Quote:You know I was thinking about this thread yesterday (maybe a sign I spend to much time on this board) but the premise of this thread really bothers me, the blame should be shared by the event organizers for irresponsibly using their free speech to offend Muslims. But where was the outcry of irresponsibility when the cross was covered in human feces and called art, or when the cross with Jesus on it was soaked in urine.

 

There's countless expressions of art where Christianity is outright insulted, yet you don't see militant Christians shooting up these events. And if they ever did I doubt we'd see the same people calling for sensible use of free speech you can't expect Christians to take that kind of insult lying down!

The outcry of irresponsibility wasn't there because there was no recent history of Christians killing people over artwork they found offense.  Which exhibits the problem with placing the blame on the people holding the contest.  It tells people that if you want to stop something, all you have to do is kill a few people.  It says "If you commit violence, we'll listen" which is the wrong message to send.  


The fact is the contest in this situation had appropriate security (judging by the fact that the two shooters lost their lives in an act I think of as Darwinism in action).  Were they deliberately provoking radical muslims? Maybe.  But you'll find that most groups when provoked, don't go kill people.  I think it's a reasonable expectation not to be killed for provoking people by doing something they don't agree with.  


 

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