Prof. Pam's Religion Blog » Protests

South Park censorship

PH — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 19:03:00 +0000

I have to thank my baby Gators for introducing me to South Park some time ago. I have to confess that I only look at it when it’s involved in some newsworthy event. And, boy, this one sure counts. I did manage to see part one of the Muhammad episode online and was looking forward to viewing part two. I found the Super Friends part to be hilarious, but I certainly understand why some people would find it insulting to their religion.

You can see a clip from part one here.

Should Comedy Central have “caved” and censored the show? I don’t think so. Here’s Comedy Central’s thinking on it:

The network may have felt it had no choice after revolutionmuslim.com, the website of a fringe group, delivered a grim warning about the previous week’s episode, which seemed to depict Muhammad dressed as a bear. “We have to warn Matt and Trey that what they are doing is stupid and they will probably windup like Theo Van Gogh for airing this show,” the posting said. A photo of Van Gogh’s body lying in the street was included with the posting. “This is not a threat, but a warning of the reality of what will likely happen to them.”

Here’s a very brief account of what happened to Van Gogh (yes, he was related to that Van Gogh) in 2004.

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Suicides in India

PH — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 05:23:05 +0000

Another epidemic it seems. This time of “genuine” suicides as opposed to “suicide bombers”.

“Young people see this as a way to give meaning to what seem like meaningless lives,” said Sudhir Kakar, a prominent psychoanalyst and novelist who has written extensively about mental health in India. “It is a way to become a hero, to take a stand.”

Suicide is generally considered taboo in Hinduism, the religion of most Indians, because it disrupts the cycle of reincarnation that is central to the soul’s progress, Mr. Kakar said.

But the willingness to die for a cause, as exemplified by Gandhi’s epic fasts during the struggle for independence, is seen as noble and worthy. Ancient warriors in Tamil Nadu, in southeastern India, would commit suicide if their commander was killed, Mr. Kakar said. And the practice of sati, or widow burning, although outlawed, remains a potent symbol of wifely devotion.

In modern, democratic India, however, such drastic measures seem like a bizarre and troubling throwback that has shattered many families.

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SF response to Westboro Church

PH — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 04:52:30 +0000

Someone told me that they were in town. They were protesting at the Twitter HQ. Glad to see the Bay Area respond with an “in kind” protest. Apparently they were going to protest in front of the theater where Fiddler on the Roof was being performed. Sometimes I wish I could get inside their twisted theology, but I’d rather not go there. Laughing Squid posted the details:

Westboro Baptist Church showed up to protest in front of Twitter’s San Francisco office on Thursday, but found themselves severely outnumbered by a crowd of absurdist pranksters, including guest blogger EDW Lynch above.

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