Lars Vilks to fulfill Uppsala lecture

Freedom to speak is critical to a democracy.

Nobody knows what Muhammad looked like, therefore the objection to the image of a dog with a head is based on the idea rather than the actual image - it's only Muhammad if you want it to be. Similarly it is only offensive if you want it to be - and some Muslims clearly want an excuse to both to threaten and to be violent.

Large parts of the world are already subject to Islamic censorship and it is important that we retain the right, both in theory and in practice, to speak, think and discuss.

The university is making a grave mistake here, although we all agree to the values of freedom of speech but one should not try to use their special interest to provoke this values.

the university knows the credibility of this idiot and should not invite trouble, what ever happens in that lecture hall again will be the fault of the university. Muslims will have all options to resist the offending and provocation of this bigot.

@trownbridge H Ford, what a load of b...............t, fundamentalist are testing the boundaries of provocation all the time, if you had the opportunity to travel to the middle east and Arab nations, you would see with your own eyes, in the souks, effigies of Jesus being beheaded, by Bin Laden and other Jihad heroic figures, crucifixes upside down.

Do you see Crusaders marching and assembling in an uproar out of this not, we are better than that we understand and raise above it.

The major difference between us and them is evolution! We understand the freedoms others fought so hard to preserve, and respect social boundaries, however when they behave like sheep and follow what they hear without question, compliant to others radical interpretation of the Quran, places them far on the other side of evolutionary scale!

Called it lack of education or whatever, thus why I find it hard to believe you are actually against Lars Vilks who's learned opinion right or wrong represents the very basics you also enjoy, so don't take them for granted, throwing a shoe at Lars will place you on the same side of the scale as this radical fanatics.

This Vilks guy is an attention whore. Because there is no other way anyone would show interest to his crap drawings.

Well I would ask Muslims to define freedom of speech for me first. When Muslims go around preaching that Jesus was never crucified and that he was not the Son of God it is offending to many Christians.. do Christians react in the same way as Muslims ... No .. what is the reason for this .. cos we are guided by Grace !!

truthworthy wrote

the university knows the credibility of this idiot and should not invite trouble, what ever happens in that lecture hall again will be the fault of the university.

Muslims will have all options to resist the offending and provocation of this bigot.

Until we live in an Islamic state Viks is free to say and draw whatever he wants - if it offends someone so be it.

We all find different things offensive but if we decide that our offence can be expressed violently then society either collapses or intellectual debate vanishes - back to the dark ages.

If Viks might offend you don't go to the lecture, going is a choice.

JPLL .. thats what we call it Freedom of Act.. don´t you think complete freedom for Freedom of Speech will not complete without complete freedom for Freedom of Act.. this mean that we can do anything we want! Hooraayyy..

Later drug will be legal because as long as the drug seller don´t hurt anybody physically.. then they are free doing his business and lets people choose to buy it or not to buy it...

Lets have Freeeedom!

re jbat

you and your violent colleagues already claim the freedom to attack anyone who offends you.

If you cannot understand the difference between freedom to speak and freedom to kill, then you are lost.

The very freedom, to speak, that you are trying to curtail, is the same freedom that allows Muslims to speak and practice their religion and even try to convert others to Islam. It is the same freedom.

US have the freedom to attack any country they want...

How many Iraqis and Afghans have been killed?

why not this one?

Its just a threat anyway... nobody get kill or arrested...

Its freedom engagebrain no brain haha...

Like this one... i just use one of my freedom to speech... why so angry engagebrain? am i killing you already? do you think only you have a brain? opss.. have a freedom to insult other people religion engagebrain? to talk lie about other people religion engagebrain? Its freedom engagebrain...

if you can have freedom to speech to insult anybody you like it.. why not freedom to drug seller to sell drugs? :-)

This people with brain said :

"We all find different things offensive but if we decide that our offence can be expressed violently then society either collapses or intellectual debate vanishes - back to the dark ages.

If Viks might offend you don't go to the lecture, going is a choice."

haha.. then lets the drugs seller sell their drugs freely.. some people may say drugs is harmful for them, but for drugs addict people.. drugs is like an angel for them.. so lets the drugs seller sell their drugs and let people decide.. if this drug sellers might offend you (or your family member), dont buy that drugs.. buying oir not buying is your choice mr people with no brain

jbat

Unless I completely misunderstand your posts, you support attacks on VIks.

You also seem to have no understanding of the difference between teh freedom speaking and the freedom to be violent.

I find religion intellectually offensive but , and it is a very important but, I don't try to prevent the religious from pursuing their assorted religions. Indeed I would defend their freedom to talk nonsense.

What I condemn is violence as a means of censorship.

Is this clear.

