We were then subjected to endless explanations about how Mr. Serrano must be respected for his artistic contributions, how his right to "free speech" must be considered sacrosanct, how even though his "art" might offend millions of Catholics and other Christians, the outrage they felt could not be considered in any way by the agencies that awarded the prize or supplied the money for the prize, because, after all, Mr. Serrano is an American citizen and enjoys the same First Amendment rights as any other American.
I think the sharp difference in reaction here, by the US Embassy, can be accounted for very simply: Catholics won't kill you if you offend them, but muslims will. Any other explanation is pure cant, which (as I understand it) is a highbrow synonym for "BS."
I think it’s because Christians are their political opponents in the U.S. If Christians were still voting mostly Democrat, as they might have before the school prayer ban and Roe vs. Wade, Democrats would stick up for them more. But domestically, they’re the enemy. Every other religion is a potential Democrat constituent, so they must get their butts kissed. It’s the same reason every race and gender can be discriminated against except for white males, according to liberals.