Cat Stevens Fatwa Controversy

[Fiction]

We all know that Yusuf Islam (formerly known by his stage name, Cat Stevens) has been pretty here-and-there about the fatwa calling for the death of Salman Rushdie. What are your opinions on his position in the controversy? On a larger scale, what do you think of Islams' view on blasphemy?

[Shaun]

I don't know enough about it, but I don't really need to in this case to form an opinion: it's stupid and I hope he gets hit by a bus.

Sorry, but I have absolutely no respect for radical religion. None. Zip. I think it should all be abolished and people who think resorting to violence to silence people who make you feel bad should probably be locked up in prison and left there to rot. I don't give a crap what religion you believe in, but if you feel that you are above reproach and that you have the right to kill people who disagree with you, then you are clearly a part of a dying cast of individuals who will forever be recognized for their idiocies.

As for Islam: We should be careful not to assume that Islam is responsible for the views of radical extremists. There are a couple Muslims on this site who represent a much more realistic majority. These folks I cannot imagine doing anything close to what Cat Stevens is doing. They might get upset, but they would never call for the death of someone who criticizes them (in fact I have criticized these individuals in the past and they have never once help such contempt for me as to wish death upon me). The folks who have called fro Rushdie's death are not representative of the majority opinion, only an extremist opinion. Most Muslims are, in fact, quite rational, calm individuals who may have a separate world view than myself, but at least have no interest in killing me or forcing me to convert via whatever means necessary. The same can be said about any religion.

The problem has always been that radical religion tends to be the most vocal and "entertaining" of the bunch, so we don't generally recognize the less ridiculous and more rational forms.