OT OpusX - in the name of the First Amendment to the Constitution, I will speak of anything I please at all.
A Fatwa can be declared only by a Mullah for offences against The Prophet.
"As an observant Muslim" you should know what you are speaking of, before you proclaim anything "with absolute authority". Contrary to your definition, a fatwa is a legal statement that can be issued on any question f.ex. involving marriage, inheritance, divorce etc. As a matter of fact, that is the MAJORITY of issues where a fatwa is issued. The relative importance of fatwa in most Muslim societies is quite insignificant, and of very limited power.
Here is a definition from a respected source:
lexicorient.com
"Fatwa
fatwâ [Play sound]
Fatwa is a legal statement in Islam, issued by a mufti or a religious lawyer, on a specific issue. Fatwas are asked for by judges or individuals, and are needed in cases where a issue of fiqh is undecided or uncertain. Lawsuits can be settled on the basis of a fatwa.
It is vital that a fatwa is not based upon the muftis or lawyers own will and ideas, he must render it in accordance with fixed precedent. Today, fatwas have limited importance in most Muslim societies, and are normally used only in cases of marriage, inheritance and divorce. The importance of a fatwa depends on its acceptance among most people, and if people don't care about it, it is in reality powerless."
You should also be aware of the fact, that a mere utterance (even if in a context that some observant Muslim might find offensive) is NOT a sacrilege that "risks serious consequences" in all circumstances. If the person uttering the ALLEGED sacrilege is NOT a Muslim, he is NOT held as committing an offence which demands consequence or redress. That, was btw., why had "Satanic Verses" been written by a NON-Muslim, the author would NOT have had a fatwa handed down. Check it out - since you seem to have very poor knowledge of Islamic legal issues. I, sir, am not a Muslim.
Further, it is ridiculous for you to claim that my use of the word "fatwa" was in any way sacrilegious. On what grounds, and under what authority do you make that claim? When I examine my usage of the word, it is clearly used in a non-religious context, and not meant to ridicule or insult a religion. It is exactly the same as if I said that I am issuing a "Papal decree" or such. It was meant jocularly, and with ZERO reference to any religion.
Perhaps YOUR hypersensitive sensibilities were offended, but that is YOUR problem - I cannot be responsible for your clear misinterpretation of my posts, and your FALSE interpretations of my intent.
Most importantly, it is not your place to "command" me to do anything, and you cannot command me to cease and desist from using any word I please - a word btw., which is neither vulgar or offensive in itself. Let me make you aware of the fact, that I can exercise my right of free speech EVEN IF it were offensive - which in this case it IS NOT. I am a citizen of the United States of America, and I enjoy all the freedoms guaranteed under our constitution. We are not living in a theocracy, we are not living in Iran, or Afghanistan - THANK GOD!!!! You will tell me NOTHING that will abridge my rights AS AN AMERICAN CITIZEN IN AMERICA. I take OFFENCE at your attempt to silence speech in THIS country. Speech btw, which is not offensive, nor was intended as such, and which you are in no position to speak of on behalf of Muslims anywhere.
I am forwarding this message to the Webmistress for appropriate action.
Go ahead, forward all you like - THIS IS AMERICA and as such it is your right to do so. I feel I have done nothing wrong, and I will strongly defend my rights here.
While you are forwarding my posts to the Webmistress, I will copy and bookmark your post in consideration of sending it to the FBI. You see, in America, it is a crime to threaten an American citizen with "serious consequences" for exercising their lawful rights under the constitution. If deemed either a personal threat, or TERRORIST threat, it will be YOU who will face "serious consequences", and let me add, that those will be LEGAL consequences. Come to think of it, the Webmistress may take a dim view of anyone issuing TERRORIST threats against another poster.
Finally, you have picked the wrong person to attempt to intimidate. I sir, am a red-blooded American, and proud of it. I will not let anyone from anywhere restrain me from exercising my rights under the constitution. Many Americans OF ALL FAITHS have fought for, and given their lives in defense of these right, so we may live in a FREE country without any power, governmental or RELIGIOUS suppressing those rights including those of free speech. Just recently, in the Cole incident, many fine Americans have died because fanatical individuals have taken it upon themselves to interpret "the will of Allah". I am very willing to fight to protect these rights, and I hereby notify you: I WILL SPEAK OF ANYTHING I PLEASE, WHENEVER I PLEASE, AND AS LONG AS I PLEASE. If you want a fight - I'm ready. I will NOT back down.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Morgan |
