Cop quits after insulting gift to Muslim colleague

[Jayda]

I guess that is where the major disconnect is. Because that is not obvious to me at all. Maybe that is something that more atheists/agnostics have problems with and that is at the root of the problem? The inability to empathize on religious feelings. Simply not being capable of putting oneself in the shoes of a religious person.

Allow me to tell a little anecdote . This story reminds me of a small 'family crisis' we had over Christmas . In the last few years my sister has turned into something of a devout Christian, while everyone in the family is quite fiercely atheist. Nevertheless we always participate in some of the idolatry and rituals that surround Christmas, so we have a nice Christmas tree and a miniature 'nativity scene' (not sure what it is called in English , I mean something like this).

When my brother got home he apparently felt a bit rebellious and decided to show it by turning baby Jesus upside down in his crib oh:. He thought it was an innocent jest to show his disapproval of all the religious overtones in the house. But my sister completely freaked out. She was totally upset and after a whole bunch of screaming how the devil had taken over the house she simply left the house to cool off. We weren't even sure if she was even coming back. Eventually she did turn up and apparently had told herself that God taught her to be forgiving, and that is what she did. In the end everything turned out fine and the mood around Christmas table was fine.

Anyway, it just shows how sometimes people that don't believe simply fail to comprehend how important some things are to religious people, even if it is just symbolism. My brother did not have intention to upset or hurt my sister, he would never do that, we all know that, it's just not in his character. For him it was not a serious act. He was unable to foresee this escalation and he felt incredibly bad after my sister had stormed out. Not to say this 'incident' is comparable with the one discussed in this thread, I simply don't know the details, but it might well be. Remember that many non-religious people are essentially handicapped when dealing with religion. They simply fail to comprehend it, it just confuses them.

hola,

actually i think your example indicates that your brother did understand... he was simply displeased that he actually had to see, the consequences of his actions: his sisters hurt feelings. as you said, he turned it upside down to jest make fun of her beliefs. obviously he wanted to get a rise out of her, or he wouldn't have pranked her.

he just didn't like to be confronted with the result of his actions.

that's adolescent... and it's precisely the same behavior as the cop. now, it might be somewhat more acceptable in a household where everybody is related and there are no weapons involved and (one hopes) everyone knows each other pretty well... but take that disrespectful, provocative and adolescent attitude and put it into a stranger who is allowed to carry a gun and basically tell anybody he wants to what to do.

that's bad...

 

[KAding]

:muddlehea

Now, why exactly, would you find that interesting? Is one more deserving of respect than another?

Would it be just as amusing to hand an alcoholic vegetarian a pound of bacon and bottle of wine? Or would that just be offensive?

Rather than trying to teach us Muslims how to behave in a manner that is acceptable to you, how about you teaching people to treat others with respect? How about you explain to these idiots how their behavior is not acceptable, how their behavior is offensive rather than telling the offended that they should not be offended.

<snip>

Do you not understand this is NOT about Muslims and Islam....it is about justifying bigotry and disrespect REGARDLESS of faith.

<snip>

Good luck to you.

Hana

This all sounds very nice in theory. And it would be nice if it could work that way. But I think it is very difficult to implement in practice. It is so very hard to draw the line on matters like these. When is something offense? Is two gays kissing in front of a mosque 'offensive'? Is saying Jesus was a false prophet 'offensive'? Is eating meat in front of a vegetarian 'offensive'? And there is the added problem that is is sometimes very hard to understand when something is offensive in a culture or lifestyle that is not your own. I fear a situation where those most easily offended (in general fundamentalist of whatever breed. Note I'm not saying that is the case here!) are going to determine that 'line'. We also have to make sure that religions and other highly organized ways or life are not better protected then other beliefs and lifestyles.

I think a focus on tolerance is a more feasible approach then respect in societies that are so diverse. Making sure everyone is protected against being 'offended' is simply not easy to organize. I think an attitude were people a taught to shrug of idiotic and offensive statements is more productive.

But this is all IMHO of course. Don't be offended ;D.

 

[Jayda]

have you ever considered the possibility you can't reason everything out... there is also common sense.

 

[NoName55]

put it into a stranger who is allowed to carry a gun

guns are not carried as a matter of routine but only issued to specially selected personnel on special occasions i.e when they are to go on a raid or protection duties

 

[KAding]

have you ever considered the possibility you can't reason everything out... there is also common sense.

Yes, I'm probably approaching this too..ehm..analytical! Can't help it! :hmm:

Anyway, I'm not sure you can base rules and laws on 'common sense'. Besides, who's common sense? There is no such thing :sunny:.