It's reported that a school teacher in somewhere in Yorkshire showed a cartoon to a class as part of a lesson. The consequence of this apparently simple and inoffensive act has been the suspension of teh teacher, mass protests outside the school and grovelling apologies from all and sundry.
The 'problem' is that the cartoon was one of Muhammad and Muslims consider such behaviour to be blasphemous and offensive. Forget that this is England, a nominally Christian country in which cartoons, satire, irony and the rest have always been part of everyday life, now we have to mind our "ps & qs" in case we upset some minority group or other.
As yet, I've heard no one stand up for free speech or state that discussion of religious, or irreligious, matters, with illustrations if required, is perfectly acceptable and even desirable in our schools. No one complains if images of Christ, Buddha or various Indian deities are shown, what is so special about Muhammad ? Others can be lampooned, criticised, even vilified, but not, it seems, Muhammad.
In essence, the 'problem' is not that a cartoon was shown but that this country now has populations of immigrants whose whole ethos is alien. Our political leaders have allowed, even encouraged, the creation of entire areas where migrant populations dominate and where their imported laws and customs hold sway over the pre-existing culture.
The reaction of the school and some other authority figures has been shameful. It is true that some have avoided overt criticism of the school and have concentrated more on the shocking, intimidatory mob protesting outside; it's reported that the teacher is now in hiding in fear of their life. This is the real problem, that people in this country can be put in such terror by the actions of howling mobs that claim offence, persecution or some other supposed crime against them.
What on earth has happened to our nation ?
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