RELIGION AND ART

SWEDEN

Citing a lack of evidence, an appeals court acquitted three men accused of plotting to murder a Swedish artist who had depicted the Prophet Muhammad as a dog. Judges in Goteborg ruled that the three men of Iraqi and Somali origin may have been prepared to use violence against Lars Vilks in September 2011 but found no concrete proof that they planned to kill him. The men were carrying knives when they were arrested after inquiring about Vilks at an art exhibition where he had been expected to appear but did not do so.

 

WHAT MAKES OR BREAKS A RELIGION?

IS IT THE CRITICISM OF OTHERS?

OR IS IT YOU?

I DO NOT CONDONE THE CONDEMNATION OF ANY RELIGION - IT IS, TO PUT IT MILDLY, NOT VERY NICE.... IT IS THEIR FAITH...LEAVE THEM BE

BUT I ALSO DO NOT THINK IT IS GOOD TO REACT SO VIOLENTLY - ESPECIALLY IN THIS DAY AND AGE...WE CAN'T CONTROL WHAT PEOPLE SAY OR DO ON THE INTERNET

BILL CLINTON IS RIGHT

Former President Bill Clinton says the followers of Islam shouldn't resort to violence when they hear their faith challenged in an increasingly diverse and Internet-connected world.

Clinton tells CBS "you cannot live in a shame-based world. You won't make it in the 21st century."
He says in an interview broadcast Tuesday the United States wasn't "disrespecting Islam" by declining to censor a film trailer that, quote, "nobody in authority knew anything about."
Clinton says the world has learned the hard way that people must be allowed in a free setting to say and do things that others might find abhorrent. He adds, quote, "you can't react every time you're insulted."
Video clips of the movie appeared this month, sparking riots in Libya, Yemen, Pakistan and much of the Islamic world.