Lady of Heaven

[DaveP67 is back!]

This will get folks on here going! I’m pretty middle of the road moderate but allowing this to happen is appalling. So much for freedom of opinion, free speech and a liberal UK, we are now so scared of causing upset that we listen to the fundamentalists and pull a film, which carries an anti extremist message and one that portrays a strong woman, shame on Cineworld and the mainstream press for burying the story in the back of the business pages.
Oh and Bradford will be the new city of culture! Ffs

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-61729392

[WBA123]

This will get folks on here going! I’m pretty middle of the road moderate but allowing this to happen is appalling. So much for freedom of opinion, free speech and a liberal UK, we are now so scared of causing upset that we listen to the fundamentalists and pull a film, which carries an anti extremist message and one that portrays a strong woman, shame on Cineworld and the mainstream press for burying the story in the back of the business pages.
Oh and Bradford will be the new city of culture! Ffs

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-61729392

I really don't like reading news stories like this because I feel it just stokes division in society. There's no doubt people like Farage and co are licking their lips at it.

For what its worth, I think these Muslim protestors have done the best bit of PR going for this film, which let's be honest - we would probably have never heard of had they not protested about it. Reminds me of that Father Ted episode when they went protesting to the cinema.

[Leicesterbaggie]

Don't know why this post was shown twice.

[Leicesterbaggie]

Yep, the best advert for this film. If these protesters had kept quiet the vast majority of the general public would know little or nothing about it. Funny old world that we live in!

[Omegstrat6]

Not quite as straightforward as it might seem. On one hand I personally believe that Muslims -and, indeed, people of any religion- need to realise that they have no right to impose their beliefs on anyone else and so calls of blasphemy are inherently meaningless because there is no scientific/empirical proof of their beliefs just their own beliefs in them. Moreover, surely anyone secure in any of their own beliefs (religious or otherwise) should not be afraid of being challenged on them and criticism of religious beliefs should be akin to criticism of political beliefs. However, Muslims believe that to have anyone try to represent the prophet Muhammad is exceptionally disrespectful whether he is depicted as an image, sculpture or -most of all--by an actor. This is what led to the Charlie Hebdo furore with the cartoon of Muhammad. To have an actor play the prophet would then be seen as a deliberate provocation by most Muslims whereas, for example, the long history of iconization of Christ would mean that an actor playing JC would not have the same impact on most Christians.

[Omegstrat6]

Forgot to add! You can surely make a film which very legitimately criticises aspects of Islam or Muslim extremism without deliberately provoking even moderate Muslims by having an actor play the prophet.

[kettering_baggie]

I think that it’s quire outrageous that peoples freedom to go and watch a film is curtailed because of a section of society that live their lives according to a fairy tale. If those people want to live in a society that prohibits free speech then they should not be living in this country where such ideas are alien; maybe they should emigrate to Afghanistan?

[DaveP67 is back!]

Not quite as straightforward as it might seem. On one hand I personally believe that Muslims -and, indeed, people of any religion- need to realise that they have no right to impose their beliefs on anyone else and so calls of blasphemy are inherently meaningless because there is no scientific/empirical proof of their beliefs just their own beliefs in them. Moreover, surely anyone secure in any of their own beliefs (religious or otherwise) should not be afraid of being challenged on them and criticism of religious beliefs should be akin to criticism of political beliefs. However, Muslims believe that to have anyone try to represent the prophet Muhammad is exceptionally disrespectful whether he is depicted as an image, sculpture or -most of all--by an actor. This is what led to the Charlie Hebdo furore with the cartoon of Muhammad. To have an actor play the prophet would then be seen as a deliberate provocation by most Muslims whereas, for example, the long history of iconization of Christ would mean that an actor playing JC would not have the same impact on most Christians.

The think is the film doesn’t portray Islam negatively, in fact it’s positive, just doesn’t fit the latter day jihaddist view!

[Albionic68]

They've probably done everyone a favour, sounds s hit anyway 😊 .

[WBA123]

Not quite as straightforward as it might seem. On one hand I personally believe that Muslims -and, indeed, people of any religion- need to realise that they have no right to impose their beliefs on anyone else and so calls of blasphemy are inherently meaningless because there is no scientific/empirical proof of their beliefs just their own beliefs in them. Moreover, surely anyone secure in any of their own beliefs (religious or otherwise) should not be afraid of being challenged on them and criticism of religious beliefs should be akin to criticism of political beliefs. However, Muslims believe that to have anyone try to represent the prophet Muhammad is exceptionally disrespectful whether he is depicted as an image, sculpture or -most of all--by an actor. This is what led to the Charlie Hebdo furore with the cartoon of Muhammad. To have an actor play the prophet would then be seen as a deliberate provocation by most Muslims whereas, for example, the long history of iconization of Christ would mean that an actor playing JC would not have the same impact on most Christians.

Lets be fair, we all want freedom of speech. But it has to be curtailed when it becomes hateful. I don't want extremist Muslims spouting on and claiming its free speech anymore than Tommy Robinson or Britain First producing a hate filled vengeful film and claiming the same. I'd expect both to be banned.

I know Muslims see it as sinful to depict this religious character - But its just judging where that line is.