception of it.
AS for howards war on boat people:- potentially a cheap way of proctecting our shores? ( well cheaper than lots of boats and a coast guard). Recently I do not think he ever wanted the processing of Papuan assylum seekers to be done off shore. It was just a clever stunt to make Indonesia happy.. when that failed to go through parliment he could say
wasn't me!"...
Don;t forget we have a huge unprotected shore line. it would take very little for the trickle to become a flood. even passively B...U...T we do have to help those in genuine need. 100% how dop we define them.
That does not mean we should be paranoid either. I am sad we simply follow America blindly. eg Iraq. That war was crap. Saddam threatened to buy Euros instead of US dollars, if he did that. USA would have been bankrupt...

World history is generally written by the victors.

(just a thought)

Re: freedom of speech

[supersoodie]

Too true. Wish there was a simple answer, there never is though, and it is made all the more complex a question thanks to an unscrupulous PM who is willing to manipulate any situation that would give him some kind of political advantage.