Comedian Defends 'Achmed the Dead Terrorist' Puppet Routine Against South African Ban

[jundp 191]

However, I am still cautious to ascribe anything much to this decision to ban this particular advert (as I understand it anyway) as I still feel that a 30-60 second commercial cannot adequately convey the 'comedy' of this particular act and to expect everyone to be aware of the antics of a US comedian is a stretch. However, if they proceed to ban the comedian from performing in SA, that might be cause to question what is going on.

I agree.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

72 virgins in paradise is not in the Koran.

They only need to reference that to the U.S. where there are many uneducated people correlate the Muslim religion specifically with terrorism.

However, there is indeed a Muslim reference in there, just to show the article is full of sh!t and they're just stupidly taking the guy's word for it:

At 4:30 he makes a reference to 72 virgins and paradise, which is directly toward the Muslim religion, and would mean he believes in the Muslim faith, regardless of the "made in china" joke at the end.

http://www.livingislam.org/fiqhi/sp2-gfh_e.html#59

72 Virgins in Paradise

Very often I hear from non-Muslims negative remarks regarding 72 virgins in paradise for shuhada. Can you teach me a good answer about that issue, or guide me to some article about it.

Wa `alaykum as-Salam:

Tell them that the perfection of Islam dictates that it have a motivation for every type of person including those that are not motivated except through sensory reward, which is the common lot whether Christians deny it or not, and that the principle of Paradise as reward for martyrs is also very much present in their doctrine. However, Paradise in Islam also describes a higher level called ridwan i.e. the lavishing of Divine good pleasure, to which we pray that Allah guide us.

Hajj Gibril

So while I don't agree with squelching anyone for speech or defaming religions, it would be asinine to suggest it has nothing to do with it.

[Heracles 417]

I agree. Mostly. There's nothing that makes you question your own values and consider being open-minded than being challenged with something you might find offensive. However, the nature of this common sense aspect is overlooked because most people don't care about the humor. What I mean is they'll laugh at other religions but as soon as theirs shows up in the joke column they ignore it or get offended. Hell, the documentary film Religulous from Bill Maher showed that.

What did this "documentary" show exactly.

A film from someone who is atheist and biased towards others with religious views.

[Heracles 417]

American comedians feel they have the right to piss on other people's views. Then when the world hates us, these same people turn around and blame Republicans and corporations for the cause of hatred.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

American comedians feel they have the right to piss on other people's views. Then when the world hates us, these same people turn around and blame Republicans and corporations for the cause of hatred.

Call me crazy - but I think American governments and American government policies have a greater impact on peoples views than American comedians.

[Heracles 417]

American comedians feel they have the right to piss on other people's views. Then when the world hates us, these same people turn around and blame Republicans and corporations for the cause of hatred.

Call me crazy - but I think American governments and American government policies have a greater impact on peoples views than American comedians.

Crapping on about other peoples religion must not have anything to do with hatred. Apparently people abroad like that..

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

American comedians feel they have the right to piss on other people's views. Then when the world hates us, these same people turn around and blame Republicans and corporations for the cause of hatred.

Call me crazy - but I think American governments and American government policies have a greater impact on peoples views than American comedians.

Crapping on about other peoples religion must not have anything to do with hatred. Apparently people abroad like that..

Perhaps they don't care about it as much as you think...

[IAMX 3,055]

I agree. Mostly. There's nothing that makes you question your own values and consider being open-minded than being challenged with something you might find offensive. However, the nature of this common sense aspect is overlooked because most people don't care about the humor. What I mean is they'll laugh at other religions but as soon as theirs shows up in the joke column they ignore it or get offended. Hell, the documentary film Religulous from Bill Maher showed that.

What did this "documentary" show exactly.

A film from someone who is atheist and biased towards others with religious views.

It showed Bill Maher questioning people, people giving their experiences, the same #### that's in every documentary.

However, I can relate to it because like Maher, I grew up in a family with two different-yet-similar religions. Of course, wise men question things they were told as kids, and wise men tend to realize it was horse sh!t.

I would suggest watching it. You're already defensive and I bet you haven't. The movie is brilliant.

Edited October 6, 2008 by SRVT