La Liberté de l’Expression

“Je ne suis pas d’accord avec ce que vous dites, mais je me battrai jusqu’à la mort pour que vous ayez le droit de le dire.” - Voltaire

Disclaimer

• The information and views presented in this class are to be expressed objectively for the purpose of understanding how world religions, politics, and cultures have shaped and continue to shape international events.

• Such information and views are not intended to persuade, offend, or negate your personal beliefs.

Ground Rules

During our discussion, you are expected to:• Show emotional maturity at all times,• Respect others’ opinions and beliefs, • Raise your hand and speak one at a time,• Refrain from using any offensive language or

commentary, and• Ask questions based in intellectual curiosity.

Les Attentats – Charlie Hebdo

What is satire?

Per the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, satire is

• “a way of using humor to show that someone or something is foolish, weak, bad, etc. :

• humor that shows the weaknesses or bad qualities of a person, government, society, etc.”

After U.S. Forces Killed Bin Laden

Bin Laden is alive!

(just like Elvis)

Europe, Led by Banks

“What an idiot! I should have gone to work for BNP (the largest bank in France).”

If Muhammad Returned. . .

“I am the Prophet, you idiot!”

ISIS extremist, “Shut up, Infidel!”

14. janvier 2015 – All is Forgiven

The Prophet, Muhammad, holding an ‘I am Charlie’ sign

Les Attentats

attentat Charlie Hebdo dessinateur économiste journaliste kidnappé Paris Match tué

Le reportage présente quatre ______________ (Cabu, Wolinski, Charb et Tignous) et un ______________ (Bernard Maris). Ils travaillaient tous pour le journal ______________. Il y a eu un ______________ dans le journal et ces cinq personnes ont été ______________.

Vidéo TV5Monde de Charlie Hebdohttp://enseigner.tv5monde.com/fle/je-suis-charlie

What does the mosque in Paris look like?

http://www.mosqueedeparis.net/

The Minaret

Tower originally used for the daily call to prayer

Courtyard – Garden of Eden

Hallway to the Prayer Hall

Second Courtyard

Islamic Geometric Pattern• Represents

the underlying order of the universe

• Used in meditation

• Similar to a mandala in Buddhism

Prayer Hall

The carpet patterns for the prayer rugs face Mecca.

Back to the Main Courtyard

Library / Cultural Center

Used for Islamic studies, debate, and discussion

Tea Room and Café

Les Desserts

FAQs About Islam

What is the difference between Muslim and Islam?

Per about.com, • "Muslim" is used when referring to people;• "Islamic" refers to countries, laws, etc.

Example: My neighbor is a Muslim.

http://islam.about.com/od/basicbeliefs/p/intro.htm

What is jihad?

Video via Discovery.com:

http://news.discovery.com/history/videos/dnews-explainer-what-is-jihad-video-140625.htm

Freedom of Speech in the U.S.

U.S. Constitution – 1st Amendment

Freedom of Religion, Free Speech, Peaceful Assembly and Petition

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

1st Amendment Expansion

The inability to deny freedom of religion, speech, and right to peaceful assembly • not only applies to Congress, • but also states and local governments per the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Supreme Court Clarification“Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes’ landmark decision in Schenck v. United States (1919) determined that the right to free speech is not absolute. Holmes stated that falsely shouting “Fire!” in a crowded theater and causing a panic could not be protected. He went on to clarify that the question of whether the government had a right to sensor speech depended on whether the words used constituted “a clear and present danger” that could bring about such a negative reaction that the government is obliged to prevent, as it is obligated to do in the Preamble of the Constitution to ‘insure domestic tranquility.’ “

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/lessons_plans/the-dilemma-of-protecting-free-speech/

Video Questions

• Why was Reverend Terry Jones conducting this demonstration?

• Why did General Petraeus believe this action was dangerous to American troops abroad?

• Is the act of expressing one’s opinion by burning or defacing a symbol, such as the Bible or nation’s flag, a violation of someone else’s rights?

Is it legal to burn the U.S. flag?

Yes, per thelawdictionary.org: “The Supreme Court of the United States in its decision from 1969 has ruled that the burning of the flag is protected by the First Amendment.

However, the person who burnt the flag can be found guilty of a misdemeanor for starting a fire without a permit.”

Photo of riots in Ferguson, MO

Threat to Burn the Qur’anhttp://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/religion-july-dec10-quran_09-07/

Case Study

• Petitioners:– Argue that burning the Qur’an is religious

harassment, bordering on a hate crime, under the 1st Amendment

• Respondents:– Defend the church’s right to assemble and burn the

Qur’an as protected under the 1st Amendment• Judges:– Listen to both sides’ arguments and deliver a verdict