Ulysses, written by Mr. James Joyce, was considered an obscenity in this country until this day in history.
The church didn't appreciate this book one bit; and yet no one, as I understand it, was killed over it.
The real difference between then and now is that cultures underwritten by mysticisms have to be motivated to compartmentalize their religious faith against their faith in one another, and in how much faith they have that their religious foundations cannot be assailed in their hearts.
Catholics, for instance, have no reason to believe Charlie Hebdo revered them or their beliefs.
Still, they'd see no need for that to be a requirement for Hebdo's existence.
Devout Catholics may not have ever considered reading the magazine. However, they feel their devotion is unable to be lessened in their hearts, unless they do it personally. They are also quite certain their fellow citizens have no reason to care much what they say when they get on their knees.
Equally impactful- Catholics sense their faith is unassailable in this world. The Catholic imagination
is unable to believe Jesus might need, or want mortals to let blood for him.
If living is healthier than killing; then perhaps fundamentalists everywhere can learn to concentrate
on the former. And perhaps there are ways, through implanting precepts of the evolution of Christian martyrdoms in the pluralistic societies of our human conscience to convince people their
holy ones don't need people killing and torturing, and leaving the blame for the holy ones who never
did do any of that.
What to do?
Should we publish more stories of St. Stephen?
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