Why Does a Man in the USA Have To Go Into Hiding?

A Coptic

Christian

man from the Cerritos, CA area went into hiding with sheriff department aid.  He produced a film that depicts the Prophet Mohammed as a fraud,  philanderer, and child molester.  (according to an AP article from 18   Sep 2012 see:  Coptic Christians, Muslims Denounce Film, Violence - ABC News).

This (the U.S.) is the one country on the planet where one is able to freely practice a religion of one's choosing while having to speak out (or make a film) expressing his or her views and opinions.

In this same article, it talks about how the bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Southern California met with a "Muslim Leader" in Los Angeles:  Bishop Serapion and  Sr. Advisor/ Muslim  Public Affairs Council, Maher Hathout, held a press conference on the steps of L.A. City Hall.  The Bishop distanced his church from the issue:  "a few ignorant individuals do not represent the views of many Coptic Christians," and the Muslim Leader called the film-makers "psychologically diseased with hearts full of hate."  (Wow!  That's a lot of name-calling!  Makes me start to think maybe the "film-makers" are onto something.)

That's all fine, and perhaps we'd see simular outrage from certain Christian leaders if a "film-maker" produced a movie depicting Jesus in a homosexual relationship with the "disciple he loved"  or maybe telling the story of him as a free-love-communal-living-transient-revolutionary.

However, the artist who makes a provocative statement about the founder of the Christian Faith probably wouldn't have to go into hiding.  And, I'm also guessing that riots and uprisings wouldn't be breaking out in countries in some predominately Christian region of the globe.  (I think you can see the pattern I'm highlighting!)

Okay - so, in the USA, why should a man - Coptic or otherwise - have to go into hiding for making a movie that mocks Mohammed?  The respective religious leaders making stately announcements outlining their objections to the film, even uniting to do so, is at least understandable.  But.... Hiding?  ...really? (think:  Salman Rushdie!)

Now, I'm sure that if our fine young Islamic artists here in the U.S. made a film that conveys controversial views of the Christian Faith -EVEN MOCKING CHRIST HIMSELF- they would not find it necessary to go into hiding!  Surely it would draw the ire of the aforementioned Christian leaders, but endanger the producer of such a film?   ....probably not.  I'm again guessing, in fact it would probably be lauded for it's creativity in the popular press!

Oh, on a side note:  having the sheik-leader of Hezbollah speak out against the film on behalf of Islam is sort-of like having the Grand-Master-Dude of the KKK speak on behalf of Christians everywhere!  (just say'n!)

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