I THINK SHE'S MAKING A POINT FOR CIVILITY
Ann Althouse compares the real Comedy Central censorship of South Park's Mohammed in a bear costume with the imaginary censorship of Andres Serrano's Piss Christ in the '80s.
Here's a tip for the prof: when making a comparison, it helps if some similarities between the events exist.
Originally posted at DBKP: Bogus Comparison: South Park and Piss Christ
From "Everybody draw Mohammed Day" not a good idea:
I don't like the in-your-face message that we don't care about what other people hold sacred. Back in the days of the "Piss Christ" controversy, I wouldn't have supported an "Everybody Dunk a Crucifix in a Jar of Urine Day" to protest censorship. Dunking a crucifix in a jar of urine is something I have a perfect right to do, but it would gratuitously hurt many Christian bystanders to the controversy. I think opposing violence (and censorship) can be done in much better ways.
Althouse must have a different history book than any in common use. Back in the 'Piss Christ' controversy days, the controversy was that there was no censorship and it was "arty" and "edgy" to trample on commonly-held religious beliefs.
But, there was no censorship. Displeasure was expressed, but Piss Christ rolled on, as did Andres Serrano.
If Serrano had wanted to really show his bona fides as an edgy artist, he'd have dunked a Koran in a jar of urine.
Of course, then Althouse would likely now be talking not of the "Piss Christ" controversy, but of the Piss Christ beheading.
by Mondo FRazier
