Why are Muslims so little able to tolerate criticism, particularly in the form of satire?

Question

Why is it that in the 21st century among members of all the major world religions Muslims appear to be least able to tolerate any representation of their tenets and beliefs which is the least bit critical or satirical? Historically speaking, I don't believe this was always true. Or am I wrong about that? What about the Sufis? Or is Sufism not strictly considered a part of Islam?

powderblu...-Thank you for your contribution here. I much appreciate it. The question in my mind remains, however. Satire is simply criticism using humor to get the point across. To Westerners and many Orientals the addition of humor makes it easier to take the criticism. It's like the expression, "A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down." But Muslims don't view the humor as sugar. They view it as poison. So are they just lacking a sense of humor? I'm not making fun here. I consider this a very serious point, one which may contribute much to the seemingly impassable cultural divide between Islam and the West.

I just found the following joke on a website for Muslim youth, about Muslim youth, written and developed by Muslim youth and I thought I'd include it here because I think it rather an excellent joke and actually a form of satire. I really think it quite clever and funny. Of course it is true that this satire is directed against the American media, not against Western religions. But it does prove Muslims capable of satire.

Here is the joke:

"A man is taking a walk in Central park in New York. Suddenly he sees a little girl being attacked by a pit bull dog . He runs over and starts fighting with the dog. He succeeds in killing the dog and saving the girl's life. A policeman who was watching the scene walks over and says: "You are a hero, tomorrow you can read it in all the newspapers: "Brave New Yorker saves the life of little girl" The man says: - "But I am not a New Yorker!" "Oh ,then it will say in newspapers in the morning: 'Brave American saves life of little girl'" – the policeman answers. "But I am not
an American!" – says the man. "Oh, what are you then? " The man says: - "I am a Saudi !" The next day the newspapers says: "Islamic extremist kills innocent American dog."

I really think that's wonderful. Here is the source:

http://youth.ibn.net/humor3.asp?id=48...

Wow! Here's even a Muslim joke poking fun at the Christian God:

Once a missionary on his way to run some errand hired a rickshaw. The rickshaw-puller happened to be a Muslim. The christian preacher began to preach the Gospel to the R.P. The rickshaw puller got annoyed and asked the preacher "How many sons did God have?" The missionary answered "One". At this the rickshaw puller got more annoyed and said "I am a thirty year old poor rickshaw puller, I have twelve children. If your God is really as great as you claim him to be, then how come he has only one son?"

http://www.answering-islam.de/Main/Humor/muslim.html

Now I see nothing wrong with that joke. But when the tables are turned....?

It has been well said that laughter is the best medicine. And I'm thinking the world is more likely to be saved by humor than by any religion.

Answer 1

I do not think this is true of a lot of Muslims. Again it is the fundamentalists who create the uproar. I know Muslims who have a great sense of humour and do not mind if fun is aimed in their direction. There are plenty of comedians who tell Jewish jokes, Irish jokes and Dave Allen was always taking the mickey out of the Pope and the Catholic faith. It is all good natured fun and if Muslims cannot accept this I feel sorry for them.If people do not have a sense of humour there is no hope. People should be able to laugh at each other provided it is not done vindictively. There is humour in every aspect of life and without it the world would be a much sadder place.

Answer 2

Muslim character is being distinguished by being constant since the appearance of Islam and that's how should be the belief be constant not affected by the time. Muslims believe in Christianity and Judaism and Muslims never criticized or satirized other religion's representation and so Muslims don't accept any such action to Islam. Who criticized Islam don't have deep realization about Islam relief and who have it couldn't prove anything against Islam like orientalists and therefore Muslims can accept any kind of scientific and dimocratic dialogue from any body or organization not like what the Danish media showed mockery against Muslim's prophet.

Answer 3

Most Muslims tolerate criticism but most of them ,and I don't justify the violence, don't tolerate satire.

Criticism is acceptable by the majority sane Muslims! while making fun of God or the Messenger is not acceptable, some express their anger by violence which is not acceptable in Islam, and some express it by discussion and other peaceful means.

Think of it this way, what if someone riduculed your father, or mother? (sorry for the example) God and the Messenger are dearest to Muslims than their own parents.

Answer 4

More than thirty years ago one of the worlds greatest philosophers made a pronunciation that explained almost all of mans problems. Here's what it was:
" RELIGION BREEDS INSANITY "

Answer 5

Because the towels on thier heads are so **cking tight that it has cut off oxygen and they have no sense of humor!