Right to Blasphemy

This story touches on Freedom of the press. It is relevant to the Holocaust story only in that we find Germans arguing that a "right to blasphemy" is anchored in democratic freedoms. In France too we hear of the right to "caricature God." Here actually the Europeans are correct. A right to blasphemy is a democratic freedom. How is it that we can blasphemy God but not question any aspect of Holocaust? Has Auschwitz gained greater significance in Europe than Christ? Germany and France ought to rethink their repressive anti-revisionist laws and empty their prisons of their thought-criminals. Which should be a greater crime -- blasphemy against God or blasphemy against Auschwitz?


Papers Republish Controversial Cartoons


By ANGELA CHARLTON, Associated Press Writer Wed Feb 1, 5:35 PM ET

PARIS - French and German newspapers republished caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad on Wednesday in what they called a defense of freedom of expression, sparking fresh anger from Muslims.

The drawings have divided opinion within Europe and the Middle East since a Danish newspaper first printed them in September. Islamic tradition bars any depiction of the prophet to prevent idolatry.

The cartoons include an image of Muhammad wearing a turban shaped as a bomb with a burning fuse and another portraying him holding a sword, his eyes covered by a black rectangle.

The front page of the daily France Soir on Wednesday carried the headline "Yes, We Have the Right to Caricature God" along with a cartoon of Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim and Christian gods floating on a cloud. Inside, the paper reran the Danish drawings.

Original Story