Home Gaming The other side of the story – Religious Tolerance

The other side of the story – Religious Tolerance

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Time for the other side of the story in the Little Big Planet recall saga. Speaking to Edge, M. Zuhdi Jasser, M.D., president of the non-profit American Islamic Forum for Democracy, expressed his opposition to this form of censorship…

“Muslims cannot benefit from freedom of expression and religion and then turn around and ask that anytime their sensibilities are offended that the freedom of others be restricted. The free market allows for expression of disfavor by simply not purchasing a game that may be offensive. But to demand that it be withdrawn is predicated on a society which gives theocrats who wish to control speech far more value than the central principle of freedom of expression upon which the very practice and freedom of religion is based.

“…We [the AIFD] do not endorse any restriction whatsoever on the release of this videogame but would only ask those with concerns to simply choose not to buy it. We would hope that the producer’s decision not be made in any way out of fear but rather simply based upon freedom of expression and the free market.”

I honestly can’t say I don’t agree with him, I didn’t mind the track at all. Seem’s this whole thing has just been blown way out of proportion. It’s nice to know that there are two completely different views on this issue coming from similar groups of people.

[Ed: I would just like to add in that I thought the track was horrible… I had no idea what the guy was signing but sounded like someone strangling a cat… am I the only one who thinks that?]

Last Updated: October 22, 2008

3 Comments

  1. baba

    October 23, 2008 at 08:02

    I agree with him 100%. If Harry Potter offends you, don’t buy it.

    Reply

  2. Bboy

    October 23, 2008 at 09:32

    I think the song is pretty kak… especially compared to that awesome song that was in the initial teaser video we saw… *hums… It’s unfortunate that it just so happened to trod on religion, but I bet the guy who chose the track for inclusion in the first place had no idea what the words said and just ‘liked how it sounded’.

    It’s like some non-english speaking person adding in a Peaches, or Slip-knot track… although not religious, it is inappropriate for the game, considering it looks like alot of smaller kids are going to be playing it. Wasn’t the guy in the song that was pulled talking bout death and punishment?

    Reply

  3. DarthPenguin

    October 23, 2008 at 10:18

    I agree.. if something offends you.. don’t get it.. but then I got thinking.

    What happens if all the music in Gears was about how crap South Africa is and how all the people in our country are stupid and how the stupid people are going to other countries and bringing them down. And how afrikaans is the country’s downfall and how all afrikaans people should be shot and how our woman should be raped and killed.

    I know its a bit extreme.. but when something touches on religion it does become sensitive, and to them extreme… but if the music was like that.. I’m sure I would still want to play Gears 2.. but I would be offended by the music.. must I just miss the game because the music offends me? I would rather ask them not to put that music in in the first place.

    Maybe muslims also want to play the game but don’t want to hear that song (and I agree Lazy.. it is a crappy song).

    Reply

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