Christianity has a history that includes violence. But we can't argue that its prophet went on missions of imperialism or mass conversion, established a tax on non-believers who don't convert, wielded a sword, or took women as possessions. Nor can we say Jesus penned the Bible. And while some Christians might believe the US and Western democracy is rooted in Christianity, the US and Western democracies, though they may vary in how religion interfaces with their governments, do not mandate submission to a state religion.
Islam has a history of violence, it's governments under Islamic law are tyrannies that limit freedom and impose restriction on private behavior under the law, and deny democratic processes, viewing women as extensions of their husbands and male family members. Clerics and Imams are part of government and provide instruction as to how the masses shall behave under law, including non-Muslims. Islam's prophet is said to have delivered the Quran. Because scores of Muslims reject the tyranny established by Islamic governments and advanced by violence-promoting religious leadership, and because they do not embrace particular sections of Quran, or have adopted modern secular practices, does not change Islamic law, it's source, or the ongoing violence under the direction of religious leadership.
Modernity and secular principles of liberty advanced by the West, and implemented by democratic governments, is why elephant dung can be hung on the Virgin Mary, or Christ can be displayed in sexually provocative positions, and Christians don't take up arms and slaughter those engaging in the 'offensive' speech. In fact, the writings of Western political philosophers who informed the documents that frame our democracy stipulate that it is in fact the most offensive and provocative speech that must be protected and allowed a place in the marketplace of idea.
Charb said that of all the satires and all the ridicule of politicians and religions the publication printed, the only threats of violence came from the Islamic world.
At some point, that has to be considered. JMO
