I was horrified to hear of the attack on the magazine in France by Muslim extremists. The murder of artists, the political cartoonists, who are so adept at pushing buttons with their often controversial depictions of those in power is very shocking. It's also very scary. However, the resulting huge demonstrations where pens, instead of candles, were held aloft to defy those who would silence the freedom of the press was astounding.
It grieves me terribly when my Lord and Savior is part of one of these political cartoons. It upsets me when the Christian faith is mocked. But then, we obviously have done something to earn the rapier edge of the artist's pen. We have a long way to go to be like Jesus!
Part of the Muslim practice is to never use any depiction of a human form relating to their faith. That's why their temples are adorned with complex arrangements of pattern and colour. Is there any way for the political cartoonists to get their point across yet still respect this fundamental part of the Muslim life?
On the other hand, we don't often hear of the countless Christian missionaries and followers who are being killed in Muslim countries. The persecution of people trying to share the gospel appears to be invisible in the media. Somehow it doesn't seem to matter.
Maybe what's wrong with Christians is we are too passive about protecting our own fundamental beliefs. Perhaps we need to stand behind those who have the courage to go out to try and conquer the world with love. Maybe instead of demonstrations where pens are held aloft, they should be crosses.
Or perhaps the press isn't as free as we think it is.
"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Mat 5:11-12
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Boundary Study Part 2
"Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God--truly righteous and holy...
A sign of healthy self-esteem is that we can laugh at ourselves. And free speech must be protected. However, I'm not convinced that satire or sarcasm are effective tools for societal change, if that's why these publishers do it. (And if that's not the motive, then is it just ill-will?)
ReplyDeleteIs free speech a right or a privilege? Does it come with some responsibilities? I don't think that free speech is valuable when it deeply offends or wounds others. That's why we have laws against hate crimes.