Via.
Hilarious, but for an intriguing, thought-provoking look at modern art that has got some religious fanatics' panties in a twist, Eclectix, one of my favorite art blogs, has a great article: In the Name of God--Art, Censorship and Hypocrisy. Not for the easily offended, and some is NSFW.
It bothers me that a certain nutcase from Florida wants to come to my town, Dearborn, MI, next week and burn a Koran in front of the Islamic Center of America. But I'm torn. I can't say that he shouldn't be allowed to do so, as that is the same as saying that the above pieces of work shouldn't be shown. This isn't First Amendment rights; it's about universal tolerance. I've said all my life that while I may not like what you have to say, I would defend to the death your right to say it. To take away that right would be a blow to humanity, no matter what message the idiot with the ridiculous mustache and leather biker jacket (oooh, Pastor Jones, you are so cool! let me burn a Koran next to you!) is putting forth.
Our local court, btw, denied him the right to "protest" Sharia and extreme, militant Islam, on the grounds that it would incite a riot. Still, he says he'll be back this Friday.
So much is done in the name of religion. So much that is tragic and sad. We could all use a bit more of that universal tolerance.
Did not go to MIL's today. The last thing she wrote in the infamously nasty three-page letter a while back was, "I am making Easter dinner and you are invited. OH THATS RIGHT YOUR NOT RELIGIOUS." Accompanied by scribbled underlinings and a plethora of exclamation points. She clearly stabbed the page a couple of times. At any rate, I didn't think that the invitation merited an RSVP, and then there was the three pages before that... Yeah. Did not go. Fallout might be spectacular, but I'm hoping she simply writes us out of the will and never talks to us again.
Happy Easter.
I wrote a "questioning" poem for my Easter posting, if you fancy a look. I'm pretty much with you on religion. Good on you not tolerating your MIL.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter, whatever you get up to!
I wish more people understood/believed in universal tolerance. I'm saddened by the way that demonstrations of hate tend to feed on themselves. (Bombings in Pakistan/Afghanistan were blamed on a previous burning of the Koran, whether it was this minister or another, I don't recall.)
ReplyDeleteI believe the bombings were blamed on Pastor Jones's previous burning. Protesting is one thing, but what happened to peaceful protests? Ghandi, the hippies of the 60s and 70s, they were on to something.
ReplyDeleteTsk..it took me a while to notice the trampoline at first..despite the speech bubble..as a fence-sitter I would imagine the greatest gift any faith can give you is the ability to have the occasional harmless giggle about things..Jae
ReplyDeleteBoing, LOL = LOFL!!!! Wow. I needed that!
ReplyDeleteMIL does not equal LOL. :/