[Buddha-l] Buddhism and blasphemy

[Joy Vriens]

Richard P. Hayes wrote:

> So one thing that might be worth thinking about is what we can do to
> reduce all this mutual fear and suspicion. Probably the least productive
> strategy of all is to point fingers and others and say that THEY are the
> ones who are dangerous. Any time we do not look into our own hearts and
> minds and see villainy and treachery ready to leap out and do serious
> damage, we are not facing reality.

I have seen a report about the Danish imam who started the whole thing 
and took the cartoons to Egypt and Lebanon. What he asks seems very 
innocent and my first thought was Yes why not? He says that those who 
published the cartoons were unaware of the effect they would have and 
therefore don't need to apologise for having published them, but they 
could apologize for having caused suffering among those who were 
offended by it. Like when you are talking to someone you spit him 
inadvertently in his face. Although you didn't have the intention to 
spit in the face, you could still regret the bother it caused.
If you're interested watching it. It is in Dutch, but the interview is 
English.
http://www.novatv.nl/ Click on "DO" (Thursday) in "Weekarchief" and then 
on "Complete uitzending". Fast forward to 21:18.

But the consequence would be that, knowing that it distresses people, 
next time you would refrain from publishing them for that reason. And 
the freedom of expression goes out of the window. It is not like the 
world religions can live without propaganda. They are proselytizing 
continuously. They have programms on national television, they have 
specialized tv channels, they have teaching programms in schools, 
conversion programms in Africa and elsewhere. What is the reason for 
this propaganda? Isn't this propaganda in itself a way of pointing a 
finger and stating the way you unbelievers live your lifes is wrong? 
Would that be an acceptable default situation in which no fingers are 
pointed? And look at the effect of one critical note in the form of a 
set of cartoons? Is that normal? Is that fair and balanced?

Of course it would be better to "look into our own hearts and minds and 
see villainy and treachery ready to leap", but who does actually do 
that? Can one force people to do so? No. Then the next best thing is to 
give people the opportunity to express themselves freely and to let 
others express themselves freely.

>> And if the Buddha was around now, he'd maintain a noble silence.

> Not necessarily. There are times when silence is noble, but there are
> other times when it is just plain awful. 

I have learned with disappointment that an excellent contributor to this 
list is stopped from posting by the moderators and I would like to speak 
out my disagreement with that decision.

Joy