Writer defends 'Islam stupid'

Irish Independent via Daily Telegraph ^ | September 18, 2002 | Philip Delves Broughton

[Happygal]

FRANCE'S Most controversial writer, Michel Houellebecq, appeared in court in Paris yesterday to defend his right to call Islam a "stupid" religion.

During a raucous hearing, which was interrupted at one point, marked by a protest inside the courtroom by free speech activists and by the shouts of Right wing demonstrators outside, Mr Houellebecq refused to apologise to the Islamic groups who have accused him of inciting religious hatred.

The rector of the Paris mosque, Dalil Boubakeur, said: "Words have a price. One can kill with a word. Freedom of expression stops at the point at which it does damage and the Muslim community feels insulted."

Under French law Mr Houellebecq who lives in the west of Ireland could be imprisoned for up to a year if found guilty.

Mr Houellebecq told the court: "I have never shown the slightest contempt for Muslims, but I have always held Islam in contempt."

In an interview with the Parisian literary magazine Lire last year, Mr Houellebecq was described as hating Arabs and Muslims and failing to distinguish between the two.

He was quoted as saying: "I had a kind of revelation in the Sinai desert, where Moses received the Ten Commandments. Suddenly, I experienced a total rejection of monotheism.

"In this very rocky, inspiring land, I said to myself that the idea of believing in only one God was cretinous. I could not think of another word. And the stupidest religion of all is Islam."

The scandal may have boosted sales for his book Plateforme, which came out that month.

The book tells of a disillusioned young bachelor, Michel, who finds sexual and personal fulfilment in the fleshpots of Bangkok. Finally, he meets a woman with whom he sets up a hedonistic sex resort for tourists, which is a roaring success until attacked by Islamic activists.

[Imal]

NO ONE ESCAPES THE IRISH INQUISITION!

[Stultis]

Considering their almost fanatical devotion to single malts, stout ales and blue-eyed lasses, who would want to?

[TomGuy]

Well, Allah, dammit is a court martial offense in our US military.

Seems the World now has an Islam card that equates to our race card. More PC, and it is killing us with a thousand slashes.

[Imal]

Of course, since this farce is taking place in Muslim-occupied France, and is simply being reported here by the Irish Independent via the Daily Telegraph, I should have said:

NO ONE EXPECTS THE FRENCH INQUISITION!

But I suppose it has lost its punch at this point. :^P

[MadIvan]

NO ONE EXPECTS THE FRENCH INQUISITION!

Ah yes, but will they break out the Comfy Chair? ;)

Regards, Ivan

[WyldKard]

The rector of the Paris mosque, Dalil Boubakeur, said: "Words have a price. One can kill with a word. Freedom of expression stops at the point at which it does damage and the Muslim community feels insulted."

These morons...I feel such pity for them. In America, a good deal of us realize that "being insulted" is the price we pay to have true free speech. We may not like it, but we usually aren't going to bitch and cry about it. Although the liberals are working hard to bring us in line with the thoughts of this moron.

One word can kill, huh? Is this "rector" suggesting that they may "pull a Rushdie" on this guy if he doesn't shut up and apologize, I wonder?

[Born on the Storm King]

They should bomb that big black stone in Mecca---that thing gives me the creeps every time I think about it!

[Imal]

I'm not sure about the Comfy Chair, but I'm certain that one of the cross beams has gone out askew on the treddle over there. Not to mention the DIABOLICAL LAUGHTER and DIABOLICAL ACTING.

Guard your lupins well...

[Imal]

The rector of the Paris mosque, Dalil Boubakeur, said: "Words have a price. One can kill with a word. Freedom of expression stops at the point at which it does damage and the Muslim community feels insulted."

This rhetoric is dangerous, and must therefore be banned!

[FlyVet]

FRANCE'S Most controversial writer, Michel Houellebecq, appeared in court in Paris yesterday to defend his right to call Islam a stupid religion.

There, I hope I have earned my fatwah for today.

[Petronski]

Words have a price. One can kill with a word.

Especially under the Sharia.

[TomB]

Ah yes, but will they break out the Comfy Chair? ;)

No Ivan, just the white flag.

Which brings up a question, if they never put it away, do they really "break it out"?

[Happygal]

Words have a price. One can kill with a word.

You should see what I can do with a look! *LOL*

[Diogenesis]

"One can kill with a word."

MU'ADIB

[Petronski]

Words have a price. One can kill with a word.

You should see what I can do with a look! *LOL*

So that was YOU who I was giving the eye last Saturday night. Now I understand. :)

[xm177e2]

One can kill with a word

"Mua'dib!"

[Happygal]

You lived to tell the tale?
DAMN! I'm losing my touch ;-)

[MadIvan]

"Mua'dib!"

That's "Muad'dib". Anyway, kull wahad! ;)

Regards, Ivan

[Aquinasfan]

What's the general attitude toward the Mohammedans in England? Did that rally of 9000 Mohammedans demanding Sharia law for England get a lot of press? Did that make Blair change his position?