Fundamentally Flawed

A few days ago a couple of Muslim religious fundamentalists attacked the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. The actions of those two idiots caused the death of 12 people. Why did they attack? They were offended because the magazine had published cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad. The shooters felt they were avenging the insult of the prophet Muhammad. So one could reasonably ask, where in the Qur'an does it forbid depictions of Muhammad? Well, it doesn't. There is no verse that forbids that action. Many historical rulers in India, Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and Central Asia have commissioned artists to paint pictures telling the story of Muhammad's life complete with pictures of him. The condemnation comes from the hadith, collections of the teachings, actions and sayings of Muhammad that many Muslims use as a guide for Islamic life. Modern Sunni Muslims, the largest single branch of Islam are sympathetic to this belief. Shia Muslims are less troubled by this and in Iran the marketplaces have depictions of Muhammad for sale. Does the belief of Muslims who think the depiction of Muhammad is wrong require the response to be violent? The answer is no. Many Muslim groups have spoken out against the killings in Paris. The actions of the two killers have been condemned by as not representative of Islam.

The killers may have used Islam as a rationale for their actions. It was an act of terrorism not an act of religious fundamentalism. There are unfortunately many in the United States who will blame all Muslims for the act of a couple of idiots with guns. The same folks most likely would find it unfair and prejudicial to call into question the Christian religion based on the actions of Westboro Baptist Church or many of the white supremacist groups who wrap themselves in the mantle of Jesus. Fundamental religious beliefs of any kind seem to be a form of insanity. There are those, in spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, who believe the world is only 6,000 years old. They deny evolution. They deny man made climate change. The good news, at least for now, is that they are not killing folks who believe otherwise. They two men who murdered 12 in Paris wanted to die as martyrs. Today the police in France obliged them. They did not die as martyrs but they did die. If you look back at this you will note at no time did I mention them by name. It was intentional. There are two names I want to mention. They are Franck Brinsolaro and Ahmed Merabet. Who are they? They are the two police officers gunned down in the attack. Ahmed Merabet was a Muslim. He was the officer who was begging for his life to be spared. The gunmen killed one of the fellow believers. Another follower of Muhammad. Ahmed may have been offended by the cartoons published by Charlie Hebdo. I don't know and I'm not sure anyone does. He may not have agreed with the magazine publisher's free speech but he gave his life defending their right of free speech. If there is someone to be honored for their actions in this tragic affair for me it is Ahmed Merabet.

"I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."
Voltaire