It is not my intention to give a drawn out explanation of
the muslim mind-set

Good - leave that to muslims, be they radical, extremist
or moderate.

Hmm � is that a universal attitude you have? Would
you not try to understand what the far-right in America
believe in order to understand their actions. Are we not
allowed to disect their axioms? This is all getting to be
one rule for one party and another rule for everyone
else.

As for the police actions � they are under extreme
pressure from the likes of Ken Livingstone to not
appear 'Islamophobic', so I'm sorry � the fault does lie
with political correctness.

Could I just point out that I do not want to be
'Islamophobic' myself - the aim of my article is to
highlight the growing problem of artists wanting to
discuss religious ideas in their art. Anyone who knows
me will have heard me attack the Church for its
opposition to creative discussion � it was, after all,
Christians who closed down the poetry event at which I
spoke, but mainly non-christian audiences have been
very appreciative of my work and understood the
position I am coming from.

I would like the art forum to be a place where
discussion and dialogue can happen without resorting
to dogma and confrontation � in the 21st century I think
we need it. I would not go out of my way to offend a
Muslim, but I also will not be gagged by political-
correctness or threats of Muslim violence from
discussing religious ideas as an artist. Those who do
so whilst claiming to love freedom are, in my opinion,
hypocrites and cowards.

As for the Jerry Springer Opera debate I found the
piece unnecassarily offensive. The promoters have
admitted it was their aim to cause offence as a
marketing manouvre. Most of the protest from
Christians has been at best counter-productive, and at
worst plain evil with death threats which I would
denounce unequivocally.

Personally I also, from what I saw on TV, thought the
opera asked some very important questions about life
and God which everyone should be free to ask out
loud.

I'd like now to thank RAG for the opportunity to post
these replies.

---
artist, writer, thinker