Cartoon has Jesus, Muhammad kissing

[Shammu]

Cartoon has Jesus, Muhammad kissing
University paper stands by controversial image despite outrage from Muslim students, others
Posted: February 20, 2006
5:00 p.m. Eastern

© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com

Cartoon published in the Strand newspaper.

A university newspaper in Canada is defending its publishing of a cartoon showing Jesus and Muhammad kissing, saying it's not "an act of hate."

The Strand, the student paper of Victoria University, which is part of the University of Toronto, printed the controversial cartoon Wednesday. It shows the two revered religious figures kissing in the "Tunnel of Tolerance," with Jesus removing Muhammad's robe.

Nick Ragaz, managing editor for the Strand, wrote an editorial accompanying the image addressing the ongoing rage in the Muslim world over several cartoons depicting Muhammad that were published in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten. Nearly 50 people have died in Muslim nations as a result of riots protesting the cartoons.

One of the Jyllands-Posten cartoons.

Despite the Strand's decision to run the kissing image and complaints it has received since then, the publication has refused to run the 12 Muhammad cartoons that were first published in Europe.

"Publishing these cartoons seems to do little more than fan the flames of already-existing controversy," opined Aine O'Hare of the Strand.

In a online message, Ragaz said the cartoon was intended to provoke debate, dialogue and thought, and should not be understood to promote violence or hate, reported newssite ekkelsia.

"The cartoon is a sort of Canadian statement on religious tolerance," said Ragaz.

"This is not an act of hate," he said. "It's controversial, yes, but it's no attack."

Continued Ragaz: "We will not be pulling the issues from the stands or withdrawing the cartoon from our website.

My note; Luke 23:34 And Jesus prayed, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do..........

Edited to add; I don't want to hear y'all rioting, raising kane, but please pray for these poor fools.
Bob