Catholic magazine in Prophet cartoon row (DANTE VS. MUHAMMAD ALERT)

The Scotsman ^ | April 17, 2006 | NICK PISA

[Lx]

Every time I see your link to Dune, it reminds of how the Dune series is one long love letter to Islam. Having reread the 6 books after 9/11, it was really an eye opener. The prequels didn't have the same feeling especially since they weren't written by Frank Herbert.

The spice must flow...

[MadIvan]

It's definitely not a love letter to Islam - it shows how dangerous a fanatical religion can be, and how it can lead to murderous ends. In Dune Messiah, Muad'dib goes over the death toll from his Jihad - and furthermore, it shows his distaste for what his Empire has become - it takes his son Leto to accomplish a vision in which man is not in the thrall of a singular religion or order ("The Golden Path").

Regards, Ivan

[livius]

Frankly, I'm surprised (and disappointed) that people connected with Opus Dei have already grovelled before Islamic sensibilities. I read elsewhere that the editor of the magazine has also apologized.

Are we now going to seek out copies of the Inferno and rip out the famous illustration that was the basis of this cartoon? Or maybe we'll have to destroy all copies of the Inferno because it contains words unflattering to Mohammed?

Of course, every moment brings us yet another proof of the accuracy of Dante's assessment of Mohammed and his "contribution" to human civilization.

[redgolum]

Herbert was fascinated with the muslim culture and the like. The first time I read Dune, I wondered if the guy got high and watched Lawrence of Arabia to many times.

[Sun]

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