My views on the Charlie Hebdo situation

Why only report on fun activities when I can jump into the fray about this volatile subject? Please share your thoughts with the perspective I present.

In polite company, and even in casual encounters, if someone tells you 'that hurts my feelings' or 'please don't, that offends me', generally we will apologize and not repeat the disturbing behavior. Not so Charlie Hebdo.

Did they not learn anything from the attacks on the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten in September 2005, when they intended to publish satirical cartoons about Muslims? Just like the Jewish faith has an edict not to speak God's name, the Muslims have a strong tradition of iconoclasm: no images of Muhammad. Thus the pictures alone are offensive, and mocking depictions are an over the top insult.

Let me be clear: I am not condoning the violence and murders brought about by the recent publication by Charlie Hebdo. Nor am I infringing on anyone's right to free speech. Allegedly, the western media has the right to publish anything they see fit. Should they?

Once, one of my students commented: “There is such a thing as too much freedom.” She's right. We have the freedom to take drugs, but is it wise to do so? Car speedometers top out at 120/130 mph, sometimes more. Should we drive that fast? Some of us can buy as much food as we want and eat as much as our bellies can hold, as often as we want. It that a good idea when it might lead to obesity and/or toxicity and all their related diseases?

We might not subscribe to or even respect another's viewpoint, but does that give us the right to mock them? To insult fundamental beliefs? No, it doesn't.

We expats have the privilege of experiencing another culture, not just in China but all over the world. Would it be fair, good or right to mock the beliefs of the very people that welcome us? No, it wouldn't.

Now to further advance my argument: in this age of supposed tolerance and freedom, how is it that the Muslim faith is singled out for derision?