SteveMcluuf Posted June 15, 2010 Report Posted June 15, 2010 Being in the IT industry, I tend to use computers a lot and have for over a decade. Personally, I like to IRC chat (which is part of why I haven't been posting much to this forum) which if you don't know what IRC is, it is kind of like AIM but older and purely text based. Anyway, I was chatting with some folks and I won't go into full details b/c it doesn't matter but we were talking about religion and so I posted this ASCII art: (((:-o)={|||||||||||||=B and said it was the prophet Muhammad. Well apparently, this was offensive and word has gotten around and I have received some veiled threats. I'm afraid if they are serious, they are going to start trying to track me down via Google stalking. But my question is, don't you think they over reacted getting all upset and "yelling" (typing in all caps) in the chat room? Honestly, I though ASCII would be OK since it is, well, just text and not binary. I mean, the word "Muhammad" is ASCII, right, so why get all upset over a few parenthesis, pipes, equals signs, etc.?
Gretchen Posted June 15, 2010 Report Posted June 15, 2010 Perhaps the people you where talking to where Muslim, in which case, they may have thought you where being disrespectful of their leader. Look at it this way; if I where to make fun of Joseph Smith or Jesus, would you be offended?
HiJolly Posted June 15, 2010 Report Posted June 15, 2010 Perhaps the people you where talking to where Muslim, in which case, they may have thought you where being disrespectful of their leader. Look at it this way; if I where to make fun of Joseph Smith or Jesus, would you be offended?It's much worse than that. People are killed every year for this sort of thing. Seriously. Steve, you really put your foot in it -- and they won't buy repentance, either. Good luck. If I were you, I'd get out of Dodge (the IRC area) permanently. Maybe try another avatar in a few months/years? HiJolly
Hemidakota Posted June 15, 2010 Report Posted June 15, 2010 Being in the IT industry, I tend to use computers a lot and have for over a decade. Personally, I like to IRC chat (which is part of why I haven't been posting much to this forum) which if you don't know what IRC is, it is kind of like AIM but older and purely text based. Anyway, I was chatting with some folks and I won't go into full details b/c it doesn't matter but we were talking about religion and so I posted this ASCII art:(((:-o)={|||||||||||||=Band said it was the prophet Muhammad. Well apparently, this was offensive and word has gotten around and I have received some veiled threats. I'm afraid if they are serious, they are going to start trying to track me down via Google stalking. But my question is, don't you think they over reacted getting all upset and "yelling" (typing in all caps) in the chat room? Honestly, I though ASCII would be OK since it is, well, just text and not binary. I mean, the word "Muhammad" is ASCII, right, so why get all upset over a few parenthesis, pipes, equals signs, etc.?Who do you fear more? GOD or fanatical murderers? Just have to remind them to go back and read the Koran instead of following the clergy fanaticism. Yet, shows resemblance of the Catholic clergy of the dark ages that were killing the non-Catholics and there own, when someone would rise up and verbally assault the church in Europe.
Hemidakota Posted June 15, 2010 Report Posted June 15, 2010 Did you learn nothing from South Park?Who watches South Park?
Suzie Posted June 15, 2010 Report Posted June 15, 2010 Anyway, I was chatting with some folks and I won't go into full details b/c it doesn't matter but we were talking about religion and so I posted this ASCII art:(((:-o)={|||||||||||||=Band said it was the prophet Muhammad.Ohhh, I do think it's important to know what you was chatting about to understand their reaction.
Vanhin Posted June 15, 2010 Report Posted June 15, 2010 Total overreaction. If you have the stones to go this path, I would not to let them bully you into thinking you did something wrong. These zealots already have most of the world in their pockets through the use of fear and intimidation. Regards, Vanhin
Vanhin Posted June 15, 2010 Report Posted June 15, 2010 Even if you intended to be offensive, their reaction is over the top. People have ridiculed us and our prophet for years, and people ridicule Jesus Christ all the time, and we don't act that way. It's one thing to be upset, but it's another to threaten a person. Their reaction is not justified. Vanhin
Just_A_Guy Posted June 15, 2010 Report Posted June 15, 2010 Steve, you really put your foot in it -- and they won't buy repentance, either. Good luck. If I were you, I'd get out of Dodge (the IRC area) permanently.Steve, maybe you should change jobs. I hear you have connections in showbiz?
