RE: 2012

As a Christian I do not find images of the Vatican or Christ the Redeemer being destroyed offensive in the slightest. In light of this, and the fact that I believe freedom of expression is the single greatest right we possess, I believe the director was wrong in choosing not to show the Kaaba being destroyed in a movie about “the end of the world.” I would imagine that the vast majority of Muslims around the world would be able to differentiate between an extremely distasteful and offensive depiction of Muhammad with a bomb on his head, and a fictional movie that depicts the end of days(?).

While religion is certainly a topic that calls for greater care in its discussion/depiction out of respect for the individual believer, at the same time, we must also respect the individual right to freedom of expression. As my roommate said, “Was I angry when racist images of Muhammad were depicted in a Dutch newspaper? Yes I was angry. But that doesn’t mean that I wished that he would suffer personal injury or be killed.”