Horrible people.

Why couldn't they find the makers of the film in question, and kill them? I doubt they would be missed.

Ignorant fanaticism? Were their strings being pulled? Who knows?

JO4 Re your second post, are you really advocating religious censorship by murder?

I was tempted to look for the film on youtube but felt life is too short. how come all these people have nothing better to do than scour the internet for insults.Same with Salman Rushdie-could never be bothered to read his books even out of curiosity.I think JO4 is being humorous absentg

Stansgran Did you think that comment was funny?

Of course not absent. I just feel so angry that a decent man, men in fact, have been murdered by these idiots.

Yes annodomini was the date a coincidence? Or not?

absent - do you really find it that difficult to understand where people are coming from?

It is because I think you are fundamentally a kind person that I queried your shocking suggestion JO4. I would agree that it is wrong that this man and others have been murdered by "these idiots" and add that I consider all murder to be wrong, whatever level of decency applies to the victim.

On slightly the same theme, a programme about Islam for Channel 4 put together by historian Tom Holland who wrote the books Rubicon and Persian Fire has been withdrawn due to a backlash. I think this is somewhat ridiculous, but understandably he is nervous about continuing with it as it hasn't been well received by some. Having been brought up a Catholic, I know that this religion isn't always depicted in a favourable light, and rightly so given it's many shortcomings. It seems to me that a more fanatical element of Islam cannot bear to see their religion portrayed warts and all as lets face it most faiths do have a downside.

Tolerance and respect of others belief systems has to be balanced against a society's right to free speech and self expression, we have to learn to live with each other, perhaps not in perfect harmony, but at least with mutual respect.

Sadly, successive governments, particularly our own, have tried the `softly softly` approach with oil being the big concern. `Softy, Softly` just means petrol on the fire with this type of terrorism. With America regarded as the Great Satan it is understandable (BUT NOT ACCEPTABLE) that America will be attacked in this way.
So, is it a case of the big exchange - oil or freedom of thought and speech?

This has happened to America because the film was produced by an American citizen. The Arab nations do not have the same level of what we in the west 'percieve' to be sophistication and the right of free speech, etc. etc. They do not understand or want to understand that it was not the American State who made the film. This could either be because they have never had the opportunity of living in a democratic way and simply could not comprehend the state could not possibly be behind it or there is a systemic attack by the likes of the Muslim Brotherhood to cause trouble against anything that is not islamic, they do not want democracy for their country after all.

If this film had been made by a citizen of France, Switzerland or Outer Mongolia the reaction would probably have been the same if the cause for the trouble is solely because the film was blasphemous against their prophet, which it obviously was.

The film was made to cause maximum trouble and those who made it knew exactly the reaction it would cause. We all saw what happened with the Danish cartoons. The really scarey thing is how easy it is to ignite trouble and pass the blame onto any country in the world. The Americans were murdered and let's not forget their poor families please.

No not funny but suggesting that they seek out and kill other people is weird and I took it to mean she was being hypothetical and exasperated at the narrowness of the islamic rentamob.

Who's this "she" then Stansgran?!

Sorry JO4- thought it carried on as a reply should have said he/she/it but had deduced you were female from the hairs on your chinny chin chin on another thread and I find the asterisk name asterisk a bit long winded when I am short of time

Well, I am a 'she'!

But a name is nice.

From what I heard on the radio it seems no one really knows who produced this film and that the clip on YouTube is very badly dubbed. The actors had no idea this is what the film was about.

I do wonder what the motivation is for the people/person who produced this film. Why be deliberately provocative?

Yes of course murder is always wrong.

Although one might have mixed feelings about the film, the right to free expression is cherished in the West. After all every other religion gets a `thrashing` from time to time; coming in for ridicule and vilification. So why should one religion stand out as `off limits`.

It is quite possible that the film maker `pushed the envelope` because they do not like the imposed censorship that is not afforded other religions.

This mob mentality within Islam is deeply troubling. Remember the young Christian lass in Pakistan who was framed by the local imam, who put torn religious texts in her bag, then incited a lynch mob against her? He got what he wanted - most local Christians fled, the lass was arrested, and is still only bailed, not exonerated. She was in danger of being burned alive until she was taken into police custody!

Then a similar mob murdered the US ambassador along with three other staff! Oh, and on the 9/11 anniversary too. NOT a coincidence imho. Other mobs are baying outside other US embassies as i write.

No wonder many people have negative feelings about Islam - most Muslims are peace-loving, but somehow that religion has some truly evil followers, especially in the Middle East, who use it as an excuse for hate-filled violence against the so-called infidel.

I'm just sick to the teeth with it all. Roll on alternative energy supplies and systems, so that we can leave those countries alone.

Sadly the uneducated are easily stirred to mob violence. Remember the mob who stormed a paediatrician's house in this country, thinking that was the same as a paedaphile?

Someone called Sam Bacile is reported to be the writer, director and producer of the film that has stirred up all this trouble. He claims to be an Israeli Jew living in California and that the film, costing £3.3 million, was financed by more than 100 Jewish donors. He also claims that the film, depicting the Prophet Mohammed as a violent womaniser, is political rather than religious and states that Islam is a cancer. He says that he has gone into hiding. He is reported as saying that he plans to make a series of films on the same subject. JO4's description of him as an idiot seems wholly appropriate. It applies too to Pastor Terry Jones of Qu'ran burning notoriety who is promoting this film.

It is so depressing this hatred. Why can't everyone just practise their religion in peace and harmony and let others do the same? Who invented religion?

According to PM on radio 4 yesterday Sam Bacile does not exist! Apparently this name is just a front and no one has discovered who is really behind it. I haven't heard the news today so maybe more is known now.

The film is on you tube. (I'd better not put a link. Don't want GN getting a wotsit like Salmon Rushdie did).

It's not Bafta material.