Just' To Say ..

written on Friday, February 3, 2006 at 22:38

Mohammed vs. The Western World

Lately, I read (and, sometimes, attended) many discussions on discussion boards about the latest conflicts between the western and the islamic civilisation. Of course, that were mostly western boards, so the opinions were kinda stereotypical.

One thing I found very interesting was, that many people were that much offended by islamic reactions, that they went on in their rage, declaring Islam (and sometimes everything non-western) the new arch enemy. Why? Because, at least so they say, the reaction of the islamic world was wrong.

But let's smash those beliefs a bit, okay?

What Has Happened?

Most people in western civilication, trained to consume and not to care about anything, find it ill to get in rage because someone insulted a prophet. No wonder, what strong symbols are left in western civilisation? There aren't really any. And those that are left, are important to minorities, sometimes they're even devalued by majority.

But was the insult of a strong symbol really the start of it all? The west started it's ideological and military crusade against it's ˝enemies˝ long ago, mostly for profit and resources. Lifestyle that's not based on consumation is since long regarded as ˝dumb˝ over here. Then we have the recent wars and many things more like that. The provocation on which this rage is based is much older than the most recent insults. So, one could say, the west ˝challenged˝ the east for a long time.

The West, In Contrast

An argument that comes up very often is, that the western civilisation is much more advanced, and wouldn't act that much angry.

I'd deny that. It wouldn't be that much different if somebody starts comics about Jesus and God fucking little children. Let alone the possibility of attacking the beliefs of jews or bringing up harsh critiques about the european handling of racism and national socialism.

Another factor is, that it wasn't just the paper that published those drawings, that provocated. All over europe people stand behind the agitators, shouting that the islam has to accept the west's right (what?) to insult them.

To continue the funny facts, the governments deny to say the comics were a bad idea, because of the freedom of opinion. First, spreading propaganda is an opinion? Since when? Freedom of press and speech, yes, but opinion? Also, most countries in europe don't even have freedom of opinion or speech. Take Germany for an example and proclaim it's your opinion the holocaust never happened. If you do, good luck, they'd be after you, in some circles (Yes, Antifa, I'm meaning you!) even with violence or public discredit.

(To disclaim: No, I don't think the holocaust hasn't happened, so don't bother starting up your mailclient to send hatemails I'm not going to read anyways.)

˝But they're violent! That's evil! Boohoo!˝

Yes, some are for sure. The west is in a phase where people think they can do what they want, and say what they want, without thinking about it, because no one will harm them. Guess what? Not everyone share's those ˝good and superior intentions.˝ Well, not even the west does, but only on his grounds or when it becomes known. As an example, take Abu Ghraib or other USian ˝black sites.˝

In times before those beliefs, in the rest of the world, and surely in times after them, a right is not based upon defining that you don't want to be hurt, but on might. The western moral system is an agreement (well, a conditioned, indoctrined at least), and it's funny to see that the people here seem surprised, that the rest of the universe doesn't really care about that.

My Personal Opinion

My interests lie more in the reactions of the sides, as in the conflict itself, because, honestly, I mostly don't care about other people's beliefs and faiths. From the western point of view (which, by the way, I recognize as a pretty decadent but empty one) it is understandable that they cannot understand how people can dare to rage out just because the west has an other ideology than the islamic society. On the other side, I can also see why this society is that much raged out. And from where the west stands at the moment, it might have been a bad choice, tactically, to straighten up a spine they don't really have. Even more with the whole ˝cultural respect˝ attitude they're trying to proclaim.

To conclude: It will be interesting to see how this will develop and with whom Darwin will be laughing. So take some popcorn or other snack of choice, and lean back.