Comments on: Childrens’ Show ‘Fireman Sam’ Removed Over ‘Qur’an’ Depiction

By: pilky

pilky — Sat, 30 Jul 2016 11:01:25 +0000

I agree that a children’s program was the wrong place to pull this stunt (if it was a stunt), however, in my opinion Islam is no more special or sacred than any other religion, and all religions/ideas/cults should be subjected to criticism/ridicule in equal measures, otherwise we’d have bigotry of low expectations, or imposed censorship through fear of a particular group (which is exactly where we are currently at).

Was Monty Python’s The life of Brian baiting and belittling? Of cause it was. And for good reason.

My point in the initial post was that we need to stop walking on eggshells with everything that concerns Islam, and make it clear that Islam is not holy to non Muslims, and we won’t be bullied into treating it sacredly.

By: Rose

Rose — Sat, 30 Jul 2016 03:44:35 +0000

I do agree that Islam needs criticism but just mocking something sacred because it is held sacred is pointless – it appears that the majority is mocking the minority. To some extent my point is about symbolism because if however, you are criticising something specific in the religion – that was said in the text for example – that is different. The other point is its a children’s program where children are not looking for political discussion about religion – its not a political program for adults that specifically debates political issues of the day then the audience has no choice and doesnt know what to expect.

Likewise cartoons of the prophet – as long as they are in a publication or program that people know what to expect and they can agree or not – or on the news then they choose to get offended. Sexually explicit is fairly provocative – but again the ridiculously extreme – and violent Muslim reaction is unacceptable. My point here is that offending for the sake of it looks like baiting and belittling. At any rate that episode was removed.

By: Russell Burn

Russell Burn — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 21:13:13 +0000

Well said. Ultimately a political leader with the courage and intelligence to confront this horrible success of Islamism holding the world to ransom with the oldest trick in the book of tribal assertion, is long overdue. I believe it should be completely possible to make the case, to the nation as a whole, that this perpetual latent threat of supposed blasphemy is seen for what it is; that any and all criticism of this religion’s manipulations cannot forever be silenced as “Islamophobic”, that they are in fact valid and open to debate within the context of our own deep and complex Christian heritage that has evolved beyond ‘spiritual’ control and into a fantastically tolerant society far far superior to any on earth under the thrall of Islam. This advanced toleration can no longer be disabused by a religion openly manifesting frankly sinister ambitions, Muslims that like, enjoy and appreciate the life possible on our non-Islamic but pluralistic society, should have nothing to worry about, and hopely would be glad to be free of the Islamist imperative towards confrontation and domination.

By: Denash Khan

Denash Khan — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 14:45:20 +0000

Lets hope they are not recycling into toilet paper……

RIOT OVER RUMOR OF QURANS RECYCLED INTO TOILET PAPER…
So what is a pious Muslim supposed to do with his worn-out copy of the Qur’an? Traditionally these have been burned, but that is a highly charged practice these days. And obviously you can’t give them to the paper mill to be recycled. “Three Afghans held for disrespecting Qur’an,” from the Gulf Times, April 19 (thanks to Twostellas):

Three people have been arrested as officials probe claims that a paper mill in Afghanistan recycled copies of the Holy Qur’an into toilet paper, the attorney general’s office said yesterday. Around 1,000 angry demonstrators, some throwing stones, held a protest on Monday at the mill on the outskirts of Kabul, leaving the building partially destroyed. Copies of the Qur’an were found inside the factory, Kabul police spokesman Hashmat Stanikzai said, adding that no-one was injured in the protest. “The attorney general’s office and Kabul police have jointly tasked a delegation to investigate the alleged disrespect to our holy book in that factory,” a spokesman said.

Koran Recycling

By: deserthermit

deserthermit — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 00:50:01 +0000

What a waste of energy worrying about pure fiction. The right thing to do with any holy book is to chuck it in the trash where it belongs.

By: pilky

pilky — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 08:54:29 +0000

Can you give an example of any other piece of text that would would be so provocative in this context?

I agree with you that if this was intentional that it was deliberately offensive, but I disagree that it was “unnecessary”.

I think its very necessary to highlight the fact that Muslims are extremely sensitive towards their faith, and that our media and government will go to extraordinary measures not to offend, through fear of being slaughtered.

This is something that needs to change, and if actions like this draw public attention to the issue then so be it.

By: Rose

Rose — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 06:47:50 +0000

It may be an error – some random thing generated of non anglo-celtic texts to include but Actually I think the page is so distinctive that someone is likely to have known it was the Quran and it is Muslim-baiting to include. If so I think its unnecessarily offensive. Theres a difference between legitimate criticism of some behaviour or oppressive belief its another to just mock to be offensive. Anyway the whole thing has been removed now and an apology made.

By: ptfrd

ptfrd — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 00:55:48 +0000

This post is highly problematic and triggering for me. Why? Because the word children's has been misspelt as childrens'. (It's like men's.) Everything else about this post seems fine. Here are some references: UK, USA.

By: Ron Murphy

Ron Murphy — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 15:49:48 +0000

The Fireman Sam copy IS an electronic version.

By: pilky

pilky — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 14:49:51 +0000

I agree with the sentiment of your article, however, I reckon it’s more likely that this page was intentionally chosen by a member of the animation team, for whatever reason.
Mischief, a playful office dare, or maybe to prove a political point (which has definitely been proven).

I find it hard to believe that a company producing a mainstream kids animation would choose a page from the Quran for illegible text.

I hope the only consequences are that more people realise our government/media/education system/society grant Islam a form of protection that no other religion/ideology receives.