Today, Everybody Draw Mohammed Day
Today, the 20th of May 2010, is Everybody Draw Mohammed Day. My drawing skills are terrible, so I decided to upload an old picture I photoshopped during the Danish cartoon riots. So, is this offensive? Perhaps. Blasphemous? Arguably so. A worthy cause for violence? Never!
People might argue that you should show respect for someone else’s beliefs, but that respect has its limits. Yes, I understand that if I would walk into a Mosque I would have to take my shoes off or that I should not disrupt a church service… things by which I would otherwise prevent people from exercising their freedom of religion. But in the public domain, I should not have to respect inane beliefs based upon century old superstitions. Through the ages, societies progressed because people pushed the religious envelope in place to contain those who do not share the most extreme, fundamentalistic beliefs, within the folds of dogma. Spinoza, Erasmus, Samuel Clemens and others we remember as either great thinkers and/or satirists; they were all considered blasphemers by others.
Satire is a tool of criticism that any modern, civilised society should freely apply to question strongly held beliefs. Yes, I understand that some might feel that showing Mohammed carrying a case of delicious and haram beer is offensive, but there are others who already find it offensive to question the morality of the religious (the Catholic church harbouring child molesters, etc.) or if you don’t adhere to their rituals, too (Muslims being angry because I eat during Ramadan, etc.). Someone will always be offended. A world where we do not offend anyone will stagnate, and will never progress to be more humane and inclusive of all, as individuals.
Incidentally, I stumbled upon the original print of Mohammed on a website displaying multiple depictions of the Islamic prophet, some of which (including this one) made by Muslims in Islamic countries. So not only am I saying “I’m not a Muslim so these edicts don’t apply to me” and “maybe Mohammed could use a nice cool beer to relax a little” (i.e. alcohol abstinence or any other restriction based solely on religious grounds is just insane), I am also pointing out the hypocrisy behind the cartoon riots!
To the people who initiated this all but tried to rescind Everybody Draw Mohammed Day: fuck you! Of course people will be offended. People are always offended! You have given in to the same fear and asinine, unwarranted “respectfulness” (read: compliance) that you initially protested against.