Should we brace for future outbreaks of violence provoked by cartoons?

[Boojatta]

Suppose that some high-circulation newspapers were to publish cartoons that depicted Jesus as impolitely or offensively as cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). What might then occur? Keep in mind the following:

1. According to Muslims, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was merely a messenger, but according to many Christians, Jesus was the only begotten Son of God.

2. There are more Christians than Muslims in the world. Even if a small percentage of Christians begin rioting and looting, the total amount of death, injury, and property damage could be considerable.

3. In recent years, many prominent individuals have staked their credibility on the claim that Islam is a religion of peace, but few individuals have stuck their necks out to claim that Christianity is a religion of peace.

[msongs]

1. cartoons provoke nothing. the response is a personal choice nt

[MullenBank]

2. I am so very

fucking tired of these violent superstitious a-holes.

[cosmik debris]

3. Which ones?

Those Christians can be pretty violent, but I'm not sure that's what you meant.

[Occam Bandage]

4. The Christian world does not possess a traditional taboo on depicting Jesus in any regard,

and the Muslim world does not hold as clear a distinction between the religious and secular worlds as the West does. Moreover--and more importantly--the West does not feel nearly as threatened by the march of globalization (and the political, economic, and cultural overhauls it brings with it), as globalization is remaking the world in the West's image.

[Boojatta]

5. "does not hold as clear a distinction between the religious and secular worlds"

When the publication of cartoons provokes riots, are the riots typically secular riots rather than religious riots?

[Occam Bandage]

6. "Are the riots typically secular riots?"

I'm not sure I see there being a meaningful difference. I'd say the religious aspect of the outcry is only a part of the general fear/hatred of encroaching Westernism/globalism.

[Boojatta]

7. Kick