re: #344 Gus 802

I see. The old impending Taqiyya! and Sharia! argument.

There is no risk of Sharia in any Western country. What is at risk is that violent reactions by a minority (even in other countries) will be used as an excuse to enact anti-blasphemy and anti-hate speech laws for the benefit of “social harmony”, which will end up curtailing the ability to criticize religion (Christianity included) and other basic democratic freedoms. It’s not Muslims per se who are a problem.

That’s why the hysteria about this defacement grates so much, because many who defend Serrano wouldn’t have the backbone to insist on free speech and artistic expression where insulting Muslims is concerned. NOT because it’s a “war on Christians”. Freedom to insult all religions should be guaranteed.
re: #344 Gus 802

Methinks you’re overstating the “tippee-toeing” and failing to see the constant and daily mocking of Islam from the USA alone by the like of people like Spence and Geller and groups like SIOA. You also seem to have forgotten about feverish and irrational opposition to the building of Mosques across America. Muslims are slapped in the face daily by these social miscreants and that includes Allah. I don’t see that much outrage because of these acts by the Muslim community in the USA and for the most part other European countries.

I can only observe American politics from a distance. However are Pamela Geller and Spencer really big public figures? I thought she just had a blog.