Is Religion Friendly Or Deadly?
By Artemeis
@artemeis (4194)
China
September 12, 2012 3:22am CST
Another religious outburst had just happened when Egyptians stormed the American Consulate in Libya resulting in on US employee being killed.
Over what?
Unfortunately, it is over an online film which is considered to be hateful and offensive to Islam.
The questionable film is said to have wrongly portrayed the Prophet Mohammed as a child molester, womanizer and a child killer. To add further insult, the film was actually written and produced by an American Israeli real estate developer, whose main purpose was to showcase that Islam is a hateful religion.
On one hand, I have to ask how this film could actually be produced and worse be allowed to be aired. America which deplores any intentional effort to denigrate the religious beliefs of others, has once again been contradicted by the freedom of speech and expression to allow this controversy. Yet, speaks of religious tolerance when the basis of such harmony is about responsible expression and speech.
On the other hand, I have to ask if it is necessary for the Muslims to resort to attacking a foreign embassy in their country. It is true that the Americans are at fault for letting the film out but violence to the irrelevant parties like the foreign American embassy is wrong. They should take it up with the film producers and relevant cultural departments for this film. By resorting to violence only makes the film drive home the point that Islam is hateful.
I think the Muslims need to ask if their almighty God really need common people to defend His name so violently.
Ref:
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/09/12/world/meast/egpyt-us-embassy-protests/
4 people like this
14 responses
@gpldeguzman (168)
• Qatar
12 Sep 12
Religion is a way to God, for me it is never deadly. It then become deadly because of the people who doesn't respect each other's belief and faith.
@artemeis (4194)
• China
24 Sep 12
So far, I believe it is the radicals and extremists that are responsible for the protracted interpretations and teachings of Islam. But, I wonder the reasons behind for the Muslims' failure to spot and stop these groups of people from committing these atrocities.
Somehow, I feel that they need to revamp their system and reform their education.
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
12 Sep 12
It's not religion or even the lack of, which is deadly, it is human nature which is flawed. It's also human nature to want to think and claim it's a fault of other groups of people, not one's own, in extreme cases, not one's own ethinicity but another. This is all crazy and I call it the blame game the true cause of most wars other than (or along with) for power and land. But it is one race which is to blame and can be deadly.. the HUMAN race!
1 person likes this
@artemeis (4194)
• China
14 Sep 12
I believe that is precisely why a lot of countries are not fully implementing the freedom of speech and expression because of faulty humans.
So if religions claim that they are peace loving, then I think they should stick to their side of the bargain and not caused suffering to those around them.
@rogue13xmen13 (14402)
• United States
12 Sep 12
It depends. More often than not, it can be deadly. There are very few times where it is friendly.
I used to be a Catholic, and yes, Catholics have missions and charities, and often times do good work, but there have been many horrible things that happened in the church, and these things cannot be overlooked.
I have had many friends who are Mormons, and their religion does many good works as well, they do help out the poor, but there are many things in their religion that cannot be overlooked as well. They fact that they didn't let minorities into their religion until the 70s, and the fact that there are many people who do not feel welcomed in that religion.
Again, pretty much name a religion, and the cons and pros of that religion can be brought out immediately.
@artemeis (4194)
• China
14 Sep 12
I agree that there are always blacksheeps around but you have to agree with me that unlike the Islamic extremists, a lot of the other side are being stopped or disbanded.
In the Islamic scene, I think there is more to it and it is so much that even their own could not control or overcome these bad blacksheeps.
@AidaLily (1450)
• United States
12 Sep 12
Religion is not friendly or deadly, but any religion can turn deadly when you have fanatics. That goes for all religions even those considered "good" here in the U.S. because no matter how much good some do, you have others who will take their beliefs to violent levels.
Now the fact that an American Israeli made the movie in the first place was wrong. I understand the religious organizations have been warring since what most people believe is the dawn of time, but the fact is here in the U.S. someone should have realized even allowing such a movie to be made would provoke an attack as such.
