I was considering avoiding the controversy around Geert Wilders’ film “Fitna” but I have decided to brave the waters… The basic argument seems to be:

  1. The Koran contains statements that call for the spread of Islam and unbelievers to be killed.
  2. Act of violence are justified and inspired by the Koran (this is implied visually but not stated literally)
  3. Islam wants to impose its views on us [liberal Westerners]
  4. Being under threat, we must respond by defeating this ideology (as done to Communism)
  5. Muslims should renounce passages that call for violence.

Ban Ki Moon condemned the film for itself being extremist.

I want to add some observations that were not in the film.

  • The Koran has statements that non-believers should not be harmed.
  • Not all Muslims want to impose their beliefs on others. (On the other hand, extremists would say “then they are not Muslim” but anyway) See also 2:256, 18:29, 109:6
  • Getting inspiration towards violence from a holy book depends on the supply of the book, being told to read it and to take it seriously – and also to take a particular pro-violent interpretation. All this takes human influence. To say that words on a page are wholly responsible for violence is an over simplification.
  • Just because liberal views are “under threat”, it does not mean we should label the view as “evil” or attempt to defeat it. To do so is the antithesis of liberalism! As long as pressure comes from preaching and political action, why should a liberal society resist? Unless we don’t think liberalism can survive without being hypocritical? (Which is a possibility.)
  • Apparently some (most?) Muslim scholars do call for sections of the Koran to be interpreted and not to be taken literally.

When Geert Wilders attempted to travel to the UK to show his film, we was denied entry as he was deemed a “public safety threat”. I’ll tell you what is a public safety thread: a government who censors a descenting voice. If Wilders called for violence (he didn’t – I think?), he would be a loose canon – but it is the protests from hysterical people who feel themselves “offended” that are the threat to public safetly (even if there is a threat at all). The ironic thing is I probably would not have bothered watching this rather superficial film if they had not blocked his visit!

Anti Citizen One

PS There is an excellent audio episode of The Moral Maze concerning the origin of morality. (Titled poorly as “moral relativism”). Also, congratulations to them on the 500th episode broadcasted!