Is it time for Muslims to be more tolerant of criticism? Columnist Francois Sergent of France’s Liberation writes that one crazy pastor doesn’t represent the West, and that it’s time for Islam to accept that attacks like his are just a normal part of being one of the world’s leading religions.
For Liberation, Francois Sergent writes in part:
This man, a huckster of God and not much of a huckster – represents only himself. The Arab-Muslim world would be wrong to see him an indicator of a new war of religion. Quite the contrary, the entire world has condemned his actions – perhaps more out of fear of reprisal from more extremist Muslims than out of a sudden respect for the religion. Nevertheless, this remains an isolated bonfire and has passed.
More fundamentally, Muslims, whether they live in the West or in Islamic countries, must accept that their religion can be criticized and called into question. Some will do so in good faith; and others ineptly and obnoxiously. Muslims cannot demand something for Islam that it has scarcely shown Christians struggling to survive, from Egypt to Pakistan.
Historically, the Catholic religion in the West has withstood vexing attacks more or less gracefully. Islam could move forward if it would learn to be indifferent or tolerant of its critics and enemies, including the most stupid, like the sinister Reverend Jones.
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