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“Religion is also power.” “Teachers must strengthen democracy.”
47-year-old history teacher Samuel Paty was killed Friday by an 18-year-old Chechen. Police believe that the motive was that Paty used cartoons of Muhammad in her teaching. Photo: Lewis Joly / AP / NTB
Debate
This is a discussion post. Opinions in the text are the responsibility of the writer.
This is the case:
Answer 1: Religion is Power Too
Should we stop the Muhammad cartoons for not being disrespectful to Muslims? The answer is a definit no.
Freedom of speech applies to all of us, writes Anne Karin Nordskag. Photo: Private
For believers, religion is something spiritual and beautiful, but religion is also power. Therefore, religious criticism is important to avoid abuse of power, oppression and violence for religious reasons. What would our lives be like today if those who lived before us had not criticized the elite for creating a more equal balance of power?
We scoff that Thailand imprisons critics of the king. We are shocked by the idea of living in China where the party cannot be criticized. We shook our heads in Saudi Arabia, where you are flogged and imprisoned for criticizing Islam.
Should the insult to religion be called freedom of expression? Criticism is often perceived as an insult. Throughout the centuries, writers have mocked and laughed at kings and priests. The actors have parodied, the journalists have criticized and the artists have caricatured. Not to be disgusting, but to hold power accountable.
If you are offended by a teacher showing a cartoon of Muhammad, I respect your right to say that you find him disrespectful. I will always defend your right to express your opinions. But remember that freedom of speech applies to everyone.
Anne Karin Nordskag, Communication Coach
Answer 2: Teachers must strengthen democracy
Dear Ayeesha Fakhir. I read your post on Aftenposten Yes; D about the caricatures of Muhammad in teaching.
I’m a teacher. One of our tasks is to help strengthen democracy by teaching students to think critically and understand the importance of freedom of expression in a democracy. Therefore, it can be completely relevant to show what creates conflicts and struggles in society. Showing the pictures is relevant to understanding how wide the freedom of expression is.
I have never been afraid in the classroom, writes Marianne Bjørndal. Photo: Private
We comply with all expressions that we do not like, but we cannot prohibit them because an individual or group does not like what is pronounced. An exception, as you mention, is hate speech against someone. It is the court that decides whether a statement is hateful or not. We must respect the beliefs or non-beliefs of others, but a religion is not a human being. Article 185 of the Penal Code does not protect religions.
A negative restriction on freedom of expression is called fear. It is better to say, say, write, draw and paint the things that we do not like than to be afraid to express ourselves.
I have never been afraid in the classroom. I hope I am never afraid. French teacher Samuel Paty did his job, obviously with great respect for his students. It is serious if a murder involves the master’s methods. Murder is the serious incident.
Marianne Bjørndal, teacher