Dravin Posted June 15, 2010 Report Posted June 15, 2010 (edited) Honestly, I though ASCII would be OK since it is, well, just text and not binary. I mean, the word "Muhammad" is ASCII, right, so why get all upset over a few parenthesis, pipes, equals signs, etc.?Painting the word Muhammad and painting a likeness of him boils down to just pigment attached to a medium of some sort. I think death threats are over reacting (I can't think of any religious insult made against even Christ himself that would make me issue death threats) but do you seriously not understand why a group of people who are taught that depictions of Muhammad are offensive were offended by your ASCII art depiction of Muhammad?Ohhh, I do think it's important to know what you was chatting about to understand their reaction.Indeed. It's kinda like how a "Your Momma" joke can be taken differently if you are joking around with someone, if it came out of the blue or after someone has been insulting you for 20 minutes prior. Edited June 15, 2010 by Dravin
NeuroTypical Posted June 15, 2010 Report Posted June 15, 2010 But my question is, don't you think they over reacted getting all upset and "yelling" (typing in all caps) in the chat room?So, the veiled threats are ok, but the sin of using all caps is what's disturbing you? Kind of whacked-out priorities there, don't you think?Anyway, to answer your question, your ascii art could easily be interpreted as something pornographic. Imagine for a minute, someone posting some ascii art of a naked person and telling you it's a picture of Jesus. Or how about a tasteless way of calling Joseph Smith a pedophile? You might be a bit miffed. You might do the online version of shouting and showing anger.I'd like to say that most Christians would not make veiled threats, and none of them would try to make good on their threats. But I'm sure some might. However, I am of the opinion that there are a far greater number of Muslims in the world who would consider or try violence than Christians for such an offense. Like a big hefty order of magnitude greater.LM
Suzie Posted June 15, 2010 Report Posted June 15, 2010 Steve, I don't know, what I don't get is...KNOWING how Muslims feel about this issue, with paintings, cartoons, etc of Muhammad why in the world would you say "Hey here a picture of Muhammad"? . Sounds almost like you was teasing them to me even if you wasn't. Again, I am interested in knowing the conversation PRIOR to this incident.
pam Posted June 15, 2010 Report Posted June 15, 2010 Steve I wouldn't think that a little veiled death threat would be a big deal after all you've been through in the last year.
Vanhin Posted June 15, 2010 Report Posted June 15, 2010 Steve, I don't know, what I don't get is...KNOWING how Muslims feel about this issue, with paintings, cartoons, etc of Muhammad why in the world would you say "Hey here a picture of Muhammad"? . Sounds almost like you was teasing them to me even if you wasn't. Again, I am interested in knowing the conversation PRIOR to this incident.Because that's their problem not Steve's. We shouldn't walk on eggshells around people that behave like that.Vanhin
Dravin Posted June 15, 2010 Report Posted June 15, 2010 (edited) Because that's their problem not Steve's. We shouldn't walk on eggshells around people that behave like that.VanhinThere is a difference between not sharing someone's issues and being rude though. For instance I find pornography and certain words offensive, people are however free to use them and view pornography and I don't expect the world to refrain from these things for my benefit. However someone knowing my issue with those words and pornography it is rude for them to just say, "Hey, by the way, *&^%*." or to shove a Hustler in my face. Of course I wouldn't then issue a death threat I'd just write you off as a person I want to spend time around. I imagine the propensity for death threats creates a tu quoque reaction for a lot of people as issuing death threats is extremely rude, which unless I'm mistaken is what you are aiming at with the latter half of your comment. Edited June 15, 2010 by Dravin
Vanhin Posted June 15, 2010 Report Posted June 15, 2010 There is a difference between not sharing someone's issues and being rude though. For instance I find pornography and certain words offensive, people are however free to use them and view pornography and I don't expect the world to refrain from these things for my benefit. However someone knowing my issue with those words and pornography it is rude for them to just say, "Hey, by the way, *&^%*." or to shove a Hustler in my face. Of course I wouldn't then issue a death threat I'd just write you off as a person I want to spend time around. I imagine the propensity for death threats creates a tu quoque reaction for a lot of people as issuing death threats is extremely rude, which unless I'm mistaken is what you are aiming at with the latter half of your comment.It's not about whether it is rude or not. It might have truly been rude to them. Their reaction is not justified nonetheless, and I would not cower in fear over it. That is exactly what they hope to achieve. Fear.Regards,Vanhin
Soulsearcher Posted June 15, 2010 Report Posted June 15, 2010 Because that's their problem not Steve's. We shouldn't walk on eggshells around people that behave like that.VanhinSo being respectful of a persons religious beliefs is not something a good LDS person would aim for? Odd i thought there was an article of faith or something that addresses that. Walking on egg shells and being respectful are very different. So i guess something sacred like temple ceremonies is ok to talk about because even though LDS find it sacred, one doesn't need ot respect that?
