Muslim-Americans’ reaction to Muhammad cartoons; The Spiritual Cinema Circle

In Tuesday’s RNS transmission we continue to report on Muslim reaction to the publication of Danish cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. Omar Sacirbey writes about Muslim-Americans’ conflicted feelings on the issue: Cartoons ridiculing the Prophet Muhammad as a terrorist and misogynist have offended Muslims in this country as they have Muslims worldwide. But the debate […]

In Tuesday’s RNS transmission we continue to report on Muslim reaction to the publication of Danish cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. Omar Sacirbey writes about Muslim-Americans’ conflicted feelings on the issue: Cartoons ridiculing the Prophet Muhammad as a terrorist and misogynist have offended Muslims in this country as they have Muslims worldwide. But the debate raging among Muslim-Americans on college campuses, the Internet and in Islamic media has its own unique flavor because of this country’s constitutional commitment to free speech. American Muslims are adamant in their support of exercising their First Amendment right to protest the drawings through boycotts and other peaceful means, but many are embarrassed by the torching of European embassies in the Middle East and other forms of violence that have accompanied some demonstrations.

A Web site offering films with spirit, not dogma, is appealing to folks looking for a more wholesome and fulfilling movie experience, reports Jeff Diamant in a story about the The Spiritual Cinema Circle: Fed up with Hollywood schmaltz and gore-not to mention pricey theater tickets-Zully Rosado of Passaic, N.J., took a step last year to find more fulfilling movie experiences. The law student joined The Spiritual Cinema Circle (www.spiritualcinemacircle.com). With about 20,000 members around the country, the group charges $21 a month for a DVD with four short movies that move her, she says, to contemplate the “Who are we? Why are we here?” questions of life. The Spiritual Cinema Circle’s co-founder says he picks the club’s four monthly selections-which can vary in length from 10 minutes to an hour and a half-with the aim of encouraging people to consider their own spirituality, regardless of their religion.

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