Hmmm...What to say about the cartoons and the needless violence that has ensued? I have seen the cartoons that were published in the Danish papers and others in Europe. To be very blunt and honest here...the pictures although disrespectful and for Muslims..offensive..aren't nearly as bad as the ones that have been made to bash Our Lord, Our Lady, and Holy Mother Church. There have been countless books, movies, cartoons, tv shows, etc that do nothing but bash the Catholic Church and the Faith she has held dear for 2,000 years. What has been the response to attacks on the Church? Has the Holy Father issued a holy war on those who make such stuff? Has the Church threatened to behead those who insult Our Lord? No, we don't do nothing. True, a few people write letters, organize boycotts, maybe a demonstration or two but nothing approaching the needless violence that these cartoons have ignited. This is absurd. The reaction that these protesters have demonstrated sadly has reinforced the stereotype that muslims are barbaric and backward and therefore cannot live in a modern society that "cherishes" freedom of expression, speech, etc. Of course, such freedoms must come with responsibility. Drawing these cartoons was not responsible.
In this country, political cartoons can be bitingly satirical and in the case of these cartoons, they are but some are also very tasteless. Both cases are wrong. On the one hand you have Godless Europe being shown for perhaps the first time (ok..not the first time but maybe some lights will come on in their heads..ok.. a very FEW heads)how dangerous militant Islam is. For years we have heard constant slogans such has "Death to America! Death to Israel!" Now, were are hearing other slogans aimed at some of the European nations. Will these demonstrations (riots) finally make these governments see the truth in their dire situation? No, probably not. They are blinded by their own arrogance (thinking that secularism is the best form of government and society, that religion..especially Christianity is worthless, that killing their children or just not having any is a good thing, etc)and will be killed by it. Europe has hated its own history for a long time. The roots of this started in the Protestant Revolt, grew during the "enlightenment" and became mature during the 20th century. Europe is perhaps in its death throes. I know that the Holy Father wants to do all he can to remind Europe of their Christian roots and perhaps, with God's Grace some hearts will soften to the Gospel..but there will only be a few pockets. Even now, there are a few, few pockets of Faith left in Europe. They will become like the Christians of the Middle East..marginalized and persecuted for centuries under what is most likely to be Muslim rule (the liberals will all be dead by then..no one to replace them because they have refused to reproduce themselves). We need to pray for our brothers and sisters in Europe, they are in for some very rough times. Meanwhile, our own country should also be looked after. The godless secularists who kow tow to Islamic fascism must not be allowed to completely take over our country in spite of their iron handed control of the most precious of resources we have--the children who are being fed drival, lies, and propaganda at the schools. We must continue to pray for our country and yes..for Europe. I hope some lights will turn on..in a good way (we don't want the other extreme of most European governments--totalitarian and inhumane).