Its not an attack mr no brain!

if you classify "head-butted" as an attack, you better watch more about wars in Iraq or Afghans so you can see the real meaning of attack!

its just a reaction to freedom of speech base on freedom of speech too..

nobody get killed or arrested mr no brain... those people are just trying to say no to what lars is doing.. its freedom right?

People like you Islams haters.. always find way to blame muslims while you forget your own duty to remind the people from your same religion not to killed other people easily (ask US army how those carpet bomb work in Iraq or Afghans.. i bet some of the US army itself will cry after they use this bomb on Iraqis or Afghans..)

what do you think is going to happen when the koran says kill those who you do not like?

i say bring a "world day" to "burn a koran day" and see what happens!

Shy person :

you said "what do you think is going to happen when the koran says kill those who you do not like?"

- This is not going to happen because Islam never teach its followers to do this. So for me nothing to comment back.

you said "i say bring a "world day" to "burn a koran day" and see what happens! "

- Try it if you can success creating this day... I don´t think today people are stupid enough to follow your stupid idea to insult other people religion... even in US this stupid plan not success... sorry shy :-)

Again...

People like you Islams haters.. always try to find way to blame muslims (with true evidences or not true evidences) while you forget your own duty to remind the people from your same religion not to killed and do REAL VIOLENCE to other people easily (ask US army how those carpet bomb work in Iraq or Afghans.. i bet some of the US army itself will cry after they use this bomb on Iraqis or Afghans..)

This is what Local says.

"Public peeing is ok if it does not offend anyone"

But

"A person is allowed to say anything in the name of freedom"

where is the "if it does not offend anyone" in the above statement.

Even "peeing" has the if statement with it but not the above statement.I guess religion is more "HOLY" than peeing. what a sick mentality.

I pray for all of you to ONE GOD of Muslims, Cristian and Jew.

This small town artist is seeking a cheap popularity when he realized that his art work has not taken him anywhere. Suffering from a mid-age crisis, he insulted Islam religion in the hope of that it would make him known by being notorious, how childish. Insults do not have any merit in any discourse or freedom of speech. They are empty words of anger.

LOL

I bet the administrators at Uppsala University hate this freak-animal (Lars Vilks), that's why they are inviting him again to get hammered.

@maakm Perhaps public peeing is part of my religion (Pisslam) and I am just making holy water. Is this not my right?

@Swedesmith #20

The neckname that you used between brackets in your comment is deeply offensive, you really don't have to do that and hurt others (At least me).

BTW, The public peeing somehow isn't allowed in Islam.

Is it possible to comment on this without violating any PC-edicts? I'll just read what you others are saying. As for Marko2010S being offended, get used to to it honey! You're in a free country now, at least until the new Nordic kaliphate has been established. If that's not suitable to you, you know what you can do.

Swedesmith,

Pisslam- Hillarious!

I don't know what are the LONG TERM OBJECTIVES behind these initiatives. But one thing is sure that the PEACE would be at stake. If we see empirically and comparatively as well , this menace of "Freedom of Speech" is taken as right in only few contries.. and number doesn't go more than 5. In other words, this right to express or abuse someone's believe is only restricted with minority(in this case Sweden). It is an open provocation under the cover of "Freedom of Speech". If 98% of the world doesn't like to redicule with someone's believe and and 2% favours it...then basically those 2% are creating problems for themselve. Look at Mr Vilk.. he is only liked by 2% and his life is always under protection( A kind of jail)..

@Andersson: Thank you for eloquently laying out the case why freedom of expression is crucial element in an open and free society. This, of course, includes the freedom to express that which may be offensive to some. Most of what comes out of the mouths and keyboards of Sweden's social dems, and liberals, is grossly offensive to me, but I would not dream of denying them their right to express it.

@Marko

Sorry if I offend you, but that is my point. Feel free to be offended but not free to issue death threats. Killing someone (or even threatening to do so) just because you do not agree with them is deeply offensive to me.

pisslam is a religion of peace. shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Freedom of speach is IRREPLACEABLE AND UNCONDITIONED, Vilks and any one has the right to say, write or draw whatever he thinks. Wonder why muslims get upset of drawing their prophet with a head of a dog!! while they don't move a rat ass when lots of terrorist attacks committed every day around the world in the name of "pisslam"!

by the freedom of speech if anyone affended or insulted they have to go legally as per the land you are living in.

some people running like mad dogs and shouting like mad mad dogs.

that is common thing with pisslam. all people have seen what happened in uppasala last time. and some bitches are shouting in the seminar hall.

the hate towards muslims is generated is the result of the deep hate and violence toward non muslims by muslims in many many countries.

