# The case of Zombie Muhammad vs. the Offended Muslim Guy

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-of-zombie-muhammad-vs-the-offended-muslim-guy/613971>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [February 25, 2012, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-of-zombie-muhammad-vs-the-offended-muslim-guy/613971 "2012-02-25T16:58:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 5

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-of-zombie-muhammad-vs-the-offended-muslim-guy/613971/81 "2012-02-27T15:41:46Z")

</div>

> [@magellan01](#):
>
> [For your viewing pleasure:](http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/iran-military-official-only-burning-white-house-can-make-up-for-burning-koran-1.414765#.T0k-5XriQww.facebook) emphasis mine)

Yeah, I’d want to find anything I could to change the subject too.

CMC fnord!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-of-zombie-muhammad-vs-the-offended-muslim-guy/613971/82 "2012-02-27T18:44:31Z")

</div>

> [@Acsenray](#):
>
> What percentage of assaults in the United States do not involve Muslims?
> 
> What percentage of assaults in the United States that originate in religious disputes do not involve Muslims?

Well, don’t keep us in suspense. Tell us.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-of-zombie-muhammad-vs-the-offended-muslim-guy/613971/83 "2012-02-27T18:56:18Z")

</div>

If I had known, I wouldn’t have asked. But I figure that anyone concluding that Islam is incompatible with modern civilization would have at least a rough idea.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-of-zombie-muhammad-vs-the-offended-muslim-guy/613971/84 "2012-02-27T19:10:00Z")

</div>

> [@tomndebb](#):
>
> Please pay attention to which of your opponents you are insulting. While you will get away with shortening **Inbred Mm Domesticus** to “Inbred,” using that term to address Ibn Warraq is against the rules.
> 
> [/Moderating]

I didn’t know I had miss-addressed anyone. My apologies if I did.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-of-zombie-muhammad-vs-the-offended-muslim-guy/613971/85 "2012-02-27T19:51:27Z")

</div>

> [@magellan01](#):
>
> I didn’t know I had miss-addressed anyone. My apologies if I did.

So then the “Inbred” was directed at me?😕

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-of-zombie-muhammad-vs-the-offended-muslim-guy/613971/86 "2012-02-27T20:40:55Z")

</div>

> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#):
>
> So then the “Inbred” was directed at me?😕

No, absolutely not. I **Tom** was pointed out that I inadvertently addressed you as “Inbred”, when I thought I was responding to **Inbred Mm domesticus**. My last was saying that doing so was a mistake and that I apologize.

And I apologize, again, here. Sorry for the mistake. It does seem like one in which easy to see what happened.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-of-zombie-muhammad-vs-the-offended-muslim-guy/613971/87 "2012-02-27T23:01:27Z")

</div>

> [@Inbred\_Mm\_domesticus](#):
>
> Wow, I’ve seen a lot of moderator warnings on not insulting people but this is the first making it clear that there is means for it to be perfectly okay to be insulting toward a poster. I look forward to more than just **FinnAgain** and **magellan01** being insulting. Thanks!

Shortening usernames is a pretty common mode of address across this board. That you happened to pick a username which, when shortened, becomes an insult is unfortunate, but hardly unforeseen.

I will take up your case with the rest of the staff.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-of-zombie-muhammad-vs-the-offended-muslim-guy/613971/88 "2012-02-27T23:06:44Z")

</div>

> [@Inbred\_Mm\_domesticus](#):
>
> I look forward to more than just **FinnAgain** and **magellan01** being insulting.

Neat, and I haven’t even posted in this thread.  
I, too, would like to lodge a serious and quite upset complaint about people calling me “Finn”. I have no idea why anybody might do so, but obviously I am not Finnish and this has got to stop!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2012, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-of-zombie-muhammad-vs-the-offended-muslim-guy/613971/89 "2012-02-28T00:26:46Z")

</div>

> [@FinnAgain](#):
>
> Neat, and I haven’t even posted in this thread.  
> I, too, would like to lodge a serious and quite upset complaint about people calling me “Finn”. I have no idea why anybody might do so, but obviously I am not Finnish and this has got to stop!

Indeed! Add me to the list of those needing to file a formal complaint. I’ve had to suffer the indignity of being referred to as “magellan”, not to mention “mags”, “maggie”, and I can’t remember the others. It was too hurtful.

Sob.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2012, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-of-zombie-muhammad-vs-the-offended-muslim-guy/613971/90 "2012-02-28T01:22:34Z")

</div>

> [@crowmanyclouds](#):
>
> _Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain._
> 
> Oh, yeah, there is that. Ya know, both religions being based on a god who wasn’t particularly fond of blasphemy. So, yeah, totally different.
> 
> CMC fnord!

Show me a cite where Jesus murdered people for blasphemy.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![tullsterx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\
**Post date:** [March 1, 2012, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-of-zombie-muhammad-vs-the-offended-muslim-guy/613971/91 "2012-03-01T18:04:36Z")

</div>

> [@John\_Mace](#):
>
> Wow. That’s just nuts. Obviously the judge is wrong. But “Parading Atheists” would be a great band name!

Well they might be able to open for “ZOMBIE MUHAMMAD!” they kick arse!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\
**Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-of-zombie-muhammad-vs-the-offended-muslim-guy/613971/92 "2012-03-02T19:28:55Z")

</div>

> [@Marley23](#):
>
> I actually have come to the reluctant conclusion over the last couple of years that a lot of liberals are a bit too quick to write off some of the deeper problems with Islam in the name of pluralism.

