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Originally Posted by dr wadd
Or if it is necessary to protest against what a flag represents or has come to represent, and yes, it will be directed against those who respect the flag, as if it has come to a situation where flag burning is mandated then those, by definition, are your opponents.
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This line of argument reminded me of the images that surrounded what I think was the first major clash of cultures involving Muslims in recent times - namely when we had to witness the burning of books, flags and effigys - I refer to the storm caused by 'Satanic Verses'.
Now in how far indeed the book was an affront to Muslims I don't know, but I can't think of anything anyone could write or say about the Bible that would justify a call for their murder.
In case anyone is unsure what I'm referring to:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/d...00/2542873.stm
I recall at the time being highly incensed by the rethoric of the Muslims and very much angered by their unfettered displays of hatred. It really seemed as if all reason had left them, because their (re)actions were quite alien to British society at the time - and in many ways they still are.
We might have seen it a few more times since then, but I don't think we've lost that feeling of disgust at such apparently mindless violence.
I think if someone had
reasoned the issue at the time we might all have reacted a little more sympathetically. As it was, it was just about impossible not to come down on the side of 'free speech'.
There is a message in that to all extremists - we're more likely to listen and hear you if you don't shout so much...
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Originally Posted by Matt D
How is burning a copy of the Koran like burning a flag?
Wouldn't burning a copy of the Koran be more like burning a Bible or other holy book, rather than simply a flag?
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It's about what is going to get someone's goat.
Since the person on the other side is arguing that flags have no meaning, and there is an assumption that they probably hold a pro-islamic viewpoint, then clearly suggesting the burning of a copy of the Koran is deemed similarly offensive as was the notion of the burning of the flag.
I mean, how upset would you get over someone burning a copy of the Bible? When there is a copy in just about every hotel room (even in Islamic countries?) in the world, and you can buy a copy in every book shop in every town, there's no need to get seriously upset, is there?
I can rationalise that the burning of a single copy in no way affects the message (acceptable packet loss rate
) and since a Christian doesn't worship the Bible, but rather God, then no real harm done.
That's not to say we wouldn't consider it an insult, but I don't think many of us (even ardent bible bashers) would actually kill because of it.
But we feel quite sure that's not how the other side feels. So we use what we think will tug at those same strings in them.
It's 'funny' really - we're talking about respecting a national flag and end up talking about how we might insult a specific religious group. Way off at different tangents.
I'd be interested to know if a Muslim really has no feelings towards their national flag. Because that would suggest that they aren't interested in any national identity either. But since this is clearly not the case (if the 'insurgent' voices in Iraq are to be believed) then this disrespect for a flag is not a question of faith, or probably even culture, but rather more likely a lack of both.
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