Pakistan Bans Facebook Over "Everybody Draw Mohammed Day"

[Klarinette]

lol @ Pakistan, south park has drawn jesus and other religious figures without any christians or other people complaining.

Not true - Trey and Matt have had their lives threatened over their Mohammed stuff, actually. There was a whole thing on CNN about it not too long ago, actually (why the Hell I was watching CNN to begin with, I don't know).

 

[randomic]

Good on Iran I say.
Freedom of speech is fine but this is basically hate mongering. Most of the people who support the page are probably underestimating the religious significance of not depicting mohammad.

It's the same as "piss on a crucifix day"
or "burn a wooden buddha day"

Whoever set up this page is just a troll, except rather than trolling a forum they're doing so to an entire religion. Muslim extremists are called extremists for a reason, they don't represent the majority. But actions like this will probably upset the majority and give the extremists more cause to be upset.


Freedom of speech only goes so far.

Agreed, although I can believe that the creators of the page genuinely believe they're fighting for freedom of speech. Such is the general ignorance of today. I cannot count the number of people who've accused Mohammed of paedophilia on the aforementioned facebook group. I wouldn't have such a problem with it if it was a conclusion they'd rationally come to after considering all options but at the end of the day they just heard it from someone who heard it from someone else...
All in all, it's all due to ignorance. People always assume that their way is the only way.

Oh, and if people are looking for some perspective. The group is analogous to "Draw a pornographic picture of your sister day". Yes, it really is that sort of level.


EDIT: I said "at the end of the day" twice, I hate repeating myself.

 

[Notsomuch]

I am unsure why you limit the extent of your argument to the members of one particular faith. Of course people are not forced to look at things which they are offended by but the fact is that people like to be noticed; people like to take sides. You were not forced to read the article nor to have your say but you did anyway because you want to show your support. You can't really criticise people with opposing opinions for doing the same.
In my opinion it was irresponsible of the creators of the page to create the page. It is completely wrong for a person to send death threats to anyone (whatever the reason) and we need to stand up against people who act as though it is acceptable. However, we have to respect the fact that the majority of people who will be offended by pictorial representations of a religions figure do not send death threats. It has to be made clear what we are standing against. People shouldn't pretend that they're fighting for free speech when really what we should be doing is fighting against human beings who believe that causing harm, or threatening to cause harm, to another human being is not wrong. I hope you see the distinction I have made.

So you believe that specific rules within a religious dogma should be adhered to by those not of the religion? I'm aware that Muslims in certain parts of the world may become offended if women are not under veil. Should those laws be respected as well? Muslims that are offended by the depiction of Muhammad are basically becoming offended because certain people outside of their religion do not follow their religious dogma and it seems that the only way to stop offending those of the Muslim faith is to become Muslim.

 

[Soxafloppin]

Its brilliant not be offended at anything!

It seems to restrict your life somewhat when your THIS uptight about things.

 

[Agayek]

Well, the page is ignorant and retarded and personally, I think it should be removed. Idiots should not be tolerated.

Except what happens when someone thinks your page is ignorant and retarded? Should we then close down yours?

 

[randomic]

So you believe that specific rules within a religious dogma should be adhered to by those not of the religion? I'm aware that Muslims in certain parts of the world may become offended if women are not under veil. Should those laws be respected as well? Muslims that are offended by the depiction of Muhammad are basically becoming offended because certain people outside of their religion do not follow their religious dogma and it seems that the only way to stop offending those of the Muslim faith is to become Muslim.

I believe that just because you think something is wrong doesn't make it so. Your argument is completely reflexive. You're offended by the fact women are forced to wear a veil, ergo it is wrong. You're also implying that they only way you'd be happy would be if they believed the same things as you did. You're lacking the perspective of just how offensive it is for a Muslim to see Mohammed depicted. Be a little more open minded, it doesn't matter specifically why someone is offended. Don't tar all Muslims with the same brush.

 

[Cypher10110]

It is very odd that they decided on two different courses for the same problem IMO, or am I missing some significant differences.

I would imagine that the reason they took such different paths was that the guy who runs relations with the censorship board in India is a different guy than the one who runs it in Pakistan, and that this solution was probably not reached entirely by Facebook, but was instead dictated to them by the governments in question.

Pakistan: take down this page or your not allowed in this country
FB: How about we just block access to that sight for your country, that way you still get access to nearly the entire sights use.
Pakistan: take it down or we won't let you in the country.
FB: WE can't do that, so I guess you'll have to take us down in Pakistan.

India: This page is causing so friction with a very violent fringe group of Muslims in our country, can you block this page from access over here.
FB: Yeah sure, let me just put up the right firewall... and, done. Any other problems?
India: No that is all. Thank you.

I agree with your perspective on the situation and reading your post put a smile on my face. thanks dude

 

[ucciolord1]

Well, ya' know, Facebook is evil.

It's pretty clear, though, that Facebook is in the right. While they may only talk the talk, it's inexcusable to restrict free speech in any way, especially in my home: the interwebz.

 

[ZephrC]

Okay, you know what? I would never draw Muhammad normally. It's disrespectful. However that's a personal decision I made because I'm not an asshole. Trying to enforce that with death threats or banning websites shows a complete lack of respect for me and my freedom. Respect is a two way street. If you want mine, you damn well better give me yours.

Also, everybody draw Muhammad day isn't only about protest. A large part of it is also simply about safety in numbers. After all, if we all draw Muhammad they can't very well kill us all, can they?

