Pope Francis Speaks Out on Charlie Hebdo: ‘One Cannot Make Fun of Faith’

[fatman17]

For Pope Francis, there are limits to free speech.

The Holy Father spoke to journalists in a broad interview on the papal flight to the Philippines about the Charlie Hebdo massacre and the controversy about the magazine’s new cover this week. Religious freedom and freedom of expression, he said, are fundamental human rights. But they are also not a total liberties. “There is a limit,” he said, speaking in Italian. “Every religion has its dignity. I cannot mock a religion that respects human life and the human person.”


He broke it down in everyday terms, something that is coming to be known as classic Francis teaching style. “If [a close friend] says a swear word against my mother, he’s going to get a punch in the nose,” he explained. “One cannot provoke, one cannot insult other people’s faith, one cannot make fun of faith.”

His words come as he leaves Sri Lanka, on a trip that focused on inter-religious harmony and inclusion. The Pope made an impromptu visit to a Buddhist temple, home of the Buddhist monk Banagala Upatissa, and he paused to listen and meditate as the monk offered a prayer. That move, along with his comments on the plane, again show his interest in interfaith engagement.

Twelve people were killed last week at the Charlie Hebdo headquarters in Paris. The satirical magazine was known for its controversial cartoons featuring the Prophet Mohammed.

Pope Francis on 'Charlie Hebdo': "One Cannot Make Fun of Faith"

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the pope is correct.

 

[Star Wars]

Because faith is funny. Yes you have the freedom to be downright hateful or bigoted to anyone or any group.
Folks can take you to court though. That is their right as well. This is civilized discourse.

A lot of things are funny. But I really don't find any civility in intentional abuse and insult and dehumanizing entire society of certain faiths. Though some liberals don't even want people to be taken to court.

 

[SarthakGanguly]

A lot of things are funny. But I really don't find any civility in intentional abuse and insult and dehumanizing entire society of certain faiths. Though some liberals don't even want people to be taken to court.

Well, I am not a libta... err, I mean a liberal. You find it not funny. I find some funny, some not.
The Church has a lot of skeletons in its closet. It is understandable why they want folks to not look.
So yes - you can mock for mocking sake. but you can be sued/fined if you cross the line(differs from country to country). NOT KILLED.

 

[Star Wars]

Well, I am not a libta... err, I mean a liberal. You find it not funny. I find some funny, some not.
The Church has a lot of skeletons in its closet. It is understandable why they want folks to not look.
So yes - you can mock for mocking sake. but you can be sued/fined if you cross the line(differs from country to country). NOT KILLED.

Of course , as i said earlier criticism is a must and there are skeletons(some nasty ones) but i am against abuse for the sake of abusing.

 

[AUSTERLITZ]

There is nothing independent about mocking, insulting and making fun of someone's believes. That's like calling a black the "N" word and claiming to have an independent thought process. Constructive criticism is independent thought process. Insulting for the sake of insulting s the incredibly stupid.

Difference.Race is something one is born with,he can in no manner influence it or its a choice,nor is it something that seeks to convert others to its cause .Prejudice in this case can only be called blind because its irrational.Race is not an idea..its a natural fact.
A religion is an idea,usually with a set of rules and regulations and code of conduct and that seeks to spread .Since its an idea -one thats actively trying to spread,it is fully rational that people may disagree with its tenets and personalities and their activities and voice their open criticism.
That said i always thought these cartoons were just stunts to get easy money by needling people and unnecessary,but that can't take away the fact religions can't demand all criticism and satire on them be forcibly banned.
Any idea in a free society is open to criticism.Full stop.Religious authorities and devotees have full rights to denounce their criticizers and spite them back,word for word,satire for satire.No one is stopping them.
What is not on..is you take out a kalashnikov and gun him down because you dislike what he says.Thats medieval tribal society mentality.

 

[Guynextdoor2]

I don't care about what you stand by or not, it matters not to me if you go into Heaven or Hell, what I want is the answer to my question, which you obviously ignored in your ignorant state of mind.


If your attacking sacred symbols and in the case of Charlie, a human being was criticized, what would you say than?

What if someone came up to you and insulted Gandhi, you mom/dad or anyone dear to you? Would you yell "Freedom of Speech"!!! And move on? If so, that's quite pathetic and weak.


