Freedom To Offend

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 10 March 2025 One reader Peter is offended by my articles on the NAI site because they don't align with his brand of religious thinking. My last article on Satan, pooh-poohing its existence, came as the last straw on the camel's back and he decided never to visit this site again. Very well! Salman Rushdie would ask him: "What's freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist." Rushdie's quote impeccably encapsulates the essence of freedom of expression. In this thought-provoking statement, Rushdie highlights the indispensable role played by the freedom to offend in the preservation of this fundamental right. Freedom of expression loses its significance and potency if individuals are not allowed to challenge the prevailing notions, break taboos, or even offend certain sensibilities. It is through exposing and challenging ideas that progress, societal change, and the evolution of thought are ignited. Rushdie's quote serves as a reminder to protect and defend the freedom of expression in its entirety, even when it occasionally calls for discomfort or tension, as it is through these moments that a truly democratic and intellectually thriving society is formed. Remember, New Age Islam is not just visited by those who've learnt to believe blindly. It's visited by a wide range of readers, constituting devout believers, hardcore non-believers, lifelong atheists, agnostics and sceptics. You believe that Satan exists because your faith (read Christianity in this context) teaches you to think in all these fabled characters who never existed. But there're scores of people who don't accept the narrative of your faith. Shouldn't they express their doubts and views? Remember, people who don't exist are always available at the drop of a hat. It's interesting to note that the highly imagined or fictional characters like god, fairies, djinn, Houris, Satan etc. are always readily accessible to us (esp. to the believers). This highlights the boundless nature of storytelling, where invented beings occupy a world entirely shaped by the writer's or our troglodyte ancestors' imaginations. Unlike real individuals with tangible limitations, these non-existent figures can be summoned effortlessly, at any moment, to fulfil a narrative's needs. This not only underscores the power of fiction to create and manipulate characters but also alludes to the ever-present allure and availability of fantastical realms and their inhabitants. Most of us have become religiously so intolerant that counterviews are readily resisted and resented by the indoctrinated individuals who outnumber the rationalists. Grow up, my dear. ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/freedom-offend/d/134824 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism