Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Violence is not the answer

We could really use some more Ghandis and Martin Luther King Jr.s in the world. Pakistan declared this past Friday ":A Day of Love for the Prophet Mohammed" and encouraged Muslims to non-violently protest an anti-Muslim film that was produced in the United States. I completely understand their disgust towards a film that was an attack on their religion and beliefs. The idea for this "Day of Love" made sense. History has shown that non-violent protests have been very successful.

Sadly, non-violence is not what Pakistan got. Instead the action turned brutal, with 15 people killed, two theaters ransacked and burned, along with numerous other damage and injury done.

This is my problem with the protesters. They are upset that their religion was portrayed in a negative way. They do not like being deemed as evil or "bad" people. However, their actions showed that they were exactly that. If they could carry on a protest without killing their own people and causing destruction, maybe the Western world would start viewing them in a more positive light. If you want people's respect, stop proving that you are a violent religion and start doing some good in your own countries.

I have nothing wrong with someone who lives a different religion than I do. People have their freedom to do so. However, I disagree with violence and any religion that uses it to prove a point.

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