An Unexpected Alliance

The lines have been drawn for years, and there are more than enough who either support or oppose it. It is seen by millions in dozens of countries, yet South Park has only just now received the reaction it has so longed for. The recent episode which depicted the prophet and founder of Islam, Muhammad, has been attacked by Islamic groups. Their issue lies in his representation, and the belief that Muhammad should not be represented visual in any shape or form.

A Prophet In His Own Land:
It is stated in Islamic law that no-one may create an image of the Prophet. Such an act is forbidden and punishable by death. However, are the people who are creating this fervor truly correct in their actions. It is hard to image that in a 'Christian' country such as the United Kingdom that iconography referring the Jesus Christ would be banned and in turn all existing imagery removed. Here we are accustomed to learning and remembering how Jesus appeared at different stages of his life. There is no threat of death or physical chastising of those who draw him. Why then is it so terrible to draw an individual who could be compared to Christianity's saviour? In Islamic art, any picture which contains Muhammad will purely be an ambiguous figure with no discernible features. It says in the Hadith that no Muslim may create a visual representation of Muhammad, and they understand this as including non-Muslims as well. However, it may see unfair to say the least to expect those of other faiths and inclinations to respect this. If others are to do this, then perhaps in turn Muslims should refrain from saying rash statements such as 'behead the infidel'. There may need to be a dialogue on the issue to establish the place and rights of other outwith Islam. They say 'No prophet is accepted in his own contry', and it appears to also be the case that he is not accepted else where.

The Magic Box
In an age where most who reside in Western nations own a television, it is hard to keep anything out of its reach. The advent of the television meant that different ideas and opinions could be easily distributed to those who wanted to hear them. This in turn led to a wider acceptance that risky topics were the norm to be broadcast. It therefore may be misplaced to damn a programme which is only towing the line. Many different channels offer use content which has a greater potential to offend and disgust. There is no possibility of vindicating one without vindicating them all. If you support or oppose the actions of South Park, then it is only 'fair' that all other programming which offended receive equal support or contempt. Equal opportunity and equal discrimination go hand in hand in this respect. Perhaps the only option which many of us choose to take it the 'grin and bare it' approach, which by and large is successful. Never the less, when a prominent group of political/cultural/religious importance takes offence, then the world takes notice. Then groups work together to make their feelings known it establishes a united front against a common enemy, in this case it was Islamic groups versus South Park.

Super-Best Friends:
The nature of South Park from the very beginning been to push the boundaries of televised decency.It has make light of politicians, celebrities, and religious figures with equal measures of insult and attack. Does it then deserve to be attacked solely for its most recent 'piss take'? Though it is nothing new when you look at its track record, it is perhaps about time that a voice rose up to oppose their representations.The creators of South Park fail to seek approval from those whom they portray. Bitter-sweet justice may be in Comedy Central's censoring of the episode in question, by removing the image of Muhammad and any reference to it. Such a move shows that television is not a media for all expression when it goes beyond its usually prescribed limits.

State of Play:
The alliance referred to in the title comes from the today's (28th April) revelation that the creators of The Simpsons have come out in defence of South Park. This move could further exacerbate the situation as this is a formation of a 'camp' in opposition to the complaint of the Islamic group.It also opens the doors to other programmes expressing their support and so giving South Park the excuse of not having to apologise. Their creators have already expressed their views that they were not in the wrong and had no intention of apologising. There appears to be no fear of the threats placed against them. It just may be that this controversial cartoon has gotten away with something others have been killed for doing. Yet the final cry could still be: "You killed standards, you b*****d!!!" 

Devil Makes Work For Idle Hands

It seems impossible now for a day to pass where the scandals encompassing the Vatican are not in the media.  The revelations which are flowing now as if from an open wound are becoming more septic by the day. The content of the situation makes it all the more potent to Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

Our Future
Though a cliche now, the maxim 'the children are our future' takes on a whole new persona here. From birth, a child is impressionable and easily swayed to differing ways of life. The environment which they are exposed to as they grow will have a life long effect on their character. Whether the context is one of affluence, poverty, discipline or neglect, children learn from that as to how their life should follow.  If this is indeed the case, then exposure to sexual abuse would have a scarring effect on the child no matter who the perpetrator is. However, if it is someone who we are encouraged to trust and seek council from, then we are going to suffer greater damage. Those who have been accused of such despicable acts within the Catholic Church have broken a truly 'sacred' taboo. They have violated not only the child at the moment of the act, but the future adult whom the child shall develop in to. The consequences of the clergyman's actions could ruin an individuals future potential. They do not only destroy their own future within the Church, but also that of the innocent they have defiled.

