Q: Anger over a depiction of the Muslim prophet Muhammad has turned into protests after a Danish cartoon's depiction of the prophet. How do you feel about depictions of deities in Western media, and the media's right to present them? Is there a line to be drawn when it comes to depictions of deities?
A: The anger demonstrated over the cartoon does seem out of proportion for us. After all, we live in a society where the sacred no longer exists. Everything is up for grabs, including deities and of course, life itself.
The concept of free speech guarantees a public critique of government. It has a place within free society and certainly in ours. Editorial criticism is the foundation of progress. Cartoonist Thomas Nast brought down Boss Tweed and Tammy Hall with witty caricatures. Tragically, we shelter filth and profanity under the same free speech guarantees and expect it to all come out clean in the wash, but it doesn't.
These Muslims are saying that the sacred should remain untouchable. When publishers and media owners are more interested in shock and disrespect, it is the right of the consumer to boycott and protest. The rioting is that protest taken to an extreme. Of course, it would be nice if they were consistent in their protest - say when a person is beheaded or terrorized - to protest the disrespect of human life. But it's always easier to love a god that we don't see rather than the brothers and sisters we do see.
As tempers flare up, we need to keep focused to a few inescapable realities; namely, we live on this planet together. The survival of our species depends on our ability to live together. Sure we're free to write, say, or draw anything, but that doesn't make it right, especially when there is disrespect for another person's beliefs.
Approach one another with love and respect and see if the world can be a better place.
FR. VAZKEN MOVSESIAN
Armenian Church Youth
Ministries
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