South Park censors show after threat

[jon@af]

Let me start out by saying that I usually don't pay any mind to the things that play out on television. More often than not, you get someone on live TV or on a talk show that does/says something leading to a nice, long soak in hot water.

However, recently South Park came under fire for their usage and portrayal of the Muslim Prophet Muhammad in one of their shows.

The biggest part of this is, once it ran, a Muslim group basically threatened the creators of the show citing another individual who had been murdered for similar actions as an example.

Therefore, Matt Stone and Trey Parker decided to censor the episode for any future airings.

Here Is the Recent Story

Now comes the question: Is anyone else a little bothered by the fact that an American show that is protected by the freedom of speech is being threatened with violence by a religious group? I understand the Muslim faith considers the mockery of Muhammad as punishable by death, but neither of the creators is a Muslim, nor do we live in the Middle East.

Furthermore, I would think that any aggressive and far more than empty threats would be treated as means for investigation. Why should the creators be pressured into changing their show because of a threat of violence? And why isn't the group issuing the threat being looked into?

Lets be honest, South Park is one of the most crass and unapologetic shows on the planet. They use mockery and sarcasm to deliver their satirical content and use very brazen - but smart - content to provide social commentary on current events. They did it to the Scientologists, they did it to the Mormons and they mock Christianity all the time. Yet, the religion of peace is the one to threaten with violence.

I'm usually pretty open minded, but I am a strong advocate of the First Amendment. I think Stone and Parker should be able to run their show the way they want and say to hell with the Muslims who would threaten violence.

[MagicRat]

There are a couple of AF members here who have demonstrated themselves to be rabidly anti-muslim. Hopefully, I can add some balanced commentary before they bomb this thread with their outrageously biased attitudes.

I would agree that no religion has the right to restrict free expression of any kind. But Islam, Christianity and Judiasm have a fine tradiotion of using influence, intimidation and blackmail to get their way. Christian churches still do this, but often in a more subtle way. They restrict the freedoms of individuals. They lobby and bully other groups through product boycotts, promotion of certain political candidates and agendas etc. They even have the power to excommunicate and/or weild the punishment of damnation and heavenly reward to press their point.

And yes, there are many secular organizations who seek to restrict free speech too, whether it is in guise of national security or political correctness. So imo the issue is not just Islam, but it is the fight to maintain free speech in the face of opposition, regardless of the source.

[jon@af]

I hope I don't seem anti-Muslim with my comments, as that is not the point of what I wrote.

Also, knowing Stone and Parker, they are likely using the censorship bars in the show as a means to sarcastically attack the complainers. However, the fact remains that they shouldn't have had to in the first place.

[MagicRat]

Please note my initial reply above was incomplete when you replied Here is the complete comment.

Originally Posted by MagicRat

There are a couple of AF members here who have demonstrated themselves to be rabidly anti-muslim. Hopefully, I can add some balanced commentary before they bomb this thread with their outrageously biased attitudes.

I would agree that no religion has the right to restrict free expression of any kind. But Islam, Christianity and Judiasm have a fine tradiotion of using influence, intimidation and blackmail to get their way. Christian churches still do this, but often in a more subtle way. They restrict the freedoms of individuals. They lobby and bully other groups through product boycotts, promotion of certain political candidates and agendas etc. They even have the power to excommunicate and/or weild the punishment of damnation and heavenly reward to press their point.

And yes, there are many secular organizations who seek to restrict free speech too, whether it is in guise of national security or political correctness. So imo the issue is not just Islam, but it is the fight to maintain free speech in the face of opposition, regardless of the source.

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by J_Swigz

Now comes the question: Is anyone else a little bothered by the fact that an American show that is protected by the freedom of speech is being threatened with violence by a religious group? I understand the Muslim faith considers the mockery of Muhammad as punishable by death, but neither of the creators is a Muslim, nor do we live in the Middle East.

Furthermore, I would think that any aggressive and far more than empty threats would be treated as means for investigation. Why should the creators be pressured into changing their show because of a threat of violence? And why isn't the group issuing the threat being looked into?

Originally Posted by MagicRat

So imo the issue is not just Islam, but it is the fight to maintain free speech in the face of opposition, regardless of the source.

In America, (which was once proclaimed as a Christian Nation) we have had many atheist who mocked God; however, I don't recall any Christian doctrine which proclaimed their belief as "punishable by death". BTW, now that Islam is part of our culture, our "free speech" no longer exist!

[jon@af]

Originally Posted by HotZ28

In America, (which was once proclaimed as a Christian Nation) we have had many atheist who mocked God; however, I don't recall any Christian doctrine which proclaimed their belief as "punishable by death". BTW, now that Islam is part of our culture, our "free speech" no longer exist!

This is also in response to Rat (I'm just to lazy to quote two people :-P): I understand there is often a lot of pressure from many of the different religions, and many times they get their way. It's one of the most irritating things about religious freedom to me: You don't have to believe what we do, but if you talk wrong about us, we're gonna getcha!

