Freedom Of Expression Versus Respect For Religion

Regardless of one's religious affliliation, virtually everyone in the democratic west has individual liberty, political and religious freedoms. These are among their most cherished heritages .

In Denmark, a small town newspaper has drawn cartoons of the muslim prophet.The majority of the 5 million Danes are lutherian christians while a small minority are muslims. Other Eurpoean countries have reprinted these cartoons and there is a huge outrage among the muslims, affecting diplomatic relations with some muslim countries, boycott of Danish goods while others are protesting with fury.

If individuals are to live in peace and harmony, freedom of expression should not be used as an excuse to degrade any religion. It serves no other purpose other than to provoke ill-feelings and incite hatred. When the French jumped on to this bandwagon reprinting these insulting cartoons, it is worth to remember the famous philosopher Voltaire. In the 18th Century, his advocacy of freedom of speech and religion, along with attacks on the Church and the French nobility, resulted in two prison terms in the Bastille and years of exile from France. So there was a huge furore then and I wonder if anything was learnt from that experience.

In a free world, you do require a free press. But the press does carry a social responsibilty. From time to time we should look at ourselves objectively and ask, "Should we do something because we can do it or should we do it because it is right to do so?" If you choose the former, then there are unacceptable consequences. When action is taken on the latter, it can enrich our lives and help us to live in peace and harmony.