However, I do not believe the Muslims in this attack had a right to attack a foreign embassy as it was an irrelevant party, but I can see why they were angry. It was blatantly disrespectful to allow the movie to get made and to be able to be distributed in the first place. It is a disgusting show, but religious tolerance in America doesn't exist unless you will agree with Judaism or Christianity.
1 person likes this
@artemeis (4194)
• China
14 Sep 12
I believe the violence in any religion will never stop if authorities from both the countries and religions do not outlaw and denounce the wrongdoers.
On one hand, there may be a wrong committed but if religion can truly observe what they teach about tolerance then I am sure the outcome would have been otherwise and this world will indeed be a better place.
@mikyung (2232)
• Philippines
12 Sep 12
I feel bad about what's happening around the globe particularly when religion is involved. we need to respect each other's religion and belief, that's the main thing here to avoid violence and harming. Hope everything will be ok and be settled and justice shall prevail here. Thanks
1 person likes this
@artemeis (4194)
• China
14 Sep 12
I think besides respecting, there is a need for tolerance and forgiveness on the other side as well to avoid the harm and violence.
Let me add that, no amount of arrests or wars will ever settle things and see justice prevail if the one side (religious) does not know how to control unfavorable characters from doing evil.
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
12 Sep 12
As a Christian I do not understand why Muslims take it upon themselves to kill, maim and burn to please their God. It is against his commands and peacable Muslims protest against such violence. We cannot put the world to rights by doing wrong ourselves.
I know it is painful for Muslims when Mohammed is insulted or Korans burned but they are not alone in this. All religions suffer insult one way or another.
Jesus was hated, crucified, his image tarnished from the first. He was called a blasphemer. For 2,000 years Christians have seen Him abused in every possible way. In films and books he has even been portrayed as a homosexual, ridiculed as a fool and so on. Jesus himself has told us to love our enemies and pray for them. That's an example fanatical Muslims should take to heart.
I believe my God could punish evil with a brush of His hand, but He forbears. We are told, in the New Testament, that this is because He loves mankind and patiently waits for mankind or man unkind to turn to Him for forgiveness.
In answer to the question I think religion is only deadly if the supposed 'god' is deadly too.
@artemeis (4194)
• China
14 Sep 12
I have to admit that I cannot agree with these protestors who are taking upon themselves to defend their religion.
They always claimed here that they are peace loving, forgiving, tolerant and every good but when a cheap movie flick is aired, then all hell breaks loose.
Who can understand?
@varunkrishna007 (1909)
• India
12 Sep 12
Religion is never friendly or deadly. Its a framework of beliefs which people are supposed to follow. Unfortunately, these days, we humans use it as a tool for spreading violence and mis trust. No religion is bad or deadly, all religions convey the message of peace and brotherhood. But many factions in the society are interested in splitting people in the name of religion caste and creed for their benefits and unfortunately many s time, our society falls prey to such social evils.
@artemeis (4194)
• China
12 Sep 12
I think religion is deadly when as you have said is being used as a tool to justify violent war in the form of terrorism and friendly when it conveys the message of peace and brotherhood.
However, I don't think the deadly part could ever stop if the religion does not do anything to the radicals in their midst. This is beyond religious tolerance and this failure lets everyone conclude that there is some kind of hidden agenda where the radicals are being kept to do the various "extreme" works for the religion.
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
12 Sep 12
I guess it's religious fanaticism that creates hatred and not the religion itself that creates it. I know Muslims in our place and they are quite peaceful and sometimes nice to deal with.
These religious fanatics are the ones that infuriates and provoke all in the name of Islam which I believe is wrong. Being in a lawless place like Libya right now it is an easy place to gather fanatics and provoke violence.
1 person likes this
@artemeis (4194)
• China
12 Sep 12
I believe it is the radicals and extremists, not fanatics that are responsible for the violence and terrorism. The latest information on the killings is that Al Qaeda is responsible for the killings of the US envoy and 3 other Americans at Libya.