We need to distinguish between FREE and CIVILIZED society. I believe, in a civilized society or enviornment we do not abuse anyone like comment#27... he or she may be from free society but not from a civilized society.

Lets we not loose the true essence of " freedom of speech" by integrating it with the free society where we start abusing or hurting ppl feelings. I don't know should I call Sweden a free or civilized?

Freedom to be civilized does not exist. Thank goodness.

@Swedesmith

I wish if you had insulted me, my dear parents (Who are dead) and my sweetheart daughter (Who is my everything) altogether instead of saying anything disrespectful about Islam.

Obviously, you know nothing about Islam or Muslims except the hate and wrong stereotypes that liar are spreading.

As for killing and the complete nonsense you've mentioned, I challange you to get an approval from any Sheikh (Muslim religious man) including the extreme ones in Saudia Arabia about the idea of killing a freak-animal like Lars Vilks, none of them will accept that. Of course, you can argue and drag many issues and mistakes that Muslims have done, but that doesn't prove anything, simply because they are human beings and human beings do mistakes.

A short introduction of prophet Muhammad could be seen here

How greatest people of ALL times have seen him and how some are trying to gain cheap publicity merely

Make your own wise judgment if you are really serious

http://www.slideshare.net/masyed/prophet-muhammed-pbuh

Mohammed = Sex Predator + Tyrant + Demon-Possed + Crazy/Confused (pick your choice).

One wonders why muslims boil when faced with un-Islamic ideologies. It is an unnatural reaction to vent so much anger just because someone thinks differently from you. Some internal force must be causing such madness.

@Marko I do not wish to insult you, your family or your religion. More than anything, I would love to believe that Islam is a religion of peace. It would be wonderful to think that Muslims, Christians, Jews , Buddhists and atheists, etc. could all live together in peace and harmony, but when I hear of jihad and read accounts in the news of suicide bombers and see images of Muslims chanting "Death to America, death to Israel, death to anything that offends me" , and hear talk of infidels and be-headings and women stoned to death, or read of the concept of taquiyah...I am sorry but that makes it hard to believe that you wish for the same.

@Marko

Actually there is a fatwa against him issued by religious leaders. You need to do your research before making such claims.

Actually it is not just the paintings of Muhammad that is prohibited in Islam but any kind of painting what so ever. Makes you think, doesn't it ??

Sahih Muslim vol.3 no.5268 (p.1160) says, "Ibn 'Umar reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) having said: Those who paint pictures would be punished on the Day of Resurrection and it would be said to them: Breathe soul into what you have created.2519"

If muslims were able to take things with a grain of salt this guy would still be a nibody cartoonist. And no one would have paid attention to one guy burning the Koran.

@Swedesmith

Have you ever met any Muslim who threaten to kill you, or harmed you personally (physically or emotionally)?

I was a catholic, and I never ever caused real harm to anyone and I never would accept that to anyone. After I converted to Islam, still the same. never ever caused real harm to anyone and I never would accept that to anyone regardless his/her cultural/religious/philosophical background. Many Muslims are just like me. We are not angels, we are human beings. We are not less than others and others are not less than us.

I think it would hurt you to see a foreign occupiers (Soldiers) letting a dog biting your mother's arms or pushing her harshly to ground and you are helpless and defenseless. Same applies here, it extremely hurts my soul and dignity as a human being (NOT as a Muslim) to see that has been done by Israeli Soldiers to poor palestinian women.

Same thing when I see hungry people (Non-Muslims) in Africa or South America, same thing when I saw the movie (The Boy in the Striped Pajamas).

Sadly, my parents have died as catholics and I had to live with this pain my entire life, but still it would be extremely offensive to me if someone (Even a Muslim) comes and insulted their belief, though I am no longer christian.

I don't know, maybe expecting good manners and morals from other people seems impossible in our world nowadays.

What is offensive to you about "taquiyah" ?

It is damn piece of cloth on the head, and it has nothing to do with Islam. Even if it is related to Islam, Why you don't get offended by the "Kippah" of the Jewish people?

It is pretty clear that media have managed successfully and impressively to inhumanize all Muslims, that's why you hate them deeply.

@JPLL #36

1)I challenge you, Bring me facts. Who are those religious leaders (Give me exact names the fatwa text).

2)That proves you've a little brain, Yes painting/drawing any creature somehow isn't preferable in Islam, so what? that doesn't mean we kill Muslims who paint? but we maybe have right to argue and advice the Muslim who paints to stop this business. But no teach in Islam at all about arguing/killing Non-Muslims who paint? Simply because it is not none of our business.

