Gimli the Infidel
Bring your pretty face to my ax!
Lord of the Rings actor John Rhys-Davies (Gimli) gets the fatwa treatment for speaking his mind regarding Islamic culture versus that of the West.
Outraged Islamic leaders in Wales demanded an immediate apology from Lord Of The Rings actor John Rhys-Davies, who claimed an increase in Europe's Muslim population was a "demographic catastrophe" threatening "Western civilisation". [SNIP]
[Rhys-Davies:] "Many do not understand how precarious Western civilisation is and what a joy it is.
"From it, we get real democracy. From it, we get the sort of intellectual tolerance that allows me to propound something that may be completely alien to you. [SNIP]
[Rhys-Davies:] "I don't think that Western society is opposed to Islamic society at all. I think a very important part of Islamic society is opposed to Western society.
"It is time that ordinary Muslims stood up to be counted.
"Most societies can benefit from a good stirring of genes, but most cultures are tolerant of each other. I do not see Buddhists throwing bombs into Christian churches, I do not see Christians blowing up Hindu temples, I do not see those sorts of challenges.
"When we are prepared to overlook certain things because we don't want to rock the boat, this is wrong. The greatest act of racism is to expect that other people will not behave according to your values and standards.
"Yes, I am for dead, (traditional) white male culture. It's pretty damn good, pretty damn marvellous, pretty wonderful. That's not to exclude other cultures, but it's not to diminish mine."Draw your own conclusions.
(Thanks to LGF)
There is a definite connection between this post and the one immediately prior to it:
In my humble opinion, one culture (or gender) cannot expect the respect of another by bashing them over the head with it.
Just an immediate thought when reading your thoughtful posts. Thanks for letting me share.
Posted by: margi | January 19, 2004 at 11:57 PM
"Yes, I am for dead, (traditional) white male culture. It's pretty damn good, pretty damn marvellous, pretty wonderful." Me too, and I'm a Chinese who's supposed to be boastful of their 5000 years old culture. If China has not embraced the "dead white male" culture, they would still be glorifying Mao and starving their people. So lighten up Muslims, even the Chinese got it.
Posted by: ic | January 20, 2004 at 12:58 AM
Pretty clear thinking for a tossed dwarf. Might even forgive him for Sliders.
Posted by: JSAllison | January 20, 2004 at 11:14 AM
That is one brave and clear-headed man...dwarf...Egyptian excavationist...whatever.
Unfortunately, Rhys-Davies is probably correct that he's damaged his cinematic career with his candor. But that's the nature of the entertainment business. All those individualists, marching in lockstep...
Must get another drink.
Posted by: Francis W. Porretto | January 20, 2004 at 02:25 PM
I don't see anything wrong with being proud of your own culture. Isn't that what everyone else gets to do? Why should it be any different for a white male?
Posted by: Ginny | January 20, 2004 at 04:20 PM
You should run for office Juliette. If I lived in California (perish the thought) I'd vote for you in a heartbeat:-)
Posted by: Jason Bontrager | January 20, 2004 at 05:42 PM