Islam - Freedom of expression means death

Why do Muslims put up with this? If your answer is fear, fear from family, community and Muslims at large, then surely Muslims have to be the biggest cowards in history. Before you call me names read this Muslim's entire article for in it he lays out the fundemental reason why there is no progress in the Muslim world.

Read this and remember the writer is a Muslim.

In the House of Islam, you cannot have a principle other than that of the community. Every thing you do is referred to Islam. The mantra is "that's stupid BUT...But we cannot do this because we are Muslims." One hears this expression ad nauseam. In the Islamic world you cease to be a human being. You become only a Muslim, whatever that entails.

You are not allowed to be a person with vices and virtues, you cannot follow your own reasoning, and you cannot be unpopular or defend an unpopular idea. You cannot go out of the circle. To express yourself freely means to risk death. And death indeed if you change your faith. Invention itself is considered as an act of blasphemy.

Here's why.

To survive in such unfriendly atmosphere like this, journalists in the Muslim world have become like parrots that only echo the official line. Torn between the call of professionalism and that of censorship, they have to always adhere to the call of the latter. If it takes a village to raise a child in Africa, it takes a community to kill a writer, artist and a journalist in the Muslim world.

All too true and all too sad.

And this cowardice is spreading. Remember the Muhammad cartoons? The Burger King ice cream cone? More signs of cowardice here.