More on 'Tempo' blasphemy

Mon, 02/25/2008 12:02 PM  |  Reader's Forum

Not only do I strongly disagree with Muhammad Atif and his personal opinion in Don't print stuff by non-Muslims, but I would also like to offer a personal opinion of my own, in the hope that this may be able to quell the fiery flames of emotionally-charged discussions that may spring up between Muslims and Christians (and, God forbid, adherents of other religions and beliefs!).

Both Jesus Christ and the Prophet Muhammad are universally known and very highly venerated for their deep love of their fellow men, their profound wisdom, their immense patience, and the enormous understanding and tolerance they had and expressed toward their fellow humans and their mistakes. They knew very well that the darkness of hate, intolerance and ignorance will only breed more of the same, while the light of a wise, patient, and peaceful approach to differences in opinion will bring about a peaceful solution. For even a tiny light in a large, totally dark room will dispel the darkness therein.

The world would indeed become a much better place to live in if all of us closely studied the behavior of Jesus Christ and the Prophet Muhammad (and Buddha and other known highly evolved souls as well) and sincerely attempted to be more Christ-like and Muhammad-like in our daily behavior.

I personally believe the Prophet Muhammad and Jesus Christ, as very high beings, also had a wonderful, mature sense of humor, and would not at all be offended by cartoons or pictures, whether these are in good taste or not.

They are too spiritually advanced for that. We, as mere humans who sincerely try to follow their sterling example, would do well to cease the narrow-minded bickering about trivial matters and, instead, concentrate on those matters that God Almighty and the Prophets do consider important, such as world peace and the solving of all problems now besetting the Earth.

As a forum for mind-broadening, refreshing open discussions and a free exchange of opinions, The Jakarta Post is doing extremely well!

If Muhammad Atif desires a newspaper in which only material he approves of is printed, I'd like to suggest that he establishes one of his very own.

TAMI KOESTOMO
Bogor

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