When I was in high school, I recall that I was ever eager to get into a good debate over a variety of topics, including religion and politics. That urge has not only left but has run away screaming. The problem I have is that even if I have an opinion on an issue, I don't like to be associated with either side of the debate because the people participating are basically just jerks who don't bother to investigate the opposing viewpoint. Debate is supposed to contain some knowledge of your opponent's viewpoint so you can counter it. Now most of what I see is ignorant name-calling from people who don't seem to understand their own side of the debate, let alone the one their railing against. Intellect has long since left the arena.
A good example is the current situation with Charlie Hebdo. Here is a group of cartoonists who were killed by Islamic zealots and are now being held up as martyrs. But I can't take either side of this. Why? Because although I am very against militant terrorism, and view these terrorists as cowards who are going to burn in hell, I feel like the Charlie Hebdo-ites are reacting blindly. Firstly, I see no reason Islamic leaders need to apologize for the acts of a crazy few. I also don't think President Clinton needs to apologize for the Columbine shooting because he's a white male, even though he was President when it happened doesn't make sense to me.
But the other thing is that I have looked at some of Hebdo's work. Great, freedom of speech and making fun of religion and all that. But they was kind of an arse. I mean, they didn't just mock Islam but other groups as well, and in a way that seems more mean-spirited than funny. They're kind of like a school bully, and then one day one of the dads of a kid he picked on came to school and killed him. Sure, the dad shouldn't have killed him. But he was still a bully, and not a hero. So I don't want to take part in those whole 'I am Charlie' campaign. Sure, he used his freedom of speech and all that. But you know what-there are many people out there who use there freedom of speech in a way that is not mean-spirited.
Anyway I'm not alone in this. Here is a link to another article approaching this issue:
http://www.thetakeaway.org/story/charlie-hebdo-freedom-speech-or-excuse-bullyy/
So I hope you all realize I am not condoning the attack. Not by a long shot. I'm just saying that I can't get on board praising an individual who didn't seem to care at all about other people's sensitivities.
A good example is the current situation with Charlie Hebdo. Here is a group of cartoonists who were killed by Islamic zealots and are now being held up as martyrs. But I can't take either side of this. Why? Because although I am very against militant terrorism, and view these terrorists as cowards who are going to burn in hell, I feel like the Charlie Hebdo-ites are reacting blindly. Firstly, I see no reason Islamic leaders need to apologize for the acts of a crazy few. I also don't think President Clinton needs to apologize for the Columbine shooting because he's a white male, even though he was President when it happened doesn't make sense to me.
But the other thing is that I have looked at some of Hebdo's work. Great, freedom of speech and making fun of religion and all that. But they was kind of an arse. I mean, they didn't just mock Islam but other groups as well, and in a way that seems more mean-spirited than funny. They're kind of like a school bully, and then one day one of the dads of a kid he picked on came to school and killed him. Sure, the dad shouldn't have killed him. But he was still a bully, and not a hero. So I don't want to take part in those whole 'I am Charlie' campaign. Sure, he used his freedom of speech and all that. But you know what-there are many people out there who use there freedom of speech in a way that is not mean-spirited.
Anyway I'm not alone in this. Here is a link to another article approaching this issue:
http://www.thetakeaway.org/story/charlie-hebdo-freedom-speech-or-excuse-bullyy/
So I hope you all realize I am not condoning the attack. Not by a long shot. I'm just saying that I can't get on board praising an individual who didn't seem to care at all about other people's sensitivities.
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