QFT!! I consider myself a liberal Democrat because on 95% of issues, I line up with other liberals. But this is a huge blind spot, couldn’t agree more. I wonder really whether some Muslims must privately laugh at liberals for being so willing to stick their necks out for a group whose philosophy is so very at odds with liberalism in almost every way. And it’s not as though they keep their philosophy to themselves: more egregiously even than evangelical Christians (which is saying something), they have time and again sought political power and then used that power to enforce their religious doctrine on everyone (or at least on everyone who was born into a Muslim family, whether or not they actually want to continue in that faith when they reach majority).

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\
**Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-of-zombie-muhammad-vs-the-offended-muslim-guy/613971/93 "2012-03-02T19:39:21Z")

</div>

I’m going to need you guys to clarify what you mean by “deeper problems with Islam,” in particular, why use the word “deeper” here?

I’ve known many Muslims, each one a bleeding heart pluralist liberal to the core. Are you saying that in some sense, in some “deep” sense, they’re not really connected to the Muslim tradition in some way? They’re shallow muslims, or something?

I don’t really understand what you mean and I’d appreciate clarification.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\
**Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-of-zombie-muhammad-vs-the-offended-muslim-guy/613971/94 "2012-03-02T20:00:25Z")

</div>

> [@Marley23](#):
>
> And I actually have come to the reluctant conclusion over the last couple of years that a lot of liberals are a bit too quick to write off some of the deeper problems with Islam in the name of pluralism.

What are the “deeper problems” of Islam that “liberals” are “writing off”?

I ask because amongst other things I see just the opposite.

I see many liberals who would soil themselves in anger if someone pushed a law forbidding Jewish school students from wearing Yarmulkas applauding France’s bigoted laws regarding the Hijab or Quebec’s similar anti-Burqa iniative.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\
**Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-of-zombie-muhammad-vs-the-offended-muslim-guy/613971/95 "2012-03-02T20:03:02Z")

</div>

> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#):
>
> What are the “deeper problems” of Islam that “liberals” are “writing off”?

I think they’re sometimes too quick in playing the religious equivalence card and they’re a bit too quick in excusing extremist reactions to people exercising their rights to free speech.

> [@](#):
>
> I see many liberals who would soil themselves in anger if someone pushed a law forbidding Jewish school students from wearing Yarmulkas applauding France’s bigoted laws regarding the Hijab or Quebec’s similar anti-Burqa iniative.

I agree, and I think those laws are transparent attempts to persecute Muslims.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\
**Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-of-zombie-muhammad-vs-the-offended-muslim-guy/613971/96 "2012-03-02T20:04:14Z")

</div>

> [@Marley23](#):
>
> I think they’re sometimes too quick in playing the religious equivalence card and they’re a bit too quick in excusing extremist reactions to people exercising their rights to free speech.  
> I agree, and I think those laws are transparent attempts to persecute Muslims.

Me three.

But why do you call “extremist reactions to people exercising their rights to free speech” “deeper problems with Islam?” Why do you think such reactions are Islamic _in a deep sense_? What do you mean by this exactly?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\
**Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-of-zombie-muhammad-vs-the-offended-muslim-guy/613971/97 "2012-03-02T20:17:09Z")

</div>

> [@Frylock](#):
>
> But why do you call “extremist reactions to people exercising their rights to free speech” “deeper problems with Islam?” Why do you think such reactions are Islamic _in a deep sense_? What do you mean by this exactly?

I think we’ve seen enough of this kind of thing - people rioting over Qurans being burned, people getting killed for writing or publishing the wrong thing - on such a scale that it can’t be treated as a blip or something that’s common to all religions. From what I cansee, this is really a bigger deal in Islam as a religion and it means a significant number of Muslims need to get with the times.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\
**Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-of-zombie-muhammad-vs-the-offended-muslim-guy/613971/98 "2012-03-02T20:23:03Z")

</div>

> [@Marley23](#):
>
> I think they’re sometimes too quick in playing the religious equivalence card and they’re a bit too quick in excusing extremist reactions to people exercising their rights to free speech.

What do you mean by “playing the religious equivalence card”? The Abrahamic religions are effectively equal. Can you give some examples.

Also I’ve yet to see anyone excuse “extremist reactions”.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\
**Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-of-zombie-muhammad-vs-the-offended-muslim-guy/613971/99 "2012-03-02T20:26:07Z")

</div>

> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#):
>
> What do you mean by “playing the religious equivalence card”? The Abrahamic religions are effectively equal. Can you give some examples.

I agree the religious are very similar. It’s nonetheless true that you see very few Christians and Jews killing people over things like these. Even when Christians and Jews hold ridiculous and draconian views on policy, they tend to propose it through legislation instead of riots and threatening people.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\
**Post date:** [March 2, 2012, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-of-zombie-muhammad-vs-the-offended-muslim-guy/613971/100 "2012-03-02T20:34:50Z")

</div>

> [@Marley23](#):
>
> I think we’ve seen enough of this kind of thing - people rioting over Qurans being burned, people getting killed for writing or publishing the wrong thing - on such a scale that it can’t be treated as a blip or something that’s common to all religions. From what I cansee, this is really a bigger deal in Islam as a religion and it means a significant number of Muslims need to get with the times.

As my Arab pluralist liberal muslim friend says–it’s not because they’re muslims, it’s because they’re arabs. Look that’s JUST WHAT SHE SAID OKAY? 😉

But seriously, is it widespread throughout the muslim world, or is it quite a bit more prevalent in some cultural areas than others?

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-of-zombie-muhammad-vs-the-offended-muslim-guy/613971.md?page=4)

[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-of-zombie-muhammad-vs-the-offended-muslim-guy/613971.md?page=6)
