[Rentahamster]

I think the problem some are having is because it seems edgy, but really it's a spineless joke because it doesn't actually include Muhammad. I don't know, maybe too many years of 4Chan and SomethingAwful have completely warped my views, but I think it would be far more controversial and "edgy" if it actually included Muhammad along with all the other religious deities. As it stands it's still obeying the extremists' rules.

The piece is actually more edgy and clever because they didn't include him. If you don't understand why, then you don't get the joke. It's not just the image. It's the image and the accompanying commentary.

If they had just posted the image without the headline and commentary, then you miiiight have a point. Weakly.

[jaxword]

?

You really don't get the joke.

[789shadow]

I think the problem some are having is because it seems edgy, but really it's a spineless joke because it doesn't actually include Muhammad. I don't know, maybe too many years of 4Chan and SomethingAwful have completely warped my views, but I think it would be far more controversial and "edgy" if it actually included Muhammad along with all the other religious deities. As it stands it's still obeying the extremists' rules.

If it did include Mohammed, the title would have to be "Someone Was or Will Be Killed Because of this Image."

[SmokyDave]

?

Muslims lose their shit over petty stuff that other religious people are able to rise above.

[wsoxfan1214]

:lol

[DeadFalling]

Okay, so, correct me (again) if I'm wrong but this piece is NOT about protesting the ridiculousness of radical Islamist views nor about pushing any boundaries; It's only purpose is for a chuckle for the people who already view extremists as crazies (read: the entire rest of the world).

[Cyan]

I think the problem some are having is because it seems edgy, but really it's a spineless joke because it doesn't actually include Muhammad. I don't know, maybe too many years of 4Chan and SomethingAwful have completely warped my views, but I think it would be far more controversial and "edgy" if it actually included Muhammad along with all the other religious deities. As it stands it's still obeying the extremists' rules.

The problem some are having is that they want this to be a head-on attack on the chilling effect that's settled over western media regarding depictions of Mohammed.

And instead it's a joke.

[789shadow]

Okay, so, correct me (again) if I'm wrong but this piece is NOT about protesting the ridiculousness of radical Islamist views nor about pushing any boundaries; It's only purpose is for a chuckle for the people who already view extremists as crazies (read: the entire rest of the world).

Like running into a brick wall over and over again.

[jaxword]

Okay, so, correct me (again) if I'm wrong but this piece is NOT about protesting the ridiculousness of radical Islamist views nor about pushing any boundaries; It's only purpose is for a chuckle for the people who already view extremists as crazies (read: the entire rest of the world).

If they had shown Mohammad, Muslim extremists would kill someone or at least threaten to.

They showed other religious icons and there were no threats.

There is a reason why other religious groups are not immediately descending into threats and violence over a cartoon.

When you understand the reason, that is the joke.

If you don't get it by now, you must be trolling.

[Perspicacity]

I think the problem some are having is because it seems edgy, but really it's a spineless joke because it doesn't actually include Muhammad. I don't know, maybe too many years of 4Chan and SomethingAwful have completely warped my views, but I think it would be far more controversial and "edgy" if it actually included Muhammad along with all the other religious deities. As it stands it's still obeying the extremists' rules.

That would be "edgier" sure, but what the fuck would the joke be then?

[kittoo]

show it to anyone in india and watch what happens.

I did. And my reaction was exactly what onion said. Even though I did find it somewhat offensive (though not the intention behind it), I just shook my head and moved on.

I'm pretty sure someone in India will see it. And I'm FAIRLY sure they won't go around killing onions because of it.

You are right.

[Zefah]

Okay, so, correct me (again) if I'm wrong but this piece is NOT about protesting the ridiculousness of radical Islamist views nor about pushing any boundaries; It's only purpose is for a chuckle for the people who already view extremists as crazies (read: the entire rest of the world).

Post a picture insulting the Muslim prophet -> People *will* lose their shit, and at least one person will probably be murdered.

Post a picture insulting any other religious figure -> Most likely nothing will happen.

Think about these two things.

[DeadFalling]

The problem some are having is that they want this to be a head-on attack on the chilling effect that's settled over western media regarding depictions of Mohammed. And instead it's a joke.

OK that's exactly my problem. I genuinely thought it's supposed to be an attack on the media self-censorship but really it's just a joke. It's purpose is a giggle and not an actual provocation. Right this time?

[Beysus]

Is this how Adam and Eve were created?

