Depiction Problem

I think that the distinction you draw is useful, but I also think that any depiction of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is deeply offensive to Muslims. You are quite right that I introduced you to Super Best Friends; my views on the subject have changed since then, and today I am offended by that depiction. In other words, I think that it was wrong for me to find that depiction acceptable, even humurous. The reaction is visceral; it has to do with the core belief held by Muslims that the Prophet was the Perfect Man, in fact the reason the universe was created. Hence, any depiction of him, forbidden by Hadith, is wrong.

This brings us to the far more difficult question of what, if any, the permissible limits of free discourse are in a society such as ours, and what, if any, response Muslims should have to depictions of the Prophet. I will start with the second question, since that is the easier one to answer. As far as I am concerned, there is no need to take any affirmative steps to rectify such depictions; the honor of the Prophet is God's concern, and no amount of energy I or any other Muslim can expend will do any good. Unfortunately, this is not the tack taken by alot of Muslims; hence, the protests, effigy burnings, attacks etc. As for the first question, I think that creators of entertainment shows should consider the impact of their art on other people's faith. Should they not be allowed to do things that offend people, no matter how deeply? No. Should they boast about pushing people's buttons when doing so seems to serve no purpose beyond giving offense? I don't think that contributes anything to our collective wisdom. Is it funny? That is certainly in the eye of the beholder.

On the other hand, floats with burqas or mullahs, while they may be offensive to some, because people will invariably be offended by things, are different in kind. One cannot simply say that all "religious" things are the same, that there is no line to be drawn because some nutjob will always be offended by some things. There are a core of things for which a certain amount of respect is appropriate, and that line can be drawn fairly narrowly. Is there a fuzzy area? Surely, but that does not militate against the line-drawing exercise per se. We will all be better served by a conversation where we recognize that there is something between all or nothing.