Images of the Prophet

[john]

An interesting way of looking at the reasoning behind the ban on images of the profit.
Copied from Atheist Republic.

The image ban on Muhammad may on the surface appear to be a religious rule for Muslims. However, in reality, it is an attempt to control all people by generating fear of backlash.

Consider this scenario: Meet John and Sarah. John says to Sarah, "I have a deep respect for Dwayne and even the mention of his name by others offends me so much that I will kill people if they say it." Even if Sarah doesn't have personal affection for Dwayne, she will eventually start to respect his name - either out of fear or out of respect for John. Fear of John's reaction starts dictating Sarah's behavior, even though she doesn't share the same beliefs. John is able to use this as the thin edge of the wedge to gain other control over Sarah and everyone else around him. So next, John will state that Dwayne makes specific demands on him and he fears Dwayne's wrath so he has to do these things, and because he has to do these things, so does everyone else in the interest of harmony....and on and on it goes.

[Nearly Sane]

Surely the any rule no matter how specific is the same? Which makes the approach meaningless because it means the ruled of the allotments next to my work are the same. Why is this a Muslim topic in that case?

[john]

Eh?

[Nearly Sane]

There is nothing specific in any particular rule that makes it about a backlash, they all are predicated on that - so given that discussing 1 rule on the muslim board seems very odd to me.

[Outrider]

Basically, he's expanding your point to say that ANYTHING that is made taboo, or that social rules expect to be respected is lent power and authority because of that.

In respecting 'the rule' the subject of that rule is afforded a degree of respect, regardless of the nature of the rule. Pretty much all religions have introduced these sorts of taboos - whether because of this tendency for it to be treated with respect or not I couldn't possibly say, but it seems likely that as time has gone on and it's become more apparent, that it's been tempting for them.

Certainly, when it comes to Islam, it seems to underpin the idea that socially acceptable practices are determined by decree from Imams.

O.