Pope Francis V Jesus Hebdo: The ‘other cheek’ is a clenched fist
Pope Francis has a few words on free speech and the murder of journalists, police and Jews in Paris:
“If my good friend Dr. Gasparri says a curse word against my mother, he can expect a punch. It’s normal. You cannot provoke. You cannot insult the faith of others. You cannot make fun of the faith of others.” …
“There are so many people who speak badly about religions or other religions, who make fun of them, who make a game out of the religions of others. They are provocateurs. And what happens to them is what would happen to Dr. Gasparri if he says a curse word against my mother. There is a limit.”
To quote another leading Christina, Jewius Christ:t
“You have heard that it was said, ‘an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.”
The original post made three broad points: First, that laws against blasphemy and offense-giving are generally a terrible idea; second, that cultural restraints (in various forms) on blasphemy and offense-giving are quite often reasonable and decent; and third, the kind of offense-giving that’s often most worth defending or even embracing is the kind that’s made in the face of, or in response to, lethal violence.
Amen to that.
Posted: 15th, January 2015 | In: Reviews Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