3)As for the Hadith that mention in your last paragraph, in case if it is true and accurate, then it only applies on Muslims, because Islam is for Muslims. Obviously, your level of intellect is so high. I can't even imagine a 3 years old muslim boy coming to Jewish man and telling him since usury isn't allowed in your religion then that offense me as a Muslim.....

BTW, Saudia Arabia is considered the most extreme Islamic country and it's full of radical islamists and fundamentalists. Have you ever seen 1 single demonstration there saying "behead"?

If you are looking to poor uneducated Muslims in Pakistan or Afghanistan, then, Yeah, you are from the same category (uneducated) that's why you look to your level.

@Marko

1: Here is the name of the person who issued the fatwa, Abu Omar al-Baghdadi an Islamic leader in Iraq. This is well known and Lars himself reacted to this. Is this proof enough for you ?

2: I must ask you, if you are in the same room with Vilks, how will you react to his lecture as a Muslim. Will you just walk out and protest in a democratic manner or try to head butt him ?

@JPLL #39

1) Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, Huh? (died April 18, 2010) ???.

If you want to argue with facts, say something sensible. Ask any 5 years old kid and tell him a there is a leader who lives in third world country (Where getting Internet connect is something not easy) and this person is badly wanted by the strongest countries around the world. Do you think he's free to have time for reading and following news about freak-animals like Lars Vilks?

Answer: The little boy will spit on your face twice for wasting the kid's time and for asking such a foolish question.

If your evidence is BBC article (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6996553.stm), then, once again you are completely wrong. Simply because you don't know Islam or Muslims. If a Muslim man or woman wants to do something (Whatever it is), then, s/he do it purely from the heart and only for Allah. This is one of main principles of Islam.

Muslim will never ever do anything for money or to be rewarded, Because Islam teaches states that: if you rewarded in life on doing anything (Even if it good), then, you already got your reward.

BBC and the West are just spouting despicable propaganda about Islam in order to distort its picture by all means.

I know that you have to cherry-pick in order to prove your invalid, weak and wrong point. Try again because you failed!. Besides there are so many religious Muslim leaders all over the world, show me one approved your nonsense.

2) First of all, being with Lars Vilks in the same place is an insult for me because I consider him a freak-animal. Second of all, I swear to Allah, if I am with Lars Vilks in the same room I will not touch or talk to him at all. Also, when I walk out I will NOT protest democratically nor barbarically. Because simply I will follow the exact teaches of my religion Islam, specifically the holy Koran as it states in Surah 25. Al-Furqan, Ayah 63,

It states:"For, [true] servants of the Most Gracious are [only] they who walk gently on earth, and who, whenever the foolish address them, 50 reply with [words of] peace".

So, basically Allah is instructing (Muslims) to walk gently and politely on earth, and in case if some fools like (Lars Vilks) lash out at us, we (Muslims) must be polite to them and say to them "peace". This is the true Islam. True Islam isn't what you see on TV and fanatics claim.

To confirm go to: (Holy Koran: http://www.alim.org/library/quran/ayah/compare/25/63/Al-Furqan).

@Marko

1: So now you differentiate between a religious leader from a developed country v/s a religious leader from a third world country. My question is why did none of the prominent Muslim leaders denounce the protests (sometimes violent) against Denmark and Sweden ?

2: I hope other Muslims also believe and show tolerance as stated in Surah 25. Unfortunately there are plenty of verses and numerous Hadits that support violence.

Abu Ad-Darda' said, "We smile in the face of some people although our hearts curse them.''

''Freedom to speak''

It should be free under the circumstance of not offending others. The violence, offending all are the signs of lack of education.

Wake up people, we all are the same that is why we called as human. We should learn how to live with others in our short life. We not live several hundred years, we only live average 80. So, spend your time for some thing useful and meaningful.

Protecting offensive speech is the point of freedom of speech. If we all agreed with each other freedom of speech would be irrelevant. The fact that so many on here don't realize this simple reality is indicative of their incapacity to understand the basics of a free society.

Think about this. If I made a poster of Muhammad and hung it outside my home in france I would probably be attacked and/or killed. I don't think anyone could deny this. Religion of peace ehhhhh?

"That a university lecture is interrupted by violence is a serious thing, regardless of the opinion that provoked the reaction," Folke Tersman, the head of the university's philosophy department, said in Monday's statement.”

The useless piece of was no work of art, nor was it merely an “opinion” - it was a deliberate provocation and an insult of one who is dearly loved and revered by 1.5 billion Muslims.

Vilks the human being ought to repent of this crime, before it’s too late to repent.

yess... more cool videos to put on my facebook lol!

i dont think there should be violence. yes what vilks did is not 'holy' at all, but the christian have their own 'pictures' and none of them really put an 'action' to it. i think violence does not solve anything. the more you show it to vilks the more SD vote in the next election.