Signs of sanity from...France?

French newspaper France Soir has jumped into the frying pan with the Danes, publishing the set of 12 cartoons depicting Allah and Mohammed which has inflamed the Islamic world. Boycotts have been threatened, ambassadors have been recalled and numerous fatwas have undoubtedly been issued.

From BBC News:

Under the headline "Yes, we have the right to caricature God", France Soir ran a front page cartoon of Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim and Christian gods floating on a cloud.

It shows the Christian deity saying: "Don't complain, Muhammad, we've all been caricatured here."

The full set of Danish drawings, some of which depict the Prophet Muhammad as a terrorist, were printed on the inside pages.

The biggest problem I have with Islam, other than it being a stagnant and barbaric religion/culture which stifles the human spirit, is the Muslims expect everyone to behave as though Islam is the universal basis for human interaction. Here's a clue Mohammed: I'm not a believer in the god of my friends and associates - why the hell should I care about kowtowing to your beliefs?

If I could draw, I'd publish a big old picture of Allah sitting on the celestrial toilet, defecating a missile into the toilet bowl which is the Middle East. Maybe Mohammed could be riding the missile, a la (not allah) Slim Pickens in Dr. Strangelove. That certainly would earn me at least a slimwa wouldn't it, if not a fatwa?

The point is, if you don't like the comics in the newspaper, don't buy it...no one's forcing you to. If you don't think Allah or his prophet should be drawn or depicted in print, then don't draw him or depict him. See, this is how differing cultures get along...they observe their beliefs within their culture, without trying to force them on others.

It may be a hard lesson for Islam to learn.

Update: Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain have also gotten into the act.

Update #2: I spoke too soon. Someone found out there was a French newspaper editor with balls and fired him. Whew! I thought I was going to have to change my perception of France!