Hyperides
02-15-2006, 10:03 AM
The Danger of Intolerance to Western Society
The government of the United States of America is founded on a few simple and honorable principles. As Americans, we hold our freedom most dearly. Our foremost liberties, which allow our independence, include the rights to free speech and free expression. Enforced by law, these have been fundamental to our society's formidable progress in the world.
Mankind has suffered extensively throughout history because undemocratic regimes have refused to provide their citizens with basic freedoms. Civil war, economic crisis, and terrorism are only a few horrors forced upon us by disregard for humanity. These disasters inflame each other, and frequently require the intervention of a more responsible power. In recent years, this role has fallen to America.
We have served patiently and conscientiously, but now are again faced with obstacles of violence and oppression. Riots throughout the Islamic world threaten the most central and sacred values of humanity. Non-Muslims have died at the merciless hands of maddened "protesters" for mere association with governments that condone free expression. "Protest" is too kind a word for such senseless brutality; it suggests a decent cause. Bigoted Muslim "protesters" are murdering free and innocent people because they dislike cartoons in a foreign newspaper. Where is the sense? Where is the justice?
As mature and tolerant citizens of the Western world, we may happily allow Islam to regulate itself as a distinct and autonomous institution. We may observe its ban on graven images and treat the religion with respect. But we may not allow fundamentalist Muslims to dictate the expression of opinions in the free world. A response of murder to a simple cartoon is simply unconscionable. It is barbaric, and shows the world the damage borne of rampant intolerance.
The West exercises tolerance and courtesy, but absolutely cannot attempt to please everyone. To do so would be to destroy freedom of expression, in effect if not in name. No matter what opinion a person expresses, there will be someone who disagrees, perhaps violently. We therefore hope and expect that our opinions and manners of expression will be honored in the same way we tolerate others'.
When freedoms of expression and the press are denied, democracy deteriorates into the tyrannical excuse for government that prevails in Islamic states. With no allowance for criticism—or even disagreement—absolute law is defined by whatever radical sentiments seize power. The inevitable consequence is chaos and death.
Hyperides
The government of the United States of America is founded on a few simple and honorable principles. As Americans, we hold our freedom most dearly. Our foremost liberties, which allow our independence, include the rights to free speech and free expression. Enforced by law, these have been fundamental to our society's formidable progress in the world.
Mankind has suffered extensively throughout history because undemocratic regimes have refused to provide their citizens with basic freedoms. Civil war, economic crisis, and terrorism are only a few horrors forced upon us by disregard for humanity. These disasters inflame each other, and frequently require the intervention of a more responsible power. In recent years, this role has fallen to America.
We have served patiently and conscientiously, but now are again faced with obstacles of violence and oppression. Riots throughout the Islamic world threaten the most central and sacred values of humanity. Non-Muslims have died at the merciless hands of maddened "protesters" for mere association with governments that condone free expression. "Protest" is too kind a word for such senseless brutality; it suggests a decent cause. Bigoted Muslim "protesters" are murdering free and innocent people because they dislike cartoons in a foreign newspaper. Where is the sense? Where is the justice?
As mature and tolerant citizens of the Western world, we may happily allow Islam to regulate itself as a distinct and autonomous institution. We may observe its ban on graven images and treat the religion with respect. But we may not allow fundamentalist Muslims to dictate the expression of opinions in the free world. A response of murder to a simple cartoon is simply unconscionable. It is barbaric, and shows the world the damage borne of rampant intolerance.
The West exercises tolerance and courtesy, but absolutely cannot attempt to please everyone. To do so would be to destroy freedom of expression, in effect if not in name. No matter what opinion a person expresses, there will be someone who disagrees, perhaps violently. We therefore hope and expect that our opinions and manners of expression will be honored in the same way we tolerate others'.
When freedoms of expression and the press are denied, democracy deteriorates into the tyrannical excuse for government that prevails in Islamic states. With no allowance for criticism—or even disagreement—absolute law is defined by whatever radical sentiments seize power. The inevitable consequence is chaos and death.
Hyperides