Representation of G_d
The actions of monstrous predatory priests and bishops is unfortunately not confined to one area or country; it stretches all over the world. Some of the countries dealing with this include Chile, USA, Ireland, Germany and Italy. Many in these nations have turned their angry and vengeful eyes towards the Pope in Vatican City. The 83 year old Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger) is standing against a wave of accusations as both pontiff and his previous position as 'Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith'. In both positions he is accused of failing to resolve issues involving the sexual abuse of children. He neglected to protect children where (it is rumoured) he was well aware of the abuses within the Church. Such a damning indictment has led to a desire from some for the Pope to resign. Can the man who holds the keys to heaven really be removed from the post as Summus Pontifex. Such ideas are very modern, especially for the Catholic Church. As no Pope has ever stepped down, then it would be unclear how this would take place. Never the less, their is a consensus that Benedict XVI should be held accountable for the actions of those under his leadership. Subversive efforts of many in the Church do not help this, and further undermine the Pope's authority on the matter. If he allows all this to continue, then what kind of G_d is he representing for his flock. Perhaps that is what the hierarchy of the Church need to reflect on if they are going to work to mend the fractures in their authority. Their G_d gave them the power and position of strength they find themselves in; so they should use it to reafirm their place as a force for good.

Seeds Of G_d

It is a well established fact that the internet is crawling with sexual content of varying extremes. Prehaps then it is suitable to find an unusual expression of this in the news. An Israeli man has been sentence to 10 years for rape, sodomy, indecent acts and aggravated fraudulent acquisition. These charges where not put against a sexual deviant in the more common form, but an individual who claimed he possessed 'divine' semen which had healing powers. Coupled with the jail sentence, he has also been told that he must pay just under $27,000 to each of the five women he was accused by.


Those of us who reside in the West are familiar with the miracles of Lourds in France, Fatima in Portugal, and Joseph Smith Jr's experience on the hill outside of Manchester, New York. There are also the experiences of the Catholic Church and the creation of saints through the miraculous actions of others. However, it is the case that the 21st Century sees widespead secular sentiment among the nations of Europe and North America. This influences our ability to appreciate anything which is bracketed as miraculous. In turn this leads to an ignorance and scepticism among the masses. It is fair to assume that anyone faced with a case of a miracle would want empirical evidence to offer support for the claim. Prehaps then it is all the more difficult for us to appreciate the extent of this allegation.

The region of Israel within the wider Middle East is a place of spiritual mystery. The city of Jerusalem has a proud history and plays a key role for the three main monotheistic religions (Islam, Judaism and Christianity). Never the less, it will have seen its fair share of miraculous events from the aforementioned faiths. However with this experience, it may be easier for them to spot fraudulent claims compaired to more realistic examples. Tradition doesn't always maintain through the ages, and the encroachment of secularism will be leaving its mark on the region.

The case of Nissim Aharon and his 'divine sperm' is a prime example of this. He exploited the spiritulaity of people to get sex. Though his claims were not based in truth, some were prepared to follow through on this and perpetuate his lie. The judges at the trial claimed that 'his sexual appetite could not be satisfied'. If this is the case, then the aura surrounding miracles and divine power could be seriously undermined by this whole incident. However, this would only effect a minority and not create too much of a concern among the religious community. It does however add fuel to those who are critical of such phenomena. It may be the case that this is a purely incidental example of miracle scamming, and that most are in fact based on truth. In any case, this is an instance where the secular and the theological have come together to brand someone a criminal. The accusations were severe by any standard, yet the divine angle has the potential to make it all alot more potent. Prehaps a final thought to consider is: How many more instances of 'miracles' are in fact manipulations of the people and justice?