#muslimrage

"They should drop him off in the middle of the Middle East, and let them handle it!" "They should really make him pay!" are the comments I've heard from friends regarding the man behind the YouTube video INNOCENCE OF MUSLIMS. Though hatred and intolerance is an everyday occurrence, I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed in how people around the world have reacted this week to the ugliness that surrounds them. 

Though some might make hurtful, negative, offensive, or outright false claims, our reactions carry just as much weight and consequence. I tried telling a friend my experience viewing Sam Bacile's film. It's downright awful. But I've seen worse in anti-Semitic and anti-Mormon materials. I’ve heard worse Anti-“JAP” comments growing up as well. Do these negative and ugly comments warrant violence or rioting? And should any governing body or extensions thereof apologize or take any stance on this latest of offensive video posted on YouTube? I personally think NO to both of those questions. Sure, I don’t always agree with people that think every Japanese person is clueless about the war crimes Japan committed against the Chinese…I could try to explain what I have learned, and what I know, but in the end all I can do is try to reason, and if that doesn’t work, just smile and move on.

I came across this article today in the WSJ article. It pointed out that, "After the debut of "The Book of Mormon" musical, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints responded with this statement: 'The production may attempt to entertain audiences for an evening but the Book of Mormon as a volume of scripture will change people's lives forever by bringing them closer to Christ.'"

Whether in Japan, China, Libya, or America there will be hatred, intolerance, etc. All I can do is hope people will take sec before posting things online, but I also hope people will also reflect before countering. And yes, this includes myself…since sometimes I too “shoot before I aim.”