In order to get respect, one must give respect, alcari. Stands to reason. It is like the belief of freedom of speech. The whole ‘Even though I do not believe in what you say, I will defend your right to say it.’ Why can’t this apply to freedom of religion? Why can’t religious people openly believe and practice their religion without your respect? If you believe in freedom of speech, then you should believe in freedom of religion. Meaning, you should respect other people’s religion not because you believe in the religion but you feel the other person have the right to hold onto his religion. Hence, respect.

You don’t have to believe in it. You don’t have to support it. But all we need is your respect about our religion. Meaning, if you clearly insulted our religion, it is a form of disrespect. Islam strongly forbids the portrayal of Muhammad because we fear idolatry. Allah is the one God, not Muhammed. However, the Danish media completely ignored this and went ahead and post those cartoons and for what? Just to fill an empty slot on a page of a newspaper? It is disrespect. The thoughtless action behind it angered many because it shows how much weight you actually considered before publishing the pictures. And now, the Danish media is surprised with the amount of negative feedback? It’s called responsible journalism, people.

Somebody up there (I can’t be bothered to scroll up to know the username) said that people with organized religion should keep it to themselves. Maybe you should be the example of that by doing the same. You don’t agree with the principles of any religion? Why don’t you keep the thought to yourself? However, people are always communicating so it is almost impossible for a person to keep their strong point of view to themselves. This applies to everyone including atheists and religious people.

I am a Muslim and I am offended by the cartoons. So, if I criticized the Danish media, it is MY RIGHT to say it. All the other Muslims who demanded an apology from the newspaper and whoever is involved has the right to express themselves. Freedom of speech, no?

Oh and to clear the misconception: Muhammed is the Prophet of Allah and the messenger of Islam, yes. But Islam existed before Muhammad. Muhammad is the last and the most important prophet in Islam but he is, of course, not the first. Muslims believe in the event of Adam and Eve. Yes, we do. Hence, the first Prophet, as do all Muslims believe, is actually Adam. It is written in the Qur’an. Apart from Adam and Muhammad, we also believe in the existence of other prophets like Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Jesus and such. Yes, many things that Muslims believe in are linked or similar to the beliefs of Christians.

I do not see why I should respect anyone’s beliefs, as long as they are completely unfounded and have no bearing on reality.

Organised Religion especially, deserves no respect, as it has brought humanity nothing but trouble and has hindered our development as species. If you want me to respect your beliefs, show me a reason why I should.

I’m getting mighty tired of the whole religion-taboo. Lets throw the beliefs on the table, pick them apart and discuss them, lets get rid of this rediculous taboo that states we can’t be critical of religion.