Really, the whole reason this whole thing happened is because of a few stupid extremists. If it weren't for those lunatics none of these people would have drawn Muhammad, would they? Yet instead of blaming the cause, places like Pakistan are blaming people who stood up against the wackos.

Not that the western world has much room to talk, especially here in America where erosion of freedoms is getting scarily commonplace. Yet here we are protesting stuff happening halfway across the world while we aren't really much better. That's hypocrisy, not Facebook making a practical business decision.

 

[automatron]

As one of those 115,000 fans who actually drew a picture of Mohammed, I say bring it on Pakistan and you other bitchy muslims. Here in the western world, and America especially, we have Freedom of Speach and Expression. Now, unless my expression causes you PHYSICAL HARM, you can ***** all you want but I don't have to do shit to accomodate you. Go ahead and threaten death, I support the rights of any person to say what they want to whomever they want. However, if you act on it, as you crazy extremist muslims tend to do, well then you are commiting an actual crime against an actual person, not a mythic figure that can take care of himself. And that is a big no no, which means you are going to burn in hell, if it actually exists.

This, except I don't agree AS strongly

 

[randomic]

@ZephrC
Well rounded good point and well put across.

 

[garlicncow]

I saw it and said "wow can people not just respect another way of life and move the fuck on?" and then I ate some food because I was hungry.

 

[Kyuubi Fanatic]

Well, the page is ignorant and retarded and personally, I think it should be removed. Idiots should not be tolerated.

Like yourself you mean? This great country is founded on freedom of speech, and I for one applaud those willing to speak out against those damn extremist, especially thru art.

I think I'll draw the "Mona Mohammed".

 

[Kie]

I find both sides of this argument annoying. While in my Faith we Venerate the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) any Respectable Muslim, Baha'i, Or any Honorable man would not support the Lynching of People on such Grounds.

While the radicals certainly do give every Honest Believer a bad name, the Reactionary Bloggers are also rather Embarrassing. Honestly, Who will drawing Muhammad Help? What on earth is the Point? In my mind, freedom of speech goes to far when we reduce it to simple contest to see just how much you can anger People. Our freedom was Created to avoid oppressive governments by giving All the right to speak their reasonable complaints against the way in which things are run. We, in the Modern age, take this Freedom for granted and forget that with our rights comes the responsibility to not abuse them for merely making a scene.

This, this and this. Although I'm not a religious believer and am atheist I still believe that while this protest is going under the name of "Expressing freedom of speech", and some may very well believe this, a majority of it seems to me to be just simple trolling and trying to provoke a reaction. People claim it's against Extremism but is it okay to insult most Muslims by doing this and then just saying "Oh it's okay, even though it's against some of your holy law we were aiming it at the extremists so it's fine! Besides you don't have to look at it at all!". I dunno, it just feels like it's people trying to justify trolling an entire religion because it's currently the mainstream "terrorist" religion using freedom of speech as an excuse.

 

[Numb1lp]

Well he is a sacred figure. If they want facebook banned then i wont fight it.

You see, this is really just the beginning, though. You should really read Farenheit 451.

 

[Cliff_m85]

The ironic thing is that some people on this site are actually saying that drawing a picture on a site that one must actively seek out is "disrespectful".

It'd be like me taking a shit in my toilet and having someone enter the lavatory and peek in the bowl and complain about how disgusting I am.

Just stay out of my shit and you won't get offended, people.

 

[Terramax]

but I AM saying that the internet makes people 150% more gutsy then they would have been in real life.

Sorry, your point being? People who say they believe in freedom of speech don't really believe in it? Or They're cowards. Or they're wrong. Or they aren't willing to go all the way?

 

[Jumplion]

Well, the page is ignorant and retarded and personally, I think it should be removed. Idiots should not be tolerated.

Well, I think it's a bit more than just a bunch of idiots hootin' around with Mohammed.

I have kept an eye on this situation and it does have it's own worthy cause behind it. If you see some videos from this feller right here [http://www.youtube.com/user/Thunderf00t] (possible NSFW on what he says) then it does make sense why some people are just angry at the extremists like the ones who threatened South Park. (Though this guy does go a bit overboard on some videos)

 

[Notsomuch]

I believe that just because you think something is wrong doesn't make it so. Your argument is completely reflexive. You're offended by the fact women are forced to wear a veil, ergo it is wrong. You're also implying that they only way you'd be happy would be if they believed the same things as you did. You're lacking the perspective of just how offensive it is for a Muslim to see Mohammed depicted. Be a little more open minded, it doesn't matter specifically why someone is offended. Don't tar all Muslims with the same brush.

Very illogical response since I never said that I was offended by any of the things you mentioned and I also never suggested that they should think exactly how I think. Using Veiling women by law, as an example. Muslims can go ahead and not draw their prophet or show depictions of him. They can go ahead and follow whatever laws are in their book. I know how offended they are by the depiction of Muhammad which is why it makes sense for them to not show him. However, that is a Muslim law, not one that should be acknowledged by western society. It doesn't make sense for Muslims enforce their own laws on people who are not Muslim. I'm sorry if there is too much sense being made here. It's not open minded to restrict the expression of someone else because you do not think the same way. Muslims can be as pissed off as they want. The problem is some are pissed off and think they should get their way.

 

[randomic]

The ironic thing is that some people on this site are actually saying that drawing a picture on a site that one must actively seek out is "disrespectful".

It'd be like me taking a shit in my toilet and having someone enter the lavatory and peek in the bowl and complain about how disgusting I am.

Just stay out of my shit and you won't get offended, people.

You don't take a shit in order for people to look at it. A provocative drawing however...