[crazy monkey]

I did. And my reaction was exactly what onion said. Even though I did find it somewhat offensive (though not the intention behind it), I just shook my head and moved on. You are right.

ya you are the target audience. You would not say any thing here anyways fearing you will get unpopular. Print out the image put it on the board and show it in street of india. you know what it will cause. If tomorrow TOI runs the article with this image what do you think will happen?

[Carbonox_Ratchet]

This is amazing. :lol

[kittoo]

ya you are the target audience. You would not say any thing here anyways fearing you will get unpopular. Print out the image put it on the board and show it in street of india. you know what it will cause. If tomorrow TOI runs the article with this image what do you think will happen?

While I didnt say what I said for the fear of being unpopular, I will agree that you do have some point.
Then again, I dont think anyone will disagree with the fact that there will be world of difference between responses of Muslims (if it had Muhammad) and people of other religions.

[Dr.Guru of Peru]

I did. And my reaction was exactly what onion said. Even though I did find it somewhat offensive (though not the intention behind it), I just shook my head and moved on. You are right.

I think anyone than denies that such a depiction of Ganesh would cause anything less than mass outrage in India is either a blind nationalist or oblivious to the mentality of most Indians. This image hardly counts as a litmus test, since a) the Onion isn't a site that most of the rabble in India frequent and b) the intent behind the image is obvious to those who do frequent the site.

And yeah, there would probably be a few buildings lit on fire.

[echoshifting]

I saw this on facebook about an hour ago and fucking lost it. Glad to see gaf is on top of things. So goddamn brilliant.

[kittoo]

I think anyone than denies that such a depiction of Ganesh would cause anything less than mass outrage in India is either a blind nationalist or oblivious to the mentality of most Indians. This image hardly counts as a litmus test, since a) the Onion isn't a site that most of the rabble in India frequent and b) the intent behind the image is obvious to those who do frequent the site. And yeah, there would probably be a few buildings lit on fire and bodies on the street.

See the post above.
And I REALLY doubt there will be bodies on streets.

[Muffdraul]

OK that's exactly my problem. I genuinely thought it's supposed to be an attack on the media self-censorship but really it's just a joke. It's purpose is a giggle and not an actual provocation. Right this time?

It's not just a joke. It's calling out Muslim extremism for its terrorism, violence, and murders over merely being offended. If you're just going to dismiss that point out of hand, well, that's very convenient.

One of the real issues with this whole situation is that many moderate non-extremist Muslims are so hesitant to admonish their own extremists, making it seem as if they tacitly support them. To me, that's the bottom line on what the Onion did here.

[effingvic]

It's not just a joke. It's calling out Muslim extremism. If you're just going to dismiss that point out of hand, well, that's convenient. One of the real issues with this whole situation is that non-extremist Muslims are so hesitant to admonish their own extremists, tacitly supporting them. To me, that's the bottom line on what the Onion did here.

what the fuck is this?

[Muffdraul]

what the fuck is this?

Edited to make it less sweeping and general. Still a real issue on the world stage. You can deny it, I won't.

[Johnny Cage In The Shower]

So has there been any incidents/backlash due to this comic? I'm actually curious to see, if the message of the joke/article does hold up, or backfires.

[effingvic]

Edited to make it less sweeping and general. Still a real issue on the world stage. You can deny it, I won't.

muslims have been condemning violence and terrorism for years now, most recently the embassy attacks. however stuff like this rarely gets adequate time in the news. always saying that moderates never speak out is one of those tired tropes people keep using to lump all billion of us as violent extremists ready to blow shit up on cue

[Cyan]

So has there been any incidents/backlash due to this comic? I'm actually curious to see, if the message of the joke/article does hold up, or backfires.

Nothing yet. But apparently India's going to blow up any time now.

[SniperHunter]

holy shit

[Muffdraul]

muslims have been condemning violence and terrorism for years now, most recently the embassy attacks. however stuff like this rarely gets adequate time in the news. always saying that moderates never speak out is one of those tired tropes people keep using to lump all billion of us as violent extremists ready to blow shit up on cue

It's more about the leaders and spokespersons than the average everyday folk, I suppose.

[Femmeworth]

Quite possibly the greatest piece of artwork that our species will ever produce.

[Santiako]

holy shit

That's what Ganesha's arm is going to be covered in.

[SniperHunter]

I did. And my reaction was exactly what onion said. Even though I did find it somewhat offensive (though not the intention behind it), I just shook my head and moved on.

He was right though, it would rile up the RSS and BJP party people. And both groups cater to the poor and uneducated which is a majority of India.

