In France, Europeans marched in the streets, a solemn display of their intent to defend their right to express their opinions. In the Middle East, Muslims rioted over the public ridicule of their prophet and vowed revenge. A great divide exists between people who now live and work shoulder to shoulder.

While researching a minor character in a book I’m writing, I came across this quote by Senator William Borah.

“No more fatuous chimera has ever infested the brain than that you can control opinions by law or direct belief by statute, and no more pernicious sentiment ever tormented the heart than the barbarous desire to do so. The field of inquiry should remain open, and the right of debate must be regarded as a sacred right.”

The Senator said this in 1917.

Islam extremists despise the freedoms we hold dear. They fear losing control of the hearts and minds of their people.

The editors of Charlie Hebdo had the courage of their convictions. They believed that all religions need to be called out for the harm their leaders do in the name of their prophets. In their zeal, they satirized Islam’s prophet, using his image as a symbol for the radical action of his followers.

Satire, by its nature, is provocative. Is it art? I am using literary critic John Gardner’s definition of art as an expression of Beauty, Truth and Goodness that that seeks to improve life, not debase it. By that definition, there is likely some truth in what Charlie’s artists portray (I have not seen the cartoons). More to the point, liberty improves life. Thought control debases life. That said, satirical cartoons have their purpose, but they are not great art.

A stronger affirmation of the value of life might be a ground swell of response in all the artistic disciplines, a campaign to champion works of art that display universal values of Beauty, Truth and Goodness, a movement to produce great works that elevate the human spirit. 

How we respond

In Christianity and Judaism, debate is a healthy part of religious thought. It challenges assumptions and strengthens faith. Islam radicals will have none of that, and their numbers are growing.

On tour in the Philippines, the Pope suggested that insult leads to injury. I don’t believe he meant to equate a punch in the nose for a rude remark with a massacre for a show of disrespect. I think his point was that when you poke a snake, you should expect the result to be deadly.

Ordinary Christians, Jews and Muslims stand together, I think, in their response to ridicule. We don’t go to movies that make fun our our faith or buy publications that offend our sensibilities. The rank and file of our numbers don’t demand that those not of our faith should refrain from mocking us on pain of death. We quietly practice our faith by showing respect to others. That is why, although I greatly admire the French solidarity in the name of freedom of speech, I am not Charlie.

There is a tsunami of pernicious sentiment hitting our shores. In an attempt to stem the tide, we can pass laws and conduct wars, but Jesus teaches that real change begins in the heart.

We have to learn how to have difficult conversations. At the same time, we must never give up our freedom to hold our own opinions. Too much is at stake.