I am not an artist. Not even a good doodler. But every year I scribble out something for Everyone Draw Mohammed Day. Some people on Facebook have responded with comments about respecting others’ views. I’ve never responded. I wanted the drawings to be the statement and to not get bogged down in explanations and opinion wars.
Today, I want to add some words to my my most recent drawing.
I have a deep fundamental belief that everyone has a right to their beliefs. This is at the core of what separates us from the animals — we can form and hold beliefs that are bigger than us, that existed long before our births and will continue long after our deaths. Beliefs span generations while binding them together. Beliefs give rise to new nations, new ideas, and progress.
Whatever your belief, I respect and treasure your right to hold it. I will gladly fight for your right to hold it. I strive to be an informed voter who votes for people and policy that will protect that right. As the old saying goes, “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
That said, not all beliefs are good beliefs. Not all generation spanning beliefs are equal. Not all deeply held religious beliefs are rational or beneficial. And I demand the right to call out any belief, held by any group or person, as being hurtful, destructive, repressive, or just silly. I willingly extend to you the same right. Blaspheme my God. Ridicule my beliefs. Destroy my arguments.
Freedom is messy. Freedom can be impolite and politically incorrect. I do not recognize a right to not have one’s feelings hurt. And I believe that every man or woman should be able to take a joke at their expense or criticism of their beliefs with civility. Respond, rebut, discuss, refute. And respect the right of others to disagree with you.
I extend that expectation, not only to every civilized person on the planet, but to anyone’s god. If your god can’t take a joke or weather criticism, your god is a wuss — and not worthy of respect or devotion.
The right to criticize is what allows us truly examine ourselves and others, our beliefs and those of others. Image if we were unable to criticize our leaders — because they were thought to be above criticism. We would never be able to progress or self-correct as a society.
Working for, in the name of, or under the inspiration of their various religions, people have done great and remarkable things. Created and pushed civilization forward. But men have done tremendous evil in the name of their religions as well. Horrible and vile things done because someone believed it would serve their religion or glorify their god.
Just as being able to criticize leaders is vital, so is the ability to criticize religious beliefs and practices. If one (or multiple) religion is held above criticism, it quickly gains political and societal power. And power must always be questioned, critiqued, and criticized or tyranny follows.
This is, I believe, why the framers placed Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Speech together in the same Amendment. If I can’t call into question the beliefs of the dominant religion, how can I be free to believe and live one in the minority?
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
We forget that much of the world does not hold these rights sacred.
Today, in 2015, people are imprisoned or put to death for believing the wrong thing or criticizing the protected thing.
So why do I draw Mohammed?
I respect your right to hold Mohammed sacred. I respect your right to believe that drawing a representation of Mohammed is blasphemy. I will not force you live by my beliefs. I will not be forced to live by yours.
Believe, reverence, worship, venerate what you will. I will not have my beliefs dictated to me by anyone, any where, in any position.
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Feel free to post your pictures of Mohammed below.