That's what Ganesha's arm is going to be covered in.

hahaha

[les papillons sexuels]

muslims have been condemning violence and terrorism for years now, most recently the embassy attacks. however stuff like this rarely gets adequate time in the news. always saying that moderates never speak out is one of those tired tropes people keep using to lump all billion of us as violent extremists ready to blow shit up on cue

oh yay, pictures of people holding signs

Why dont they actually do something to stop them instead of just holding poorly made signs?

[Devolution]

oh yay, pictures of people holding signs Why dont they actually do something to stop them instead of just holding poorly made signs?

lol

[Muffdraul]

oh yay, pictures of people holding signs

It's actually a pretty big deal, relatively speaking. effingvic is totally right, they should get more coverage. I never see that sort of thing.

[Truant]

Let women and children handle the angry mob, muslims. It's the least you could do.

[Kayo-kun]

I love how people are talking about a population of 1.5 billion as a small homogeneous little group.

[echoshifting]

I love how people are talking about a population of 1.5 billion as a small homogeneous little group.

Would you mind being more specific yourself? There are about 1.6 billion Muslims in the world and approximately 1.3 billion people living in India. We are having conversations about both, and rounding up excessively would not be an uncommon error. Also, it seems like the conversation is growing less homogenous to me, not more, so perhaps you could point to a specific post or two you have a problem with?

edit: my mistake, 1.2 bil in India, so you are probably talking about Muslims, but specifics would still be appreciated for the sake of conversation and debate. gaffers are not a homogenous group! ;)

[OriginalNameGuy]

Should have taken the warning seriously. Gonna have to block that image out of my mind somehow

[Kayo-kun]

Would you mind being more specific yourself? There are about 1.6 billion Muslims in the world and approximately 1.3 billion people living in India. We are having conversations about both, and rounding up excessively would not be an uncommon error. Also, it seems like the conversation is growing less homogenous to me, not more, so perhaps you could point to a specific post or two you have a problem with? edit: my mistake, 1.2 bil in India, so you are probably talking about Muslims, but specifics would still be appreciated for the sake of conversation and debate. gaffers are not a homogenous group! ;)

People keep mentioning Muslims right and left (in this thread and the other ones about this subject) and I get the feeling that most people are making huge generalizations. There is a reason why specific countries like Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Sudan, Yemen etc. have reacted this way against the US/Western embassies/companies. There have been civil unrest in every single one of these countries and US/Western powers have had a significant role in this, both during the Arab spring, or historically. Simply put, this is the breaking point for these people and most of them have a huge dislike against the US/West. The video just triggered some of these people to regroup and take a stand.

You don't see people burning US embassies in Albania, Turkey, Malaysia, Morocco etc. which are majority muslim countries.

[~Devil Trigger~]

so...should...

we protest in front of the White House for this?

[Kalnos]

There are about 1.6 billion Muslims in the world

It's probably hard to tell just how many since a lot of the countries report 100% IIRC.

[godelsmetric]

Buddha likes being pegged with a fist huh. Welp found my religion.

Pegging with a fist is just fisting, sis.

[Kayo-kun]

It's probably hard to tell just how many since a lot of the countries report 100% IIRC.

No, not really. There are only 4 "100%" Muslim countries and they are probably close to 100% even if that percentage isn't quite accurate.

[shinobi602]

For a forum that claims to be tolerant of all people, races and religions dont you think this in an unwise post. I assume we do have religious people on GAF of all faiths that probably find this pretty hurtful even coming from the onion. Very bad taste to post this here IMO.

Lol, your first mistake is assuming this forum is equally tolerant.

[maquiladora]

The Onion 1 : People who take ancient fictions seriously 0

[SteveWinwood]

So has there been any incidents/backlash due to this comic? I'm actually curious to see, if the message of the joke/article does hold up, or backfires.

Why would there be?

[jchap]

Didn't southpark make the same joke like 4 or 5 years ago

[Count Dookkake]

Can an arm really go in that far

God willing.

[Johnny Cage In The Shower]

Why would there be?

Haha What?

Why not?

I donno it's a religiously offensive cartoon...

Is it so shocking to wonder if a religious group somewhere is offended by this?


You sound so confident in your "why? "Kinda weird.

[Cyan]

Is it so shocking to wonder if a religious group somewhere is offended by this?

Of course some people are offended. There are people in this very thread who were offended. Since the point of the article was about violent reprisals, the question isn't whether some people were offended, it's whether there have been violent reprisals.

You sound so confident in your "why? "Kinda weird.

Why's it weird?