Vanhin Posted June 15, 2010 Report Posted June 15, 2010 So being respectful of a persons religious beliefs is not something a good LDS person would aim for? Odd i thought there was an article of faith or something that addresses that. Walking on egg shells and being respectful are very different. So i guess something sacred like temple ceremonies is ok to talk about because even though LDS find it sacred, one doesn't need ot respect that?It's not about whether it is disrespectful or not. It might have truly been disrespectful towards them. Their reaction is not justified nonetheless, and I would not cower in fear over it.The question is "Did they overreact?" The answer is "yes".Regards,Vanhin
Soulsearcher Posted June 15, 2010 Report Posted June 15, 2010 It's not about whether it is disrespectful or not. It might have truly been disrespectful towards them. Their reaction is not justified nonetheless, and I would not cower in fear over it.The question is "Did they overreact?" The answer is "yes".Regards,VanhinSome one taunted them and disrespected them and they reacted. The OP hasn't said word for word what the threats were so until he does i won't make the call. I've seen LDS get pretty huffy when someone goes out of their way to trash things sacred or even bring them up in public. Including yelling and insulting. So until we know all the details i won't say they over reacted.
pam Posted June 15, 2010 Report Posted June 15, 2010 Before a debate continues on with the coulda shoulda woulda..we don't know really if there were the veiled threats either. With the history of the OP's threads on this site...every thread is drama. I'll leave it at that.
Dravin Posted June 15, 2010 Report Posted June 15, 2010 (edited) It's not about whether it is rude or not.Okay I misread you then. Usually I see that phrase used to justify behavior that is known to be rude to people (i. e. We'll call their Down's Syndrome Kid a retard, no need to walk on eggshells). I take it then you were limiting it to talking about being in fear of their reaction? If so I agree, both in that we shouldn't refrain from rude behavior out of fear (we should out of politeness) and cowing to intimidation only reinforces the behavior, particularly we shouldn't cow over internet threats from random people on IRC. Their reaction is not justified nonetheless, and I would not cower in fear over it. Regards,VanhinHas anyone been maintaining their reaction is justified though? Or did I just catch you in Op Ed mode? Edited June 15, 2010 by Dravin
Dravin Posted June 15, 2010 Report Posted June 15, 2010 Before a debate continues on with the coulda shoulda woulda..we don't know really if there were the veiled threats either.With the history of the OP's threads on this site...every thread is drama. I'll leave it at that.Just think of this thread as a discussion about your favorite Soap Opera. Should Jennifer have really left Robert? *dum dum dum*
Vanhin Posted June 15, 2010 Report Posted June 15, 2010 It's the same exact thing as I tell my children, if one continues to annoy the other to the point that they just can't take it any longer, the are still not justified in threatening or actually hitting, biting, pulling hair, etc... in retaliation. Further, one child should not live in physical fear of the other, or their parents, just for saying something. Regards, Vanhin
Dravin Posted June 15, 2010 Report Posted June 15, 2010 (edited) It's the same exact thing as I tell my children, if one continues to annoy the other to the point that they just can't take it any longer, the are still not justified in threatening or actually hitting, biting, pulling hair, etc... in retaliation. Further, one child should not live in physical fear of the other, or their parents, just for saying something.Regards,VanhinOh I concur completely. What I was saying was:1. Don't knowingly insult people, it is rude.2. They are overreacting, death threats are just a crazy reaction.I was focusing more on #1, you were focusing on #2. Edited June 15, 2010 by Dravin
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