Posted on 09/26/2006 11:03:35 PM PDT by MadIvan
Key quote Our ideas about openness, tolerance and freedom must be lived out on the offensive. Voluntary self-limitation gives those who fight against our values a confirmation in advance that we will not stand behind them - Klaus Wowereit, Berlin's mayor
Story in full ONE of Germany's leading opera houses has unleashed an angry debate over free speech by cancelling a production over security fears because a scene featured the severed heads of Buddha, Jesus and Mohammed.
The Deutsche Oper Berlin yesterday said it had decided "with great regret" to cancel a planned production of Mozart's Idomeneo after city security officials warned of an "incalculable risk" because of scenes dealing with Islam, as well as other religions.
Kirsten Harms, the director of the Deutsche Oper, said that the Berlin state police had warned of a possible - but not certain - threat and that she decided it would be in the best interest of the safety of the opera house, its employees and patrons to cancel the production.
After its premiere in 2003, the production by Hans Neuenfels drew widespread criticism over a scene in which King Idomeneo presents the severed heads not only of the Greek god of the sea, Poseidon, but also of Jesus, Buddha and Mohammed.
"We know the consequences of the conflict over the [Mohammed] caricatures," the opera house said in a statement. "We believe that needs to be taken very seriously and hope for your support."
While some said they understood the decision, a broad spectrum of politicians opposed it.
The leader of Germany's Islamic Council welcomed the decision, saying a depiction of Mohammed with a severed head "could certainly offend Muslims."
"Nevertheless, of course I think it is horrible that one has to be afraid," Ali Kizilkaya said. "That is not the right way to open dialogue."
Dieter Glietsch, head of the Berlin state police, said: "One can find nothing wrong if, in a climate that's already tense between Islam and the western world, people avoid heating up the situation further through a scene that can - and perhaps even must - be taken as provocative by pious Muslims."
Many others, including Germany's senior security official, Wolfgang Schäuble, the interior minister, condemned the decision, which came ahead of a conference on Islam planned for today. "That is crazy," Mr Schäuble told reporters in Washington DC, where he was holding meetings with American officials.
Berlin's mayor, Klaus Wowereit, said that "with all understanding for the concern about the security of spectators and performers, I consider the decision of the director to be wrong.
"Our ideas about openness, tolerance and freedom must be lived out on the offensive. Voluntary self-limitation gives those who fight against our values a confirmation in advance that we will not stand behind them."
Bernd Neumann, the federal government's senior cultural official, said that "problems cannot be solved by keeping silent". He added: "When the concern over possible protests leads to self-censorship, then the democratic culture of free speech becomes endangered."
The decision comes after the German-born Pope Benedict XVI infuriated Muslims by citing a 14th century Byzantine emperor as saying Muhammad brought "things only evil and inhuman".
Earlier this year, furious protests erupted after a Danish newspaper published 12 cartoons depicting Mohammed. The images were reprinted by dozens of newspapers and websites in Europe and elsewhere, often in the name of freedom of expression.
Islamic law is interpreted to forbid any depiction of Mohammed for fear it could lead to idolatry.
The leader of Germany's Turkish community said that while he could understand how the production could be seen as offensive, he also encouraged Muslims living in the West to accept certain elements of western traditions, noting that an opera production was not equivalent to a political point of view. "I would recommend Muslims learn to accept certain things," Kenan Kolat said. "Art must remain free."
What is odd about this whole affair is that the scene in question was not written by Mozart at all (or whomever wrote his librettos), but was added by the modern director. Therefore it is rather disingenuous to pretend it is a Muslims vs Mozart issue. However, having so powerful a symbol as Mozart used in the culture wars may prove quite useful, as we can see from the political reaction.
Next thing you know, they'll ban Othello.
"Mohammed the Prophet (may he burn in hell) was a pedophile and murderer. Islam is a religion created by Satan himself, full of hate, murder, and every kind of evil. Piss on Islam, but God save the poor, mislead and corrupted Muslims, through Christ the Lord.
Come and get me Muslims.
I will NOT submit."
C'mon now, quit holding back and tell us how you really feel. I hate this PC pussy stuff on FR.
I have never met a moderate Muslim in my life. I've only read articles by one or two Muslims in five years condemning Islamic inspired murder. However, I've seen or read of the deaths of thousands by "radical" Muslims, and the silence and inaction by the rest of Islam represents their deafening voice of approval.
No, I don't mince words about Islam or Muslims. It has, however, taken me five years to see Muslims in the same light as my Lord does, as sad, misled, confused humans in utter bondage to Satan. Only Satan would create a religion where the essential characteristic is human bondage, whether it's actual slavery, the "dhimmitude", the status of women and children, or the status within classes of male Muslims, or ritual prayer five times a day - it's all bondage to Satan. Only the Satanically inspired would teach their children from the cradle onward, the merit of dying by suicide in Jihad to serve their God by murdering innocents. It's exactly what that angel wanted when he rebelled against God.
Islam is entirely understandable to a knowledgeable Christian. In the non-spiritual sense, it's as deadly and life threatening as any force that's ever dwelt on this earth. We need to fight and destroy the true enemy, Islam, before this war will end.
SFS
I haven't read all the threads on this,so I don't know if anyone else brought this up, but why on earth is that scene in this opera? It's not part of the story, the story takes place in ancient Greece/Crete, long before Jesus and Mohammed et al. Sounds to me like some whacky director/producer hacked up a perfectly good opera to suit himself.
Is this scene in Mozart's original opera or is this just more modern crap these nutcase producers throw in to ruin operas?
I oppose all these crapped up modern versions of operas. The Drag Queens who ruin great art should be given to the Islmanaics for beheading practice.
German Douchebag: Look at me! I'm so sophisticated and progressive that I'm going to take a crusty ancient play and jazz it up a little by insulting the dumb superstitions of all those "religious" people. I'm sticking a middle finger into the face of traditional values! Ooooh! I'm so brave. But when those smelly camel lovers threaten me, I 1 and 2 my lingerie/granny pants and hide under my boyfriend's skirt/girlfriend's BDUS and let the evil, racist, imperialist AmeriKKKans protect me.
Islamofacist @$$hole: Look at me! I have such a fragile world view that even the slightest insult turns me to murdrerous rage which I take out on Jews, Christians, Infidels, babies, puppies. But of course I don't do it myself. Those infidels have bigger guns than me. So I just brainwash some poor schmuck who don't have anything to look up to and nothing to believe in into doing the killing for me while I hump goats/camel/sheep/little boys.
And I have no clue what the hell is irony.
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