Why Evolution is True is a blog written by Jerry Coyne, centered on evolution and biology but also dealing with diverse topics like politics, culture, and cats.
The latest Jesus and Mo strip , “fifty”, is a good one, and refers to a BBC article excerpted below. The “pedophilia” question refers to Muhammad’s youngest wife, Aisha , whom he married when she was six. (When the marriage was actually consummated is a vigorously disputed subject.)
Here’s the note that came with the email:
Today’s strip is in response to a story about the revoked death sentence of a Saudi-based Sri Lankan man who insulted Mohammed on Facebook.
The case sent shockwaves through Sri Lanka, spurring diplomatic efforts to seek clemency
Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has set aside the death sentence handed to a Sri Lankan migrant worker over a comment he made on Facebook, Colombo’s Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra said.
Anojan Sivarasa, 27, was sentenced to death in September after a Saudi appellate court convicted him of blasphemy against Islam and the Prophet Muhammad over his comment.
The case sent shockwaves through Sri Lanka , spurring diplomatic efforts to seek clemency.
Saudi Arabia’s top court set aside the sentence on Wednesday, Hemachandra said in a post on Facebook, where he thanked the authorities and legal teams of both nations for their efforts.
In late June, footage of a young Muslim man kicking a dog following Hindu pilgrims circulated widely on social media, triggering religious arguments online.
During the exchange, a user posted derogatory remarks about a Hindu deity, leading Sivarasa to respond in Tamil insulting the Prophet Muhammad.
Although Sivarasa promptly deleted the comment and posted an apology video, a screenshot of it was brought to the attention of his employer and Saudi officials, leading to his arrest in July.
It is not clear if there will be further legal proceedings or whether Sivarasa will remain in detention, and for how long. He was initially sentenced to five years in prison as well as a fine of three million Saudi riyals ($0.8m; £0.6m) by the Al-Ahsa Criminal Court.
The death sentence came later, but is now revoked. It’s still ridiculous and barbaric treatment for insulting religion. I know of no other faith that would do something like this.
Oh, and the artist said this in his note to Patrons:
In other news, there’s a new Jesus & Mo book out! It’s a “best of” collection called The Chosen Ones – a selection of about 150 from 2005-2026. It would be a lovely Xmas present for the infidel in your life!
Also, if you wish to support J&M’s continued existence, please consider becoming a Patron . Just a dollar or two a month makes a difference.
Thanks for subscribing. See you next week!
PCC(E) : “I know of no other faith that would do something like this.”
Indeed, it begs the question – properly – assumes the premise – whether Islam is best characterized as purely a religious faith – or, rather – as has been argued by Dan Burmawi :
“Islam is not a religion. Islam has a religion.”
(I shared that a while ago one may recall).
There are books by e.g. Yahia Emerick that put Islam as more of a way of life .
I wonder whether leaders in Western countries who ignore Islamists’ crimes are more afraid of being killed by Islamists or of being accused of Islamophobia. I’m actually in awe of the way that Muslims have been able to steamroll Western sensibilities to use our values when it suits them: Muslims can call for the destruction of Israel, celebrate the murder of Jews, and commit acts of depravity against women and children with impunity and avoid consequences by crying Islamophobia, but even the most minor of verbal or written insults against their religion is prosecuted by the law (not so much in the US, but certainly overseas). As Frank Herbert said, “When I am weaker than you, I ask you for freedom because that is according to your principles; when I am stronger than you, I take away your freedom because that is according to my principles.”
Well put. The charges of “Islamophobia” try to devalue every critical statement about Islam as some sort of racial prejudice, when in reality they are often just factual statements about the tenets of Islam and/or the actions of its adherents. To the extent that fear (“phobia”) is relevant, well, stories like these illustrate why there is ample basis for being afraid of what these adherents will do when given any amount of power. There’s nothing irrational about it.
It’s mostly a third alternative: they are afraid that Muslims won’t vote for them.
Importing Muslims in large numbers is bad; giving them a vote is worse.
That is absolutely the case here in Australia; Labor governments have imported so many Muslims that they pander to them for their dependable votes. Recent news is that the Air Dubai attempted hijacking was by a Muslim copilot who had been radicalized in Melbourne, Australia, by a group that has received massive funding from Labor governments, and whose leaders are on record saying nasty stuff such as rape is permissible, men should beat disobedient wives, and of course that Allah wills the destruction of Israel.
Anyone know what the man actually said? Or is that verboten?
Hemant “The Friendly Atheist” Mehta has been covering the Anojan Sivarasa story.
I also detect a trace of Bill Clinton in Mo’s semantic-heavy response.
““She was only 12 years old”: Climate change, a new accelerator of child marriage. In Bangladesh, Kenya, and elsewhere, climate disasters are exacerbating early marriages. By destroying incomes and homes, they push some families to marry off their daughters ever younger.” https://www.leparisien.fr/international/elle-navait-que-12-ans-le-dereglement-climatique-nouvel-accelerateur-des-mariages-denfants-13-10-2026-ZXKF37KF75AZVHZTY74MLILRFE.php
When/if Islam does pacify itself or more to the point, gets over itself, the well-being of the planet’s occupants should rise considerably.
I want to know what happened to the dog! Seriously, this is among the less well-known evils of Islam (and one that deserves to be better known in the West, so people can understand the ideology better): Muhammad’s injunction to kill dogs. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXCYh7TcKUw&vl=en
As I have posted previously, I sure hope that the author of those comics is watching his/her six (especially if the author is female!).
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Enter your email address to subscribe and receive new post notifications by email.
Loading comments…