No ones saying that you can't criticize a faith, just don't insult it. If you have nothing better to say, just keep your mouth shut. Also, no one has to obey, that's just either your bias or propaganda, you can choose whatever life style you want to, no one's stopping you or wanting to take "FULL CONTROL" over you.

If someone says something about Gandhi, we IGNORE it. Don't matter what they say, his reputation is not built on his image. And if image takes a battering, it will revive on its own. Maybe that's the attitude you should take with the Prophet too. If someone told me anything about my parents, sure I'd beat the living daylights out of them, but I'd never kill them for it. Besides, that's not religion- religion is belief and people can question or even ridicule belief, they have the right to.

 

[Star Wars]

Difference.Race is something one is born with,he can in no manner influence it or its a choice,nor is it something that seeks to convert others to its cause .Prejudice in this case can only be called blind because its irrational.Race is not an idea..its a natural fact.
A religion is an idea,usually with a set of rules and regulations and code of conduct and that seeks to spread .Since its an idea -one thats actively trying to spread,it is fully rational that people may disagree with its tenets and personalities and their activities and voice their open criticism.
That said i always thought these cartoons were just stunts to get easy money by needling people and unnecessary,but that can't take away the fact religions can't demand all criticism and satire on them be forcibly banned.
Any idea in a free society is open to criticism.Full stop.Religious authorities and devotees have full rights to denounce their criticizers and spite them back,word for word,satire for satire.No one is stopping them.
What is not on..is you take out a kalashnikov and gun him down because you dislike what he says.Thats medieval tribal society mentality.

Am confused as to why you are saying these things to me. Did you not understand my post ?
Constructive criticism is good but "Kill all Islamic mther f**k*g b**t**ds" is not constructive criticism..

 

[AUSTERLITZ]

Am confused as to why you are saying these things to me. Did you not understand my post ?
Constructive criticism is good but "Kill all Islamic mther f**k*g b**t**ds" is not constructive criticism..

Did i say ever 'kill ANYONE' is alright?Its a threat not 'freedom of speech'.
I said all ideas are open to satire and criticism in a free society.And u can reply in kind with satire and criticism to your hearts content.Now if its closed society,sure ban as much as u want.But in open society u have to get around the fact that not everyone will submit to,respect or revere ur ideology.
Death threats,murder with ak-47s is NOT on.

 

[FCPX]

No one in their right mind can condone killing of innocent people but at the same time in my personal opinion freedom of speech comes with responsibility and one of those should be not to insult people's religious beliefs and practices.

What the Pope said is absolutely correct and it should not be mixed with the recent terrorist attacks, he never said killing of innocents is justified.

Two wrongs don't make a right.

 

[Star Wars]

Did i say ever 'kill ANYONE' is alright?Its a threat not 'freedom of speech'.
I said all ideas are open to satire and criticism in a free society.And u can reply in kind with satire and criticism to your hearts content.Now if its closed society,sure ban as much as u want.But in open society u have to get around the fact that not everyone will submit to,respect or revere ur ideology.
Death threats,murder with ak-47s is NOT on.

My point was to those people who wanted the freedom to openly insult and abuse religion. Which i am very much against criticism and satire should be part of every part of life and society not only riligion

 

[Tipu7]

fuk the pope, free speech forever !

simple
fuk the free speeachers.................those who spread hate and result in violance.....

 

[VCheng]

Ok, does that mean you should insult and mock somebodies personal believes for the sake of it ?

Religion as personal belief is to be respected. Religion as an organized system of controlling society and as a tool for controlling thought is not. There is a distinct difference.

 

[punit]

how about mocking some one family? like making fun of some one mother or father? and making fun of race? country?

abuse back .. but no one should have right to kill.

Look at the insults being said about the Pope just because he said something to support muslims. If something is said to support Islam then it is not freedom of speech.

relax .. no will kill him.

 

[Tipu7]

abuse back?
th

abuse back .. but no one should have right to kill.


relax .. no will kill him.

is is non sense..............answer hate with hate is not solution...............better the first person avoid to do such thing........he is too blame why he abused the parents of some one?? same rule is applied here........rule of humanity!

 

[punit]

abuse back?
th

is is non sense..............answer hate with hate is not solution...............better the first person avoid to do such thing........he is too blame why he abused the parents of some one?? same rule is applied here........rule of humanity!

abuse back in the worst case scenario!! people should be sensitive to each others .