A point about the Satire of Charlie Hebdo lost on Americans

[MohRokTah]

This goes back to the French Revolution.

When the Aristocracy was overthrown, the revolutionaries were also pissed at the Roman Church because the church propped up the Aristocracy for centuries. In fact, one of the goals of the revolution became the overthrow of Christianity itself to be replaced by the cult of reason.

So political sacrilege towards ANYTHING religious has a long history in France.

[RobertEarl]

1. Crazy people + guns

Equals innocents dead. That's all you need to know.

[MANative]

2. It does indeed, and this (French heritage) former Catholic would like...

nothing more than all organized religion to be completely abolished. I've been convinced for better than thirty years that it is, in fact, the actual root of all evil. Faith is something else entirely, if one chooses to believe in a higher power. The lampooning is well-deserved, no matter what religion you can name.

[brer cat]

10. Wow. I don't know ALL organized religions well enough

to declare them ALL the root of ALL evil, but perhaps I haven't studied as hard as you have. I have a particular fondness for UU, but I guess their talk about equality, compassion, peace, liberty, and justice is just a front to hide ALL that evil. Guess I better start lampooning them...I think I will start where they encourage acceptance of one another.

[flamingdem]

3. Long live reason!

[tabasco]

4. Yes, all Americans are ignorant of French history.

Good point!

[Coventina]

7. Not all, but many if not most are.

Sadly, many are unaware of the role the French played in winning independence for the United States.

[nilesobek]

5. Rec

Napoleon easily managed to remove the Pope. France does have a long history of sacrilege, to their credit.

[MohRokTah]

6. And it's a point lost on most.

Many here would understand, but DU is exceptional in how well informed its membership can be.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

8. You just gave me the biggest laugh I've had all day.

Did you actually mean that?

[MohRokTah]

9. Go look at the wingnut sites

Nobody there would understand the historical context of the political sacrilege evident through French culture.

[riderinthestorm]

12. Unfortunately there's a lot of DU ignorance about French history with religion

And their fierce devotion to secularism.

Just had a go around this afternoon here...

[riderinthestorm]

11. The French law banning religious symbols has enormous widespread support

Including the Muslim population who see it as a bulwark against extremism.

K&R!