In the news today there are protests about the use of an image of the prophet Mohammed in a school. The teacher that did it has been suspended, some people want him fired.
Being brought up in Scotland the idea of images like this being offensive is not foreign to me. No – Scotland is not a Muslim country. I’m talking about the protestant reformation.
I was taught that a crucifix was idolatry – it was wrong to have an image of Jesus. A cross was acceptable, but when you add an image of Jesus it becomes unacceptable. Not too far from the ideas being put forward by some Muslims – in fact some of them would agree that a crucifix is idolatry (images of Jesus are unacceptable to some in the same way that images of the prophet are).
During the Scottish reformation all icons were fair game – they were destroyed all over the place. They also took issue with the King wearing a hat to church. This is why you will find most Church of Scotland kirks are plain. There are a lot of the ideas still current – in fact most Churches of England would be seen as unacceptable or idolatrous. And that includes the one I go to – and I find some of the ideas expressed there bordering on offensive (things like communion rails – the barrier that says only the special can approach God and the common people should be excluded).
So does this mean we should close all catholic schools because they have images that are offensive to died in the wool Scottish Protestants? Should the Church of England conform to Scottish protestant ideals?
Should the Islamic groups that are offended by images of the prophet – and images of Jesus – have the right to have them excluded from all schools? Should all teachers that wear a crucifix be fired?
I am prepared to accept that others might do and say things that I find offensive. Just because we differ does not mean I am right.
So do we have a right to offend? If not I would like to register that I am offended by protests at school gates – children should not be exposed to that.