I understand that the cheap movie production to be offending to the Islamic believers but the killing and attack on the embassy is not justifiable. However, Islam should never allow these radicals and extremists in their midst and evermore determined to take necessary actions on these violent sects.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
13 Sep 12
Hi artemeis, Much of what we call religion today is not religion as it was meant to be. That is not to say that there aren't good people in all religions, of course there are. That film should never have been produced and the people involved are directly responsible for what is happening in the world today. Muslims are very dedicated and loyal to their religion and as we all know it only takes a few to invite a riot and we all know what mob violence can do. It has happened many times in the Christian world too. Islam is not hateful and neither is Christianity, yet there are those is both religions who portray it that way. It is good for a person to be spiritual but I sometimes think that the world would be a better place without religion. Blessings.
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
13 Sep 12
True religion is not deadly. It is not violent, it does not kill. The problem is not all religions are true religion, most of them are fake disguising under the umbrella of religion. Another problem is that the followers of false religions are oftentimes fanatic with their religion so that they becoming follower of religion and not of God. If they are truly followers of God then they won't kill that way.
@beenice2 (2967)
• Sackville, New Brunswick
12 Sep 12
I wouldn't get to much bent out of shape over things that is not to you to judge and to solve on your own strength, it would just create more war from your behalf. So religion is a big word that doesn't describe why Christ came on this earth. I frankly don't look too much at those things to get myself cranky to the point of harassing people about religion. I have my own belief don't try to make others look bad.It does make people think that you have an agenda that you follow whatever,sorry but that is my answer.
@rjschultz68 (387)
•
12 Sep 12
I would echo one otrtwo thoughts above in that religion, per se, is not to blame but the wrong-headed actions of extremists. The Director seems to have been deliberately antogonistic in this instance and, if this is his/her desired response then they should be brought to book.As you allude to, the US is in a thankless postion in trying to uphold freedom of speech while trying to avert inevitable repercussions. This is impossible,unless they outlaw what is deemed 'freedom of speech' if it is seen to be deliberately provocative. But then it would not be true freedom of speech as, however deranged we may believe some people to be, who are is anyone to question their right to air their views?
1 person likes this
@artemeis (4194)
• China
12 Sep 12
I think a lot of people including me would like to know why these extremists are not being denounced and removed in the Islamic circle. The authorities in this religion have to be responsible for their good name and reputation. Failure on their part will just implicate the religion and complicate things for the good Muslims.
On the other side, the Americans should start outlawing acts like producing such offensive movie and provoking ill sentiments amongst the people. I do not see any contradictions here when upholding irresponsible freedom could lead to severe retributions and lost of innocent lives.
@artemeis (4194)
• China
14 Sep 12
For the first one, he should be arrested and punished or locked up and have the keys thrown away.
For the second one, I believe we can never trust when he will turn rogue when there is no control and discipline within. This is why terrorism still exists today.
@youiemohctar (30)
• Philippines
12 Sep 12
Hi
i think most of people these days don't know what /is/are they believe in.. they just follow traditionally what they have seen from the past or even from their heir. religion has nothing to do if u believe in something what is right.. religion is just a form organization what makes it bad is the people in it. so it may be islam,christian,buddism or other form of religion lets not judge of what we see and hear.. for we have different beliefs and some people just stand of what they believe. there are so many stories uncovered by the media that is also may contradict our own beliefs. i think the best way is to understand that the world is full of different wise people..^^
@artemeis (4194)
• China
14 Sep 12
I have to say that I cannot buy the blind leading the blind theory because in religion there is the coward mastermind like Osama Bin Laden that will make their followers do their "dirty" works while they sit behind some strong fort with their family members.
Unlike other religions, those radicals in the Islamic circle seems to be irremovable and they are like being kept for terror purposes. Politics is always being confused here but I think we have seen enough to believe this.
