British teacher in Sudan on trial for insulting muslims.?

Question

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071129/ap_on_re_af/sudan_british_teacher

I won't pass judgment on the story because I don't know the entire story, nor nearly enough about the Muslim faith - but I wonder:
A: why is she teaching there in the first place? it sounds like Sudan is attempting to "westernize" by keeping British teachers after Sudan ceased being a British colony (?) - so if they want to "westernize"- isn't some religious berth/allowance a western tenet?
B: what actions in America, as an "affront to Christianity", would bring such a riotous ire by Christians (not that there'd be any judicial proceedings, as our freedoms protect us from religious persecution - supposedly lol) but what would bring riotous ire nonetheless? - one thing I could think of, is if there was a TV show comedy portraying Jesus as a homosexual or something - or a pornographic movie with a Biblical themed plot

of course there will always be religio-nutjobs on the fringe- but that's not my point

i'll reiterate the ?s:
A: why is she teaching there in the first place? (since they seemingly want to "westernize" why do they complain about allowing some religious tolerances?)
B: what actions in America, as an "affront to Christianity", would bring such a riotous ire by Christians?

answer #2 is on the right track - Temptation of Christ, Chocolate Jesus...
"Piss Christ" is another good example

as example-setting Christians should we cast stones of judgment on the actions of the Sudanese Muslim religious community? ;o)

>>Sinead<< O'Connor
Sade is a different fem-babe singer - but excellent answers there Cowboy

I guess many have also forgotten the anthrax letters/threats that were being sent to ob/gyns/clinics immediately prior to 9-11

Answer 1

Just reading that article gives me the impression these people aren't even fit to govern themselves. I think they would profit from still being under colonial rule.

Sub-Saharan Africa has been described by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan as "a cocktail of disasters." That is not because colonialism in Africa lasted so long, but because it lasted a mere half-century. It was too short a time to permit Western institutions to take firm root.

Consequently, after their independence, most African nations have retreated into a kind of tribal barbarism that can be remedied only with more Western influence, not less. Africa needs more Western capital, more technology, more rule of law, and more individual freedom.

Putting a teacher on trial for something this nutty exposes the nightmarishly simplistic thinking of that government. They obviously need more teachers like her to educate the masses.

Answer 2

There is no comparison at least in the 20th/21st century. To see extremist Christian acts of violence you can look at what happened to Joseph Smith who was lynched by an anti-Mormon mob.

The difference is the fact is that the woman is being tried by the government of Sudan for violating a religious law.

Answer 3

A. She was help educate them and naming the bear was up to the class.

B. I like to know the last time Christians demanded someone to die and had people whip for making an afront to Christianity.

There a show on TV that was afront to Christians and guess what they did call for death or flogging people but ask the show to be pulled.

So try again Buckwheat.

Answer 4

There is no reason for anyone to feel the need to be careful on what you say about this subject because she is being treated unfairly. So what she named a teddy bear a name? Plenty of average men have that name too. And if she's against islam then what is she doing living there? She obviously has nothing against islam but Britain needs to step up and do something about this.

Answer 5

Poor Teddy. Perhaps the government of the Sudan ought to lighten up and realise that:

a) Children love Teddy bears;

b) They are going to name them after people they love.

A point which was made by the head of the Muslim Council this morning on BBC1 News.

Answer 6

the problem is not religion, the problem is committing violence and hatred and intolerance in the name of religion.

this case is ridiculous. makes me so mad. map props to teachers who take care of kids in dangerous countries. you won't find me there. of course, they wouldn't let me in because i'm jewish, anyway.

you don't really see any other religion besides islam and christianity being that intolerant and violent towards people of other faiths doing things of which they don't approve. (of course there are christians who call for the death of homosexuals and gynecologists, and who sometimes act on it.)
pathetic. but let's not condemn all religion, huh? you don't see buddhists doing this sort of thing.

Answer 7

I'll pass judgment - Islam is not a religion. It's a system of government based on Sharia Law. Sharia law is barbaric and should be eliminated, along with those who advocate it. End of story.

Answer 8

Extreme beliefs have always caused chaos in the world. Moderation and compassion is the directions for a peaceful world .

Answer 9

If they attempted to try everyone who insulted a muslim on YA Politics there would not be many left.

Answer 10

More from the religion of 'tolerance'



EDIT: What Holy Cow doesnt seem to understand is that those 'death threats' as described didnt come from the sitting government. Huge difference sugar.