And just because we have so many religions as part of our culture, doesn't mean it should be getting in the way of our basic freedoms. If this turns out to be real and they do this again next week for the second part of the episode, it sets a dangerous precedent that it's not ok to voice an opinion.

[tenguzero]

Others have voiced it already -- part of the thing that gets under people's skin about Islam more so than other religions, is the fact that it has an unusually large percentage of extremist groups, many of which are VERY vocal and don't hesitate to make death threats (and carry through with them.) Westboro Baptist is a pretty hateful group of extremists who don't hesitate to proclaim all sorts of death and damnation on their "enemies", but let's put a scenario out there -- a gay man holding another man's hand and carrying an effigy of Muhammad walks out of his house with Westboro Baptist on one side of him and Revolution Muslim on the other. Now picture yourself as this man -- who would you fear more?

The other thing that really pisses me off about Islam, is it's followers. If they're so passionate about the power of their faith, why aren't there large groups of them out there vocally protesting this stuff and admonishing their more extremist members? Let's face it -- Islam has itself a huge PR problem right now, but few of it's members seem to care to do anything outside of some half-assed whining that "extremists are only a small minority and the majority of muslims are peaceful yada yada yada..."

The worst part of all this is the media, who are (for some reason) completely in bed with this whole let-Islam-run-amok-and-do-nothing-about-it thing. Apparently for Comedy Central, it's open season on any other religion/cult/group of people -- as long as it isn't Islam. Instead it's all about some sort of sensitivity BS with these networks. Show some downtrodden-looking middle eastern guy pulling a donkey and cart through a dusty street, queue the Mosque prayer soundtrack, and woe the plight of Muslims around the world.

Boohoo.

[HotZ28]

One public figure who is not afraid of repercussions, while speaking his mind about how Muslims are "enslaved" by their religion.

Evangelist Franklin Graham said Thursday that he regrets the Army's decision to rescind its invitation to him for the Pentagon's National Day of Prayer service on May 6, but expressed "strong support" for the U.S. military.

Source

[thegladhatter]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

I would agree that no religion has the right to restrict free expression of any kind. But Islam, Christianity and Judiasm have a fine tradiotion of using influence, intimidation and blackmail to get their way. Christian churches still do this, but often in a more subtle way. They restrict the freedoms of individuals. They lobby and bully other groups through product boycotts, promotion of certain political candidates and agendas etc. They even have the power to excommunicate and/or weild the punishment of damnation and heavenly reward to press their point.

NONE do it to the extent the muslims do. This is an absurd statement!

[thegladhatter]

http://hotair.com/archives/2010/04/2...-for-may-20th/

[HotZ28]

Well, the beat goes on! Who really cares what they do in Somalia; however, this is another attempt by the Islamic Radicals to control individual freedom in the name of their religion!

Somalia Radicals Declare Music 'Un-Islamic,' and Radio Goes Tuneless

Source

[HotZ28]

Faisal Shahzad

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by thegladhatter

NONE do it to the extent the muslims do. This is an absurd statement!

Why is it absurd???
If you anything about western history, you would know western civilization has struggled to place reasonable restrictions on the influence of religions.... your own US constitution is a good example........
But many middle-eastern nations have no such tradition or struggles, so religion still runs rampant over the rights of others.

Christianity would still control our civilization, if we let it, and to that end, is no better than Islam.
The reason why we have such freedoms has nothing to to with christianity, but is related ot a very complex series of historical events combined with secular philosophies.

Originally Posted by HotZ28

Well, the beat goes on! Who really cares what they do in Somalia; however, this is another attempt by the Islamic Radicals to control individual freedom in the name of their religion!

My first thought is...... they have radio stations in Somalia???

The break-away region of Somaliland seems to be organizing and reconstructing itself as best it can, but the remainder of Somalia is mostly anarchy. But we should care about such places. Stable governments, even dictatorships are preferable to anarchy and warlords, because they are more predictable and easier to deal with.

[HotZ28]

British seamen’s union Nautilus, wants the Government to review its policy on piracy.
Nautilus spokesman Andrew Linington said: “We are talking about sophisticated, organized, violent gangs, who jeopardize the lives of seafarers.
“The number of attacks and the level of violence are increasing.
"Sooner or later, there will be a major incident in the region.”
One notorious gang with terror links calls itself the “Somalia Coastguard”.
Mr Linington said: “Intelligence indicates gangs like the Somalia Coastguard have links to al-Qaeda.
"Unless there is action against these thugs, it amounts to a green light for a terrorist outrage.”

Source

[03cavPA]

Originally Posted by J_Swigz

I'm usually pretty open minded, but I am a strong advocate of the First Amendment. I think Stone and Parker should be able to run their show the way they want and say to hell with the Muslims who would threaten violence.

Agree X eleventy hundred. LOL

It's a damn cartoon. Those guys make fun of God and Jesus and everything else. It's Islam's turn. They should just STFU already.

The best way not to be offended is not to watch it.