By Joe Niemiec
Talk about a hot topic, even the pope has weighed in! “Francis insisted that it was an “aberration” to kill in the name of God and said religion can never be used to justify violence…But he said there was a limit to free speech when it concerned offending someone’s religious beliefs.”
When does being “offensive” justify violence? The pope, in the same article, said if you insulted his mother you would get punched. I understand this, and in polite society one would not insult someone’s mother, but does being offensive of one’s religion justify killing or violence of any kind?
Does one religion have the right to impose its beliefs on another, especially as the world becomes smaller and more global in experience? I remember (and it is continuing) the fights over having nativity scenes in publicly-owned areas, having prayer in school, and at public meetings. I totally understand a Muslim not wanting a picture of Mohammad in their home or mosque; do they have the right to police my home or a paper I may wish to buy? When in your spiritual home, I will do my best not to insult you; but do not ask me a direct question and then not expect to receive an honest response.
For me, this all goes back to the argument that anger and, therefore, violence are part of the “human nature” and will never change.
