Sunday, March 05, 2006
A Little Disappointed
Okay, so the buzz on the street lately is the utterly offensive cartoon published in this week's Sheaf. I have not the stomach to reproduce it here, so I will direct you to The Sheaf to see for yourself (it's in Section A, page 16). I warn you, however, that it is offensive in almost every way, and to Christians in particular. I don't really know what to say or what should be done, but I think that the letter to all U of S students from U of S President Peter MacKinnon demanding a public apology is a correct move. For more opinion and perspective, check out Dave's blog, Jeremy Warren's blog, or Caitlin's blog. I know that Caitlin is more than a little affected by this whole ordeal, as she is both reporter for the Sheaf and a Christian, and I can say that I empathize.
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5 comments:
Yes, the cartoon is in poor taste. Just like 80% of decent humour out there. Obviously, the only thing I'm personally offended by in the cartoon is the portrayl of capitalists as "pigs", but I am not a religious person. I do think that people get offended way too easily, though. Chill out. However, the Sheaf took the spineless position not to publish the very newsworthy Muhammed cartoons, and the fact they would publish this one, knowning it will inflame some readers, does reek of a double standard. This is the state of political correctness - you can't say anything to offend Muslism, but can rip the Christians a new one. The Sheaf should have published both. My final point is that although many Christians are very offended by this cartoon, I highly doubt that any riots will be started, the Sheaf offices burned, or death threats to the cartoonists. How refreshing.
Yeah, I'm cool. It does seem hypocritical to produce this one and not the other one, especially when it seems accidental instead of actually making a point. And the worst part of it? It's not even funny. Maybe we should storm the New Yorker.
The idea that Jesus might have been gay has been spoken of in many Christian religous circles for awhile now. This cartoon I think passes on its comment that Jesus was a gay man. I think that is an irrelevant discussion in any regard. But why would we be worried that Jesus might be gay? Or are we thinking that Jesus can only be heterosexual, or not sexual at all? Jesus' sexuality is interesting and a way for us to discuss our own sexuality in a faith based way. Actaually I am more offended by the fact that it is the capitalist piglet who is the partner. Maybe it is more a comment on how Westernized Christianity has been co-opted by capitalism that is the obscenity. The cartoon shows how Jesus is made to be suibservient somehow. That is not the truth. Jesus is never subservient to the powers of capitalism. It is the church that has become subservient, not Jesus.
But I agree with Scott and Garry that the cartoon is in poor taste, and kind of stupid. Poorly drawn too. The fact that Christians might take this drawing in stride either says we are more tolerant than those other guys, or it says we are complacent. Which?
Thanks for the chance to comment.
Truth be known, I didn't find it particularly offensive. In bad taste, yes, but not offensive to me. I do agree with Jeremy, though, that it's more than a little hypocritical to preach tolerance one week and print this the next. Too bad. I might lose the best toilet paper on campus.
I myself found the cartoon to be particularly in bad taste and even offensive. As someone raised in a Christian home I can safely say that the majority of Christians would find this cartoon abhorring.
It’s true that some ppl get offended to easily, but I have to say that, imo, this crosses the line. To me this isn’t about a religious group being tolerant of other’s rights to express themselves. It's an issue of respect. People want to their beliefs and opinions respected. I think that if it’s considered important to be tolerant and respectful of other religions or other ppl’s way of life, then why shouldn’t the same respect be applied to Christian’s or Muslims. The cartoon’s overtones are extremely offensive to Christian’s and the life that the Bible teaches. This is not to say that I agree with everything that the Bible dictates, I’m just making the point that many very disrespectful suggestions were used in this cartoon.
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