Islamic censorship is a threat to us all

The recent murder of the journalists and cartoonists at the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdoe has made us all aware of both the need for and rigorous defence of free speech both at home and abroad. The world is full of fanatics both political and religious that seek to take that right away, both in their own countries and in those they do not rule.

Take the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) based in that bastion of democracy Saudi Arabia, you know the one country in the world where women are not allowed to drive. Where bloggers seeking a more open and democratic society are sentenced to a thousand lashes and their lawyers sentenced to 15 years prison just for trying to defend the in a court of law.

Their head, one Iyad Madani (nominated by Saudi Arabia) is threatening legal action (if he can) over the commemorative issue of Charlie Hebdoe. He thinks:

These cartoons have hurt the sentiments of Muslims across the world. Freedom of speech must not become a hate speech and must not offend others. No sane person, irrespective of doctrine, religion or faith, accepts his beliefs being ridiculed.

Really?

Freedom of speech means what it says. Ridicule or satire is part of that process. Sometimes one may not actually like it, but no rational person goes around shooting, killing and imprisoning people for thought crimes.

But then the OIC has an agenda.

They want blasphemy to be illegal across the whole world.

That means taking away our rights. The right to criticise, the right to not believe, the right to take the mickey out of superstitious nonsense.

And by blasphemy they mean protection of Islam because the governments in the OIC have never given a toss about their religious minorities ever.

You can't even practice another religion in Saudi Arabia. Own a Christian Bible and you can be in big trouble. Freedom of worship in the Wahhabi caliphate? Pull the other one.

Meanwhile in that haven of democracy Gaza, the Hamas terrorists have allowed a pro-ISIS demonstration. The words of one of the participants was chilling as the Indian Subcontinent reports:

Today, we are telling France and world countries that while Islam orders us to respect all religions, it also orders us to punish and kill those who assault and offend Islam's Prophet Mohammad," said one of the protesters, Abu Abdallah al-Makdissi.

Respect for other religions? 

These would be the supporters of the vile Islamic State who persecute, execute, rape and enslave Christians, Yazadi's and even other Muslims that don't follow their definition of the "religion of peace"?

Apparently the demonstrators chanted:

"You have to await more heroes of Islam, you worshippers of the Cross,"

This is the message of respect that Islam has for other religions?

Sounds like a direct threat to all Christians to me.

This is religions dark side. Intolerance breeding murderers in the name of "God".

And these people demand respect?

Not from rational, free thinking people I'm afraid.

Worship who you please but don't try ramming your beliefs down those who choose not to.

And stop the killing, enslaving and raping ...

Then you might